I love trying new recipes. I think that’s pretty obvious. But I realized something a few weeks back as I was talking to my mom. When it comes to Thanksgiving, as much as I’d like to try out a new recipe or two, I really like the same recipes that we’ve been making year after year. We have to have the festive green beans, and the Goodman fruit salad. The celery stuffed with pimento cheese, and my sister’s sausage stuffing. And the cranberry salad.
This cranberry salad has graced our Thanksgiving table for as long as I can remember. It’s one of those salads – like the Snicker’s Salad – that tastes more like dessert than an actual side dish. But hey – any excuse to have dessert on our plate next to the turkey is a good excuse, right? As we were putting together the menu this year, and assignments were being given out, I realized that Cranberry Salad was no where to be found. Only half of the family is going to be there, so a few things got cut out, simply because we don’t need as much food. But Thanksgiving just isn’t Thanksgiving without this salad, so I jumped in and said that I would bring it. The great thing about this salad is that it literally takes 5 minutes to stir together, and you can stick it in the freezer ahead of time. In fact, I made this yesterday and will keep it in the freezer until Thursday. Just bring it out of the freezer 30-45 minutes before serving it.
Even if you are a traditionalist, and like to have the same thing on the table year after year, this side dish is one that you’ll want to add in!
An easy, sweet side dish that you can throw together in 5 minutes. Perfect for the Thanksgiving table, or for any night!
Ingredients
- 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 (14-oz) can whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 (20-oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (I like pecans)
- 1 (8-oz) container whipped topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice. Add in the cranberries, pineapple and nuts. Fold in the whipped topping.
- Freeze for 20 minutes before serving.
- If making ahead, keep in the freezer and bring out 30 minutes before serving.
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Check out these other sweet salad ideas:
Strawberry Pretzel Salad from Ezra Pound Cake
Pistachio Salad from Real Mom Kitchen
Creamy 5-Cup Fruit Salad from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
This dish is very similar to one of the sides my family has been having for years! I have always thought it’s more like dessert too, but it definitely belongs on the dinner table at Thanksgiving.
Have a great holiday!
Never had anything like this…..this is a really special and delectable for the holiday meal.
I usually shy away from dishes like this, but you make me want to cuddle with it.
This sounds perfect for Thanksgiving!
hello* im so excited to try this cranberry reciepe on my family it looks so delicious thanksgiving here we come!!! god bless happy turkey day all*
I LOVE the looks of this and am pinning it…..maybe for next year. I’d love to make it on Thursday but I really don’t know if I want to go back and fight the crowds at the store again. Looks delicious!
OMG yes please!! I love cranberries. I bet this would be a fantastic topping on pie as well.
my mom makes things like this and like snickers salad, too!
sweetened cond milk AND a container of Cool Whip…oh yes, this would be great
I’ve never had this before but with those rock star ingredients (sweetened condensed milk?!?!?) it must be amazing.
I’ve never seen this before. It looks really good!
Aww yeah, such a classic salad!
Thanks for the idea! I just made it and put it into the freezer. My kids enjoyed licking the bowl and spoons.
I have to say, I’m glad you decided to stick with the old same traditional recipes. If you had tried a new one maybe I would have never found out about this refreshing cranberry salad. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours
this looks completely fun and fluffy! the cranberries i had yesterday were tasty, but i fear they wouldn’t hold a candle to this. bookmarked for next year…er, week.
The only thing better that can improve this salad is using pretzels to eat it. Oh. My. Gawd.
[...] week, and of course, you have to have cranberries on the table. We normally have our traditional Cranberry Salad, but after making this side dish, I’m honestly contemplating breaking tradition. I’m [...]