Jell-o Sawdust Salad Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

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This JELL-O Sawdust Salad is another classic JELL-O recipe from the 1950’s that is found in most southern cooks’ recipe files. One of my daughter’s dear friends, Janice Martin, would sometimes serve this JELL-O dish at her potluck gatherings and it was always a hit.

The “sawdust” name for the salad comes from the effect of the suspended pineapple bits in the JELL-O and the cheddar cheese sprinkled on top.

Learn about the interesting history Gelatin, Gelatine, and JELL-O. Also Making Perfect Gelatin Tips.

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JELL-O Sawdust Salad Recipe:

Course:Salad

Cuisine:Southern

Keyword:JELL-O Sawdust Salad Recipe

Author: What's Cooking America

Ingredients

  • 3bananas,sliced
  • 1tablespoonlemon juice,freshly squeezed
  • 1(3-ounce) packageJELL-Olemon-flavoredgelatin
  • 1(3-ounce) packageJELL-Oorange-flavoredgelatin
  • 2cupsboiling water
  • 1 1/2cupscold water
  • 1(20-ounce) canpineapple,crushed, drained (reserve juice - should be about 1 cup)*
  • 1(16-ounce) packageminiature marshmallows
  • 1cup granulatedsugar
  • 5tablespoons all-purposeflour
  • 1egg,lightly beaten
  • 1(8-ounce) packagecream cheese,softened
  • 1containerwhipping creamor whipped topping (Cool Whip)
  • 1/2cupsharp cheddar cheese,grated

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, toss the sliced bananas with the lemon juice to prevent browning; set aside until ready to use.

Option 1 - Mix lemon and orange JELL-O flavors together along with bananas, pineapple, and marshmallows. This option saves preparation time.

  1. In a large bowl, mix together lemon and orange JELL-O. Add 2 cups boiling water and stir 2 minutes until dissolved. Stir in 1 1/2 cup cold water. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to a soft-set gelatin mixture.

  2. After 1 hour, remove gelatin mixture from the refrigerator and stir in the bananas and pineapple. Pineapple and bananas should look suspended or floating in the gelatin(it is fine for the marshmallows to float to the top). Pour the mixture into a glass serving bowl or a rectangular glass pan(you will be able to see the JELL-O and floating fruit). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until the gelatin mixture in hard set.

  3. Always store gelatin desserts in a covered container to avoid the formation of a thick rubbery skin on the surface.

Option 2 - Prepare separate layer for each JELL-O flavor and topping. I personally think this is the prettier way to serve this dish. I know, it takes more time to prepare - but if something is worth doing it is worth doing right!

  1. In a medium-size bowl, dissolve the lemon gelatin in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes with a rubber spatula until all the crystals are dissolved. Stir in 3/4 cup of cold water. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to a soft-set gelatin mixture.

  2. After 1 hour, remove lemon gelatin mixture from the refrigerator and stir in the pineapple. Pineapple should look suspended or floating in the gelatin. Pour the pineapple gelatin mixture into a glass serving dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 4 hours until the gelatin mixture is hard set.

  3. Once the lemon gelatin mixture is hard set, prepare the orange gelatin.

  4. In a separate bowl, mix together the orange gelatin with 1 cup boiling water, stirring 2 minutes with a rubber spatula until all the crystal are dissolved. Stir in 3/4 cup of cold water. Add the miniature marshmallows and stir to combine(marshmallows will float to the top and this is fine). Gently spoon the orange gelatin mixture over the top of the hard-set lemon gelatin. You do not want to pour the orange gelatin mixture over the top of the lemon gelatin layer as it will create a hole in the lemon layer. This will also lose the nice layered effect separating each gelatin color. So - gently spoon!

  5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to soft-set gelatin. After 1 hour, remove the orange gelatin from the refrigerator. Layer the top of the orange gelatin with the sliced bananas. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

  6. Store gelatin desserts in a covered container to avoid the formation of a thick rubbery skin on the surface.

  7. Prepare Toppings:

  8. Pineapple Topping- In a large saucepan over low heat, stir together the sugar, flour, reserved pineapple juice and beaten egg. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce just starts to boil and thicken(if cooked too quickly on high heat, the egg will separate). Immediately remove from heat when you see the sauce bubble up and start to rise. Pour the sauce into a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let cool in the refrigerator(you can speed up the cooling time in the freezer for 1 hour).

  9. Whipped Topping- In a separate mixing bowl on medium speed, beat together the whipped topping (or whipped cream) and cream cheese until soft peaks form. If making homemade whipping cream, add sugar to sweeten to taste. Set aside until ready to serve. Refrigerate if not serving immediately.

Option 3- Pineapple mixture can be folded into the prepared Whipped Topping and then spread over the top of the gelatin.

  1. To Serve:

  2. Approximately 1 hour before serving, remove the gelatin dessert from the refrigerator. Spoon the Pineapple Topping over the top of the Gelatin Dessert, spreading evenly to cover. Then spread the Whipped Topping over the top of the Pineapple Topping until the top is completely covered.

    Jell-o Sawdust Salad Recipe, Whats Cooking America (4)

  3. Cover with plastic wrap and place back in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese over the top for garnish right before serving.

Recipe Notes

* Do not use fresh pineapple as it contains protein-splitting enzymes that will prevent the gelatin from setting.

More Delicious Gelatin Salad Recipes:

Fiesta Carrot Pineapple JELL-O Salad
Here is a classic JELL-O recipe that is light and refreshing! This salad is also sometimes known as “Sunshine Salad.”

Tangy Tomato Aspic
This gelatin salad is a favorite family comfort food that we make and serve for Thanksgiving Dinner every year. Very easy to make and so good!

