Old-fashioned pineapple and lemon-flavored carrot Jell-O salad. Grandma didn’t say how many carrots there would be. Most likely, you can’t use too much!
| Prep Time: | 15 mins |
| Additional Time: | 5 hrs |
| Total Time: | 5 hrs 15 mins |
| Servings: | 8 |
Ingredients
- 1 (6 ounce) package lemon flavored Jell-O® mix
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved
- 4 large carrots, shredded
Instructions
- In a large bowl, prepare lemon gelatin according to package directions using reserved pineapple juice in place of some of the water. Refrigerate until thickened, about 1 hour.
- When gelatin has thickened, stir in pineapple and shredded carrot. Cover and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.
Reviews
My mom and I as well have made this since I was a little girl – I am 70 now. We use orange jello, but the rest is the same. I prefer the orange jello.
I didn’t care for it. The lemon jello,so iadded peaches and another pack of lemon jello bc that’s all I had and the next day it was real good. Absolutely needs to be made with orange jello. I also fancied it up with a few cherries on top
I have been eating this since the 50’s, remember it from my grandmothers barbecue s. Difference made with lime Jello so very colorful. And she used the pineapple juice by whipping it with cream cheese to make a sauce for the jello. Delish.
This was my grandma’s recipe! In my family we call it sunshine salad. Not everyone loves it, but I do. It’s a delicious treat!
Just like my mother would make, except she would add raisins to the mix as well. She would put this in a ring mould and after turning put lettuce leaves in the middle of it. It was her go to pot lick dish.
Just like grandma used to make it!
I love, love, love this salad–always have. I’ve never made it with lemon Jello, but I will next time. I used orange flavor this time because that’s what I had. Only had room in dish for 2 carrots, and it seemed to be the right amount anyway. Added 1/2 c. finely chopped celery. First time using crushed pineapple for me, I’ve always used chunks. I like the crushed better. Very good recipe. My aunt who entertains a lot and always sets a beautiful buffet would also add mandarin oranges in addition to the pineapple. Always looked forward to having this dish at family get-togethers. Can’t wait to try with lemon flavor and will leave out the celery next time. Last time I made this recipe was 15 years ago for Christmas, nobody even touched it except for me and my boyfriend. That’s okay, more for me and they don’t know what they’re missing. Since it’s summer, I’ll be making soon…it’s so refreshing!
Well, I was afraid I wouldn’t find this recipe. We always had it at the holidays. Simple but very nice taste addition to any meal. Mom always used lime gelatin instead of the lemon. It brings back memories of when I was a kid. Thanks for posting it.
Great Easter salad! Been searching for this. So glad I came across it. Thanks.
I had this at a friends house and wanted to make it one night, but I had never made jello before. This was very helpful. It one of my go-tos now.
I grew up on this recipe. My mother added, as I do, sliced pimento stuffed olives. It adds color and cuts the sweet a little. When I married in the late 70s, this salad was listed in my red Betty Crocker cookbook as Sunhine Salad.
Not gonna lie…this was MUCH better than I thought it would be. Next time, I’ll swap out the carrots for coconut. It’s basically a citrus explosion in your mouth…with a little carrot crunch.
I am 77 and have made this salad for years as my mother before. Lost the recipe and “voila” after 6 years I found it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I also make my own dressing. Heavy cream, mustard, vinegar and sugar. I can not give you amounts as I do it to taste. It really makes the salad, though. I forgot, I also add finely chopped celery. I have an old fashioned hand grinder. Does the carrots great.
I bought orange jello by mistake, but I don’t think it mattered. I didn’t have crushed pineapple so I just chopped up some rings. I also only used two large carrots. I had four, but 2 seemed like plenty and this was still delicious. Obviously very versatile recipe. I will be making again 🙂
Reduced Sugar Option: I love this salad but have diabetic relatives who carefully watch their carb counts. To reduce the carbs per serving, I have made this recipe with sugar-free jello (either lime, lemon or orange) and, instead of adding the extra carbs of the pineapple juice, substitute either sugar free lemon-lime soda OR Minute Maid light lemonade (from the soda aisle). Tastes great and has fewer carbs per serving. Try it and enjoy! : )
My Grandma called it Sunshine Salad and I loved it – she would make a dressing out of miracle whip, a bit of sugar and thin it with a little milk. Top the salad with that and YUM!!
This is really good I am a diabetic so I used sugar free strawberry jello and lite pineapple chunks, shredded carrots and celery chopped real fine, my grandson ate it up not actually knowing how good it was for him.
I have made this a few times now and I love it! I have tried it with crushed pineapple and also with pineapple tidbits and I preferred the tidbits for a few reasons.. one being I was able to drain the juice and also the texture & size of the little tidbits was perfect. Also I prefer strawberry gelatin but like the orange also… next I will try with lime gelatin and also going to try a strawberry-banana one too 🙂 Thanks!
my Grandma always used orange jello. always a little something of hers that I remember : ) nothing fancy- but oh, so good!
We call it sunshine salad. Its a great way to sneak veggies into little ones who wont eat their veggies.
This is just great! I make a double batch and put it in small, single serving containers for snacks and desserts.