Name: Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 7 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; ¼ cup nuts pecans or walnuts, chopped finely; ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup boiling water; 1 small box 3 oz lime gelatin; 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened; 1 8oz container whipped topping, thawed; Green food coloring optional; 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 8oz container whipped topping, thawed; 2 cups boiling water; 2 small boxes 3 oz each strawberry gelatin; 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries; Additional whipped topping; Sprinkles or candy

Nothing says festive like a fresh, colorful, and creamy treat that brings a smile with every bite. This Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe is exactly that—a gorgeous, layered delight that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want to add a little joy to your table.

The image shows a thick square slice of layered dessert on a white plate, resting on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a light brown, crumbly crust with visible small nuts or grains. Above that is a thick, smooth, and light green layer with a slightly porous texture. Next is a white creamy layer that looks soft and fluffy. On top of this is a bright red, translucent gelatin layer. The dessert is finished with a thick, white whipped cream layer spread unevenly on top. Scattered on the whipped cream are shiny, round candies in red and green colors. In the background, a larger, rectangular version of the dessert is visible in a clear dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe over the years for countless family parties, and it’s always a hit. It’s nostalgic but also fresh and vibrant, striking that perfect balance between sweet and tangy. Plus, it’s easier to make than it looks—trust me on that.

Layered Goodness: Each layer brings a different texture and flavor, creating a dessert that’s both fun and satisfying.
Bright, Festive Colors: The lime green and strawberry red look stunning on any holiday table.
Creamy & Fruity: The combination of cream cheese, whipped topping, and fresh strawberries gives it an irresistible creaminess with fruity freshness.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it well in advance, which makes holiday hosting way less stressful.

This dessert slice has four clear layers from bottom to top: a light tan crumbly crust, a thick layer of light green creamy filling, a bright red jelly layer, and a top white whipped cream layer decorated with evenly spaced red and green round candies. The slice is on a white plate sitting on a white marbled surface, with a woman's hand holding a fork lifting a piece showing all layers clearly. In the background, there is a bowl filled with red and green candies, a glass dish with more of the layered dessert, and another slice of the same dessert on a white plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

When you look at the ingredients for this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe, what stands out is how well simple pantry staples team up with fresh fruit to create something spectacular. A couple of shopping tips: use the freshest strawberries you can find, and don’t skimp on the cream cheese because it adds that silky richness.

Flat lay of a small mound of pale all-purpose flour, two tablespoons of fine granulated sugar in a neat pile, a handful of finely chopped pecans and walnuts mixed together, a stick of unsalted butter softened with a slight sheen, a small white bowl filled with steaming boiling water, an uncracked brown egg with a smooth shell, a block of smooth cream cheese in soft white, a fluffy cloud of whipped topping in a white ceramic bowl, a few drops of green food coloring in a tiny white bowl, a second uncracked egg with a clean shell, another small white bowl of granulated sugar, a larger white bowl holding fresh, bright red sliced strawberries glistening with natural juice, a small white bowl with clear strawberry gelatin mixture, and an additional small white bowl of whipped topping, all meticulously arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Forms a sturdy, slightly sweet crust; make sure it’s fresh for the best texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens both crust and cream cheese layers without overpowering.
Nuts (pecans or walnuts): Adds a nice crunch and depth to the crust.
Unsalted butter: Keeps control over saltiness while binding the crust.
Lime gelatin: Brings that bright, zesty flavor that’s a hallmark of this salad.
Cream cheese: Softened to smooth out layers; use full-fat for creamier texture.
Whipped topping: Keeps layers light and fluffy—you can substitute with homemade whipped cream if you like.
Green food coloring (optional): To brighten the lime gelatin layer and make it pop on your plate.
Strawberry gelatin: Hands down, the sweet-fruity star of the top layer.
Fresh strawberries: Adds natural sweetness and lovely texture; slicing them evenly helps with even layering.
Additional toppings (whipped topping, sprinkles, candy): Perfect for festive garnishing that makes your salad extra special.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing things up with this salad depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. Don’t be afraid to make it your own—there are plenty of ways to tweak this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe to suit your taste.

Variation: Sometimes I swap out the nuts in the crust for graham cracker crumbs for a sweeter, more buttery base—it’s absolutely delicious and simplifies things if you’re nut-free.
Dietary tweak: Use a sugar-free gelatin mix and light cream cheese if you want a lighter version that still delivers on flavor.
Seasonal change: Instead of strawberries, try raspberries or a mixed berry blend for a winter twist that still plays beautifully with the lime.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe

Step 1: Bake the Perfect Crust

Kick things off by preheating your oven to 350°F and prepping a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray. Mix your flour, sugar, and chopped nuts in a big bowl, then work in the softened butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Baking it until golden, about 15-18 minutes, gives you a sturdy base that holds all the creamy layers without sogginess. Let it cool completely; this step is key for keeping your salad intact when layering.

