Mandarin Orange Salad is a classic fluff salad made with fruit, whipped topping, Jello, cottage cheese, and marshmallows. It’s creamy and sweet and the perfect side dish for a potluck or holiday.
I never knew these salads existed until I started working as a food blogger – my family had never served jello salad so I was confused when I started seeing them all over the place. But now that I’ve made a few fluff recipes? I’m hooked.
Fluff salads, like this Orange Fluff Salad, are technically a side dish, but you can also serve it as a light dessert, perfect for your summer potluck, Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Either way, it’s a refreshing, creamy dish that is easy to make. The creamy texture with the fruit is a great combination. It has just 6 ingredients and is so easy to make – plus you can make it ahead of time!
Ingredients
- Canned crushed pineapple, drained well
- Canned mandarin oranges, drained – the mandarin orange segments add so much flavor and texture
- Cottage cheese: This can be a controversial ingredient; many people add this to their fluff, but some don’t. You can also blend your cottage cheese to make it smooth.
- Orange flavored Jello mix: Gives a burst of orange flavor – don’t make the jello, just use the powder.
- Cool Whip: Thawed; use any kind or brand.
- Mini marshmallows: For fluff
Variations
- Swap the jello for instant pudding mix (instant vanilla pudding or cheesecake flavor). In that case you’ll want to use the liquid from the can of oranges (but drain the pineapple).
- Swap sour cream for the cottage cheese.
- Add chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts) and/or chopped maraschino cherries (I love adding cherries to my peach fluff)
- Many people add shredded coconut
- Use any flavor jello powder to make a new flavor fluff.
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How to Make Mandarin Orange Salad
- Combine the pineapple, oranges, and cottage cheese in a large bowl. Stir in the orange gelatin.
- Add the whipped topping and stir to combine. Mix in the marshmallows.
- Cover the bowl and chill the salad for at least one hour before serving.
Recipe FAQ
No, all you do is add the dry powdered Jello mix – you don’t need to dissolve it in water first.
I like the Cool Whip because it’s more stable than homemade whipped cream. If you want to make the salad in advance, I recommend using the whipped topping. Homemade whipped cream will break down as it sits, making your salad less fluffy. If you are making and serving it the same day, you can use homemade. Make sure to whip the cream until it holds stiff peaks.
Yes, pretty much any fruit-flavored Jello that pairs well with orange will work in this salad. Feel free to experiment with different flavors to put your spin on it.
It can be both. It’s sweet, but these types of fluff salads are often served as a side dish at potlucks and BBQs. Feel free to serve it as a dessert, too – it works either way.
More Fluff Salad Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- Watergate Salad Recipe is the classic pistachio fluff
- Pineapple Cake Fluff Salad – classic pineapple fluff
- Peach Fluff Salad – a tropical version!
Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained well
- 1 (15 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 1 (6 ounce) box orange flavored Jello
- 8 ounces whipped topping
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Place pineapple, oranges, and cottage cheese in a large bowl. Stir, then mix in Jello.
- Add whipped topping and stir, then stir in marshmallows.
- Chill one hour before serving.
- Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe Nutrition
This easy no cook side dish is perfect for your next summer BBQ!
I make this all the time for Thanksgiving and sometimes for potlucks. One of our favorites!