Cranberry Salad

If you think salads are boring, this one will change your mind faster than a toddler spots candy. This cranberry salad recipe is bright, tangy, and sweet with a fluffy texture that feels more like dessert than salad. It’s a holiday favorite and a fun twist on traditional cranberry dishes. Whether you call it cranberry fluff salad or cranberry pecan salad, one thing is certain—it disappears fast.

What Makes This Cranberry Salad So Good

Cranberries add a fresh, tart flavor that balances the sweetness of pineapple, marshmallows, and whipped topping. The pecans add crunch, while the creamy base ties everything together. It’s easy to prepare, delicious to eat, and looks beautiful on the table. This is one of those cranberry salad recipes that people ask for again and again.

Quick Recipe Overview:

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Servings: 8

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Calories: 230
Protein: 3 g
Fat: 10 g
Carbohydrates: 34 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 28 g

Kitchen Tools Needed

• Food processor or blender
• Large mixing bowl
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Serving dish

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed

How to Make Cranberry Salad

1. Prepare the cranberries
   Add cranberries and sugar to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes to release juices.
2. Add the pineapple
   Stir in the crushed pineapple until evenly mixed.
3. Fold in the good stuff
   Add mini marshmallows and chopped pecans. Gently fold in the whipped topping until everything is well combined.
4. Chill and serve
   Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This helps the flavors blend and gives the salad a fluffy texture. Serve cold and enjoy the sweet-tart magic.

Helpful Tips

• Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor, but frozen ones work too if thawed first.
• For extra crunch, toast the pecans before adding them.
• You can make this salad a day ahead, it actually tastes better after chilling overnight.

Closing Thought

Cranberry Salad is proof that a salad can be fun, fruity, and a little bit indulgent. Whether you’re making cranberry fluff salad for a potluck or cranberry pecan salad for a family feast, it’s always the dish everyone remembers, and secretly hopes you’ll bring again next time!

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Cranberry Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

This cranberry salad is creamy, fluffy, and bursting with bright flavor. Tart cranberries meet sweet pineapple, soft marshmallows, and crunchy pecans in every bite. It’s cool, light, and irresistibly smooth—the kind of salad that tastes like dessert but feels perfectly at home next to your holiday favorites.

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Ingredients

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed

Instructions

1. Chop cranberries and sweeten Pulse cranberries with sugar in a food processor. Let sit 10 minutes to release juices.
2. Add fruit Stir in the drained crushed pineapple until well mixed.
3. Add mix-ins Fold in pecans and mini marshmallows for crunch and sweetness.
4. Make it fluffy Gently fold in the whipped topping until creamy and smooth.
5. Chill and serve Refrigerate 2 hours before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 230Total Fat: 10gCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 2gSugar: 28gProtein: 3g