Cranberry Salad Recipe

Made with cream cheese, cranberry sauce, oranges, and marshmallows, this classic Cranberry Salad Recipe is the perfect holiday side dish.

Looking for a new salad recipe to try? This cranberry salad is perfect for the holidays, and it’s so easy to make! Flavors include some fresh cranberries, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, and pecans.

The combination of tart and sweet flavors is delicious, and this salad is sure to become a favorite. So why not give it a try tonight? You won’t be disappointed!

Growing up my family always had an abundance of no-bake side dishes to choose from when holiday time came around. I asked my cousin to whip up one of the easy salad recipes for me to share here.

This cranberry fluff has been a part of our holiday spread for as long as I can remember. Not only is it simple to make but is one of those recipes that is perfect for passing off to the kiddos to make when they want to help with the meal prep.

It’s as simple as mix and serve. Nothing too complicated, so it is perfect for beginners in the kitchen.

cranberry fluff

Here are some commonly asked questions

What Is Cranberry Fluff Salad?

Cranberry fluff salad is a light and refreshing salad made with fresh cranberries, sometimes pineapple, mandarin oranges, and marshmallows in cream cheese and whipped topping. It is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or any holiday potluck!

This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. It’s also a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce!

How long will cranberry salad keep in the fridge?

Cranberry salad will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Is cranberry salad good for Thanksgiving?

Cranberry salad is a great dish to bring to a Thanksgiving potluck because it is easy to make and can be made ahead of time. Plus, it is a lighter option if you are looking for something other than traditional heavy Thanksgiving fare.

Can this recipe be doubled?

You can, and we do it often. If you are making this for a larger group, I highly recommend doubling this – it goes fast.

How to store leftovers of this cranberry fluff salad recipe?

This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Be sure to give it a good stir before serving, as the ingredients may settle during storage. Enjoy!

Cranberry Salad Ingredients

• cream cheese – room temperature
• whole berry cranberry sauce
• mandarin oranges
• miniature marshmallows
• toasted pecans – chopped
• whipped topping

What can you add to cranberry salad for extra flavor?

You can add chopped apples, pecans, or goat cheese to cranberry salad for extra flavor. You could also try using different types of add in’s such as different nuts, seeds, and fruit salad, and so much more.

What to serve with this Cranberry Salad

This salad is delicious on its own, or you could serve it with roasted turkey or ham. It would also be great alongside some green beans and mashed potatoes. Here are some of our favorite holiday recipes to pair with this.

• Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast
• Smoked Spatchcock Turkey
• Cajun Turkey Breast
• Applewood Smoked Ham
• Air Fryer Turkey Breast
• Classic Roasted Turkey
• Smoked Boneless Leg of Lamb
• Applewood Smoked Turkey

How to Make Cranberry Salad

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and the cranberry sauce together until creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
2. Fold in the oranges, marshmallows, and pecans.
3. Gently fold in the whipped topping until evenly blended.
4. Serve topped with additional whipped topping and pecans, if desired.

Can I use regular whipped cream from the can?

You will need to use stabilized whipped cream for this recipe. The stuff from the can that you squirt out will deflate and become liquid after a period of time. This does not do this salad any favors.

I highly discourage you from using that instead. You can use homemade stabilized whipped cream if you don’t want the stuff from the freezer section in the store.

More Cranberry Recipes

• Sparkling Cranberries
• Cranberry Orange Mimosa
• Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
• Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
• Cranberry Quick Bread
• Crockpot Cranberry Cider
• Cranberry Cupcakes
• Apple Cranberry Spritzer

Can this be made with low-fat cream cheese?

Yes, you can make this with low-fat cream cheese, however, it will be less creamy. The fat is where the creaminess comes from so I highly recommend using full-fat ingredients for this salad recipe.

Recipe Variations

• Use chopped walnuts in place of the pecans
• Add in shredded coconut
• Mix in frozen fruit
• Change the color of the mini marshmallows
• Use your favorite flavor of pie filling instead of cranberry sauce
• Add pineapple instead of oranges

Can you freeze cranberry fluff dessert?

While this can be frozen, it does tend to get a little watery once it is thawed, which isn’t great for the overall texture when served again.

Other Fluff Recipes to Try

• Cherry Fluff
• Strawberry/ Raspberry Jello Salad
• Ambrosia Salad
• Orange Fluff Salad

Products I love when making this Cranberry Salad Recipe…

This salad recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me this time of year, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made this type of salad before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this side dish recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)

• prep bowls
• spatula
• measuring cups and spoons
• serving spoon

If you love this easy cranberry salad recipe, you’re going to love these other no-bake side dishes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

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If you love this recipe for Cranberry Fluff as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!

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