Applesauce 7-UP JELL-O Salad
The applesauce and 7-UP soda make this JELL-O a denser consistency. With the topping of the whipped cream mixture, it reminded my husband of Key Lime Pie flavors. We agreed it was just plain delicious and finished our plates!

Red Hot Applesauce JELL-O Salad
The Red-Hots are used to add a tasty cinnamon flavor to this JELL-O dish. This is a great side dish that many families like to serve at holiday meals to accompany ham or pork. Great served as a side dish and it looks so beautiful!

Related Recipes

Categories:

Bananas Jell-O Salads Pineapple Recipes

Comments and Reviews

3 Responses to “JELL-O Sawdust Salad Recipe”

  1. Armaan Shah

    This is truly an immaculate dish! whoever had the idea to combine thes mini marshmallows, bananas, canned pineapple, and cheese is a genius! my kids loved this.

    Reply

  2. Carolyn

    There are several sizes o whipped topping and whipping cream. Which size do I use?

    Reply

  3. Donna

    You can use coconut instead of cheese

    Reply

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Jell-o Sawdust Salad Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

FAQs

Why did people make Jello salads? ›

As World War II began, they were a way to "prove to you and your friends that you can still do luscious entertaining in spite of shortages and rations," as one wartime recipe for "Olive Relish" (olives, pickles, celery, and vinegar in lime Jell-O) declared.

What are the 5 basic types of salads? ›

The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination. The five basic salads that can be served throughout the course of a meal are starter, accompaniment, main course, intermezzo, and dessert.

What is composed salad made of? ›

It shows off the intense, irresistible vegetables, herbs and fruits of the season — but can also have rich components like cheese, eggs, toasted nuts and smoked fish or meat. With a loaf of (preferably grilled) bread, it is a meal in itself.

Why is Jell-O no longer popular? ›

Jell-O shifted to single-serve cups and more convenient options as competition for snacks and desserts grew. Kraft in the early 2000's shifted the focus of Jell-O's advertising away from kids and toward adults. It pitched sugar-free Jell-O, for example, as a treat for Atkins dieters.

Why were Americans obsessed with Jell-O? ›

In the first decades of the product's existence, American home cooks, who were primarily women, saw Jell-O as a timesaving wonder, as well as a way to impose order, turning the chaos of vegetables into decorative molded salads — “a kind of nonfood,” the culinary historian Laura Shapiro writes in “Perfection Salad: ...

What is the most popular salad in the United States? ›

Caesar salad is famous for its ingredients of romaine lettuce, olive oil, raw egg, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and Worcestershire sauce. Together, they make one of the most popular salads in the world.

Which salad green is the most popular one used in the USA? ›

Iceberg lettuce may be the most popular of all the salad greens, but it's definitely not the healthiest base you can choose. While the low calorie count is comparable to other greens, the nutrient totals are not, according to the USDA.

What's the most popular salad in America? ›

Caesar Salad

It is a popular choice in many American restaurants and is often served as a side dish or a main course. The Caesar Salad at Panera is a classic salad made with crisp romaine lettuce, tangy Caesar dressing, grilled chicken, Parmesan cheese, and crunchy croutons.

What's in Millionaire's salad? ›

ingredients
  1. 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling.
  2. 1 (8 ounce) carton Cool Whip.
  3. 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk.
  4. 1 (16 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained.
  5. 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges.
  6. 1 cup seedless grapes (optional)
  7. 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
  8. 1 cup mini marshmallows.

What is a salad that starts with W? ›

Waldorf salad is a favorite around here, particularly in the fall when apples and walnuts are in season. It's especially popular around the holidays, gracing many a Thanksgiving and holiday spread.

What is the best time to eat vegetable salad? ›

In India, the Ayurveda belief is to consume salad after serving the entrée to enhance digestion. According to the Ayurveda belief raw food is difficult to digest and should not be mixed with cooked food. This is why raw salads are eaten about 20 minutes before serving the main meal.

Why is it called a jello salad? ›

The name 'jello salad' comes from the genericization of the brand name Jell-O, a common gelatin product in the United States. The origins of jello salad can be traced back to a dish called 'perfection salad' ( c. 1904) by Mrs. John E.

What is an appetizer salad? ›

Appetizer salads – light, smaller-portion salads served as the first course of the meal. Side salads – to accompany the main course as a side dish; examples include potato salad and coleslaw.

What is a common ingredient in salad? ›

Most leafy vegetables that can be eaten raw are used: all varieties of lettuce, garden cress and watercress, endives, cabbage, spinach, escarole, romaine (cos), arugula, and fresh herbs. Other vegetables, raw or cooked—tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, peppers, beets, and so on—may garnish the green salad.

When did Jell-O salads become popular? ›

“Jell-O salads first became popular in the 1930s but reached their highest expression as part of the processed food school of cooking that sprang up after the war,” said Wyman. This was an era of packaged foods and TV dinners, and it was the golden age of gelatin desserts.

What was the original purpose of Jell-O? ›

Suffice it to say, it never did “jell” with the American public. In 1897, Pearle Wait, a carpenter in LeRoy, was developing a cough remedy and laxative tea in his home. He experimented with gelatine and came up with a fruit flavored dessert which his wife, May, named JELL-O.

What is the purpose of eating Jell-O? ›

Gelatin contains proteins and amino acids, including collagen, which can reduce joint pain and improve the strength and flexibility of your body's tissues and tendons. Collagen is also widely praised for its ability to improve skin hydration and elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Why were the 50s obsessed with Jell-O? ›

Jell-O salads were born out of modern convenience.

Preparing Jell-O is fast and simple and, according to Serious Eats, housewives in the 1950s thought so too.

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