It’s time to bring jello salads back in style: Orange Sherbet Jello Salad
Remember jello salads from the 70’s? Wait, maybe you don’t! You’ve certainly seen them in TV shows or read about them. Well, they have been around a long time, and here is one that you need to try!
Orange Sherbet Jello Salad
My mom used to make this jello salad all the time when I was little. It showed up on every single Thanksgiving table, it showed up at potlucks, and it made an appearance as a special treat for us kids once in a while too.
Jello salads have gotten a bad rap over the years because people try to put too much stuff in them. This one is simply made with orange jello and mandarin oranges. And it has orange sherbet in it too, so that makes it the best jello salad ever!!!
My little nieces and nephews are visiting this Thanksgiving. I told them I was making a jello salad with ice cream in it, and they’re SUPER EXCITED!
By the way, when is the last time you had a scoop of orange sherbet? I’m pretty sure I was under 20. It seems to be one of those frozen desserts that you only buy for the kids, doesn’t it? Well let me tell you… orange sherbet is incredible. I opened up the container and it had softened up perfectly… and I ate a spoonful and just about fell over.
Why have I ignored orange sherbet all my life? You seriously need to get some sherbet and enjoy it all over again. It’s not just for kids! And it’s wonderful when you turn it into an Orange Sherbet Jello Salad.
How to make Orange Sherbet Jello Salad:
The orange sherbet is stirred into the jello mixture until it’s completely melted, and it gives this jello salad a wonderful flavor and velvety texture. Yes, that makes it more like dessert… but that’s perfectly okay when you’re making jello. It’s a treat! That mixture is poured into a jello mold, and then mandarin oranges are added in last before chilling.
Tip: Do you have a jello mold pan in your kitchen? Probably not. Not many people have those around any more. You can certainly make this recipe without a jello mold. Just put it in a square pyrex or casserole dish and scoop it out to serve.
Here are a few more party salad recipes you might like to try:
- Greek Tortellini Salad
- Wild Rice and Cranberry Salad
- Pizza Pasta Salad
- Layered Salad
- Waldorf Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Marinated Four Bean Salad
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Orange Sherbet Jello Salad
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- One 6-ounce box Orange Jell-O
- 1 cup boiling water
- One 15-ounce can mandarin oranges (drain, and save the juice)
- 1 pint (2 cups) orange sherbet, softened
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir hot water into the Jell-O powdered gelatin until it is completely dissolved. Add the mandarin orange juice and the softened sherbet and continue to mix until the sherbet is melted.
- Spray a jello mold (or an 8x8-inch glass pan) with nonstick spray. Pour the Jell-O mixture into the mold and gently scatter the orange slices into the mixture.
- Refrigerate for several hours (or overnight) until well set. Carefully turn out the chilled jello mold onto a decorative plate (see tips below). Or if you used a square dish, you can just put it out for scooping and serving. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
- *Tips for getting the Jell-O out of the mold: Use a small rubber spatula or a knife to loosen the edges of the salad. Place a serving plate on top of the mold and gently flip it over. If the Jell-O doesn't seem to be coming out, you can always place the bottom of the pan in warm water for about 10 seconds, then flip it over. It should slide right out.
My kids love this jello salad. I make it every Easter. Have also taken to church potlucks. Refreshing and yummy. So easy, too. I usually just put it in 9×13 pryrex.
This is the recipe I loved from my youth! Sadly, every time I make it , it stays liquid! What am I doing wrong? 1 c boiling water, about 1 c of juice, 2 c sherbet—what am I doing wrong? Any suggestion is welcomed!
It’s funny you say that because the last time I tried to make it in a mold (Thanksgiving), it wouldn’t stay molded. Sometimes I just make it in a dish instead, and then you don’t have to worry about it not staying molded. It should definitely turn into a jello salad though and not stay liquid!
How far in advance can you make this salad?
I would make it one day ahead of serving.
I have a jello mold that is perfect for this recipes. The inside of the mold is removed and you have a perfect molded jello. It does not require greasing. I bought it from Tupperware many years ago.
I make the orange sherber salad and put cool whip and manadarin oranges in
Can this orange sherbet salad be frozen?
I have not tried freezing it!
Can you substitute sorbet for sherbet?
no, it won’t work the same way!
Looks very refreshing and a quick and easy dessert to make!
I’m generally not a fan of jello salads, but this is appealing Another good (adult) way to enjoy orange sherbet — with a little of your favorite orange liqueur drizzled over the top. Limoncello works with lemon sherbet and raspberry liqueur for raspberry.
Yum! I love orange sherbet…I think it’s actually why I loved the rainbow sherbet ice cream flavor when I was kid (it was my favorite ice cream). It’s got that perfectly sweet and citrus combo that is so refreshing in these warm months. Beautiful jello salad, Lori!
Wow, I love orange desserts/salads. The only jello salad I am attached to is one my mom makes every Christmas with red and green jellos and a white pineapple filling in the middle. I think this one might just make my Thanksgiving table! Wonder how a strawberry one would work for Easter?
Thanks for posting this!
great idea!
My mom was the Queen of jello salads and made this orange sherbet one often. She would use a ring mold and fill the center with ambrosia: 1 cup each sour cream, crushed pineapple, miniature marshmallows and coconut. Mmm… comfort food memories!
Hi Lori,
I so agree that it’s time to bring jello salads back into style! They showed up on our table regularly when I was growing up too 🙂 Thanks for including mention of my recipe for cranberry jello salad. I’m putting orange sherbet on my grocery list. This orange salad looks so refreshing, perfect for summer in Phoenix.
Sounds so yummy. Thank you.
This would be lovely in some of those jello jiggler molds too. We have Star Wars and Sea Life. Would make it a lovely fun summer treat! Thanks for the great ideas! Have a blessed week!
To insure that your Jello molds are crip and come out prefect every time you can add a packet of unflavored gelletin and make your recipe just as you would.
I don’t suppose anyone has any idea if there is a UK version of ‘orange sherbet’ and I so where I can find it?! Thanks in advance
The photo for the Orange Jello Jello Salad isn’t there/working.
thanks, yes… it’s a very old photo- will try to re-shoot sometime soon!