I’ve always loved having something sweet and refreshing in the fridge during summer. But since starting keto, those traditional fruit desserts aren’t exactly on the menu anymore. That’s where this strawberry jello salad comes in – it’s become my go-to when I’m craving something cool and fruity.
What I really like about this recipe is how simple it is to throw together. I usually make it in the evening and let it set overnight, which means there’s always something ready when those afternoon sugar cravings hit. Plus, my kids don’t even realize it’s keto-friendly – they just know it tastes good.
Whether you’re following a keto diet or just looking for a lighter dessert option, this jello salad fits the bill. It’s creamy, satisfying, and has that perfect strawberry flavor that reminds me of the desserts I grew up with, minus all the sugar.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Jello Salad
- Keto-friendly dessert – With sugar-free jello and high-fat dairy ingredients, this treat fits perfectly into a keto lifestyle while satisfying your sweet cravings.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare this dessert up to 2 days in advance, making it perfect for busy schedules or holiday planning.
- No baking required – Just mix, chill, and serve – no need to turn on the oven or worry about precise temperatures and timing.
- Rich and creamy texture – The combination of mascarpone, cottage cheese, and whipping cream creates a luxuriously smooth dessert that feels indulgent.
- Fresh ingredients – Real strawberries and crunchy nuts give this dessert authentic flavor and satisfying texture without adding extra carbs.
What Kind of Strawberries Should I Use?
Fresh strawberries are your best bet for this jello salad, but there’s no need to stress if you can only find frozen ones – just make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid extra liquid in your salad. When picking fresh strawberries, look for bright red berries that are firm but not hard, and avoid any with white or green patches since they won’t be as sweet. For the best results, choose medium-sized berries rather than the super jumbo ones, as they tend to have better flavor and are easier to cut into bite-sized pieces. If your strawberries aren’t quite at peak sweetness, letting them sit at room temperature for a day can help bring out their natural sugar content.
Options for Substitutions
Need to make some swaps? Here are some keto-friendly substitutions that’ll work in this recipe:
- Mascarpone cheese: If mascarpone isn’t available, cream cheese makes a great substitute – just make sure it’s well softened. You might want to add an extra 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to match mascarpone’s texture.
- Cottage cheese: You can swap the cottage cheese with ricotta cheese, but make sure to drain it well first. The texture will be slightly different but still tasty!
- Sugar-free strawberry jelly mix: Feel free to use any sugar-free jelly flavor you like – raspberry or cherry work great too. Just keep in mind it will change the final color and taste of your salad.
- Walnuts: Not a fan of walnuts? Try pecans, macadamia nuts, or sliced almonds instead. They all add that nice crunch while keeping it keto.
- Shredded coconut: You can skip the coconut or replace it with extra nuts if you’re not a coconut fan. Just make sure whatever you use is unsweetened to keep it keto-friendly.
- Fresh strawberries: When strawberries aren’t in season, you can use raspberries or blackberries. If using frozen berries, thaw and drain them well first to prevent extra liquid in your salad.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making keto jello salad is getting the temperature of your ingredients just right – using cream cheese or mascarpone straight from the fridge will result in lumps, so make sure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.
Another common mistake is rushing the setting process – this dessert needs at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) in the refrigerator to achieve that perfect, firm texture, and trying to speed this up will leave you with a runny mess.
When preparing the sugar-free jello, be extra careful to dissolve it completely in hot water before adding other ingredients, as undissolved granules can create an unpleasant grainy texture.
For the best results, fold in the strawberries gently at the very end to prevent them from releasing too much juice, and if you’re using frozen berries, make sure they’re completely thawed and patted dry to avoid excess moisture that could prevent proper setting.
What to Serve With Keto Strawberry Jello Salad?
This sweet and creamy jello salad works perfectly as a side dish for summer barbecues or as a light dessert after dinner. Since it’s already rich and satisfying, I like to pair it with simple grilled meats like chicken or pork chops when serving it as a side. For dessert, a cup of hot coffee or unsweetened tea makes a nice contrast to the cool, creamy texture. If you’re hosting a keto-friendly brunch, this jello salad fits right in alongside eggs, bacon, and sugar-free breakfast sausages – the protein helps balance out the richness of the dessert.
Storage Instructions
Keep Cool: This keto strawberry jello salad needs to stay chilled! Pop it in an airtight container in the fridge, where it’ll stay fresh and jiggly for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get better after a day as everything melds together nicely.
Make Ahead: You can prep this dessert a day before your gathering – it’s actually perfect for making ahead! Just keep in mind that the strawberries might release a bit more juice over time, but that doesn’t affect the taste at all. If you’re garnishing with extra strawberries, add those just before serving.
Not Suitable for Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this jello salad since the texture of both the jello and dairy ingredients would change quite a bit when thawed. Plus, the fresh strawberries wouldn’t hold up well after freezing.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0-0 minutes |
| Total Time | 240-245 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1000-1200
- Protein: 30-35 g
- Fat: 80-90 g
- Carbohydrates: 50-60 g
Ingredients
- 1 cup thick whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened vanilla essence
- 8 ounces softened mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup large curd cottage cheese (4% fat)
- 1 pack (0.6 ounces) sugar-free strawberry jelly mix
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 cups chopped strawberries, with extra for garnish if preferred
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Base
In a medium bowl, use a mixer to beat the heavy whipping cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
This means the cream should hold its shape firmly when the beaters are lifted.
Step 2: Incorporate Cheese
Carefully fold in the mascarpone cheese until it is fully incorporated with the whipped cream.
The mixture should remain light and airy.
Following this, gently stir in the cottage cheese and powdered sugar-free jello, ensuring everything is well mixed.
Step 3: Add Mix-Ins
Fold in the walnuts, coconut, and strawberries.
Be gentle to maintain the fluffiness of the dessert.
Ensure that the mix-ins are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Step 4: Chill the Mixture
Spoon the mixture into a mold of your choice if desired, or simply leave it in the bowl it’s already in.
Chill the dessert in the refrigerator for four hours to allow it to set properly.
Step 5: Serve the Dessert
To unmold the dessert, dip the container in hot water for about 20 seconds, longer if necessary, then carefully flip it over onto a serving dish.
Optionally, garnish with additional strawberries for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Step 6: Storage Tips
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Note that this dessert should not be frozen as it may affect the texture negatively.