Step 2: Whip Up the Lime Gelatin Layer

Pour that lime gelatin into a large bowl and stir in boiling water until everything is dissolved—usually about 2 minutes of stirring does the trick. Pop it in the fridge until it’s just starting to set but still soft enough to mix, roughly an hour. Meanwhile, beat your cream cheese until smooth, then slowly mix in the cooled gelatin. Folding in the whipped topping at the end makes the layer delightfully fluffy. If you like, a few drops of green food coloring brighten this layer into a cheerful, Christmas-y green. Spread it gently over the crust and refrigerate to firm up for 30-40 minutes.

Step 3: Cream Cheese and Sugar Layer

In a fresh bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar together until silky smooth. Folding in the whipped topping keeps this layer light and creamy—a nice contrast to the firm gelatin below. Spread this mixture evenly over the set lime layer, then chill again for another 30-40 minutes. Patience here means those layers won’t mix and you’ll get that pretty striped effect.

Step 4: Strawberry Gelatin with Fresh Fruit

Now for the final, show-stopping layer. Dissolve two boxes of strawberry gelatin into boiling water, stirring for about two minutes. Stir in your sliced fresh strawberries, which add natural sweetness and wonderful texture. Chill this mixture, stirring every 10 minutes until it’s partially set—thick enough to spoon but not watery (around 30 minutes). Gently spoon it over the cream cheese layer, trying not to disturb the set layers beneath. Refrigerate your salad for at least 2-4 hours, or until firm.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Before serving, add a final festive touch with dollops of whipped topping, festive sprinkles, or even some holiday candy for color and sparkle. This step is where you can really get fun and creative.

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to ensure this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe turns out beautifully every time. Here’s what really makes a difference.

Don’t rush gelatin setting: Let each gelatin layer set firmly in the fridge before adding the next to keep layers from blending together.
Use room temperature cream cheese: It blends in smoother without lumps, making your layers silky and even.
Careful with layering: When spooning the strawberry gelatin on top, do it slowly and gently to maintain those beautiful, distinct layers.
Keep it chilled: This salad tastes best cold, so refrigerate it until firm and serve chilled for that perfect refreshing bite.

How to Serve Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe

Christmas Lime Strawberry Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish mine with a generous swirl of whipped topping and some colorful holiday sprinkles or mini candy canes chopped up. Not only does it look festive, but the extra creaminess and sweetness complement the tangy lime and fresh strawberries perfectly.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with heavier savory dishes like ham, turkey, or roasted vegetables. It’s a refreshing counterbalance, giving your palate a little break from the savory and salty flavors at the holiday table.

Creative Ways to Present

I once served this salad in a large glass trifle bowl layered for everyone to see the colors and swirls. It was a big hit, especially with kids, who loved seeing the layers and picking out strawberry chunks with their spoons. Individual clear glasses also work great for parties and make serving simple.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge. It holds up beautifully for about 3 to 4 days. Just give the top a quick fluff-up with whipped topping before serving again to freshen it up.

Freezing

Honestly, I don’t recommend freezing this salad because the gelatin’s texture can turn watery or grainy once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh within a few days.

Reheating

Since this isn’t something you’d reheat, just keep it well chilled until serving. If you want a softer texture, take it out of the fridge about 15 minutes before eating to let it slightly warm up at room temperature—but don’t leave it out too long or it will start to melt.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the layers ahead of time and assemble later?

Yes! You can prepare each layer separately and refrigerate them. Just be sure each layer is properly chilled and just set before carefully assembling to keep the layers distinct.

What if I don’t have fresh strawberries?

You can use frozen strawberries, but thaw and drain them very well to avoid watery layers. Alternatively, fresh raspberries or mixed berries make great substitutes.

Is there a way to make this recipe keto or low sugar?

Absolutely. Use sugar-free lime and strawberry gelatin mixes, and swap regular cream cheese and whipped topping for their low-carb versions. Be sure to use a keto-friendly sweetener if adding sugar.

What’s the best way to avoid mixing the layers?

The key is to let each gelatin or cream cheese layer chill until it’s firm enough to hold the next layer. Also, when adding the top strawberry gelatin layer, spoon it gently over the back of a spoon to slow the pour and avoid breaking through.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe is one of those comforting classics that brings people together. It’s fun to make, beautiful to look at, and—most importantly—delicious. I can’t tell you how many times it’s sparked conversations at our holiday parties. Give it a try for your next celebration and watch it become a cherished tradition for you and your loved ones, just like it did for me.