This Keto Strawberry Jello Salad will be your new summer salad staple for picnics and BBQ’s! Or you can have it for breakfast all week long like I did! However you choose to enjoy it, enjoy it you will – and so will everyone else so be sure to make a LOT!
Please feel free to use the jump to recipe button to get straight to this keto strawberry jello salad recipe – or watch the video below to see the recipes steps first.
Ahhhh jello salad (aka. ambrosia) the quintessential summer picnic fare! Unfortunately, the classic version is loaded with sugar and carbs, so it’s been off the menu for awhile – but not anymore! With a few tweaks the classic jello salad is made keto friendly – and you won’t believe how delicious it is!!!
This Keto Strawberry Jello Salad is so amazing that even my non-keto friends and family raved about it!
In all honesty, I’ve never been a massive fan of jello salad, but I put it on my list of summer recipes to make keto friendly because I thought a low carb jello salad would be popular and do well here on the blog.
I was straight up shocked at how much I loved it! And even more surprised that Hungry Jr., who isn’t a huge fan of desserts made with artificial sweeteners, couldn’t get enough of it either!
A miracle of flavor and texture, this Keto Strawberry Jello Salad boasts chunks of sweet, fresh strawberries, a super creamy filling studded with just enough cottage cheese to cut the sweetness, and some chopped nuts and shredded coconut for texture.
You’ll be happy to know that this low carb jello salad is just as easy to make as the classic version! You can beat the cream with a stick blender if you have one, which literally takes seconds. Then fold and stir in the other ingredients and chill for a few hours (the jello salad) (but also you) and it’s ready to go!
The good news is, we all LOVED it and you will too – the bad news is, I may have peaked early guys, because this Keto Strawberry Jello Salad could just be the best keto recipe that I post here all summer!
I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, so be sure to let us know how it came out in the comments!!!
Keto Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe Notes:
- I know some of you will ask, so yes, you can substitute cream cheese for the mascarpone if that’s all you you’ve got, but if you can get the mascarpone DO IT and you’ll be so glad you did!
- If you have a nut allergy you can omit the walnuts – same goes for the shredded coconut, but I’ll be sad for you because it’s so good with it in.
- This Keto Jello Salad can be customized with any flavor of sugar free jello and a variety of berries. Be sure to calculate your macros if you make changes to ensure that it’s still keto friendly, as some fruits are much higher in sugar than strawberries.
- To keep it easy you can serve this low carb strawberry jello salad from a bowl rather than putting it into a mold. If you do decide to use a mold, you’ll have to dip it in hot water (careful not to get any into the salad) for about 20 seconds to help it release from the mold onto your serving dish.
More Keto Strawberry Recipes
Strawberry Swirl Cheesecakes
Strawberry Crumble
Strawberry Mousse Cake
Strawberry Shortcake – All Day I Dream About Food
Keto Strawberry Jello Salad – Low Carb
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star
4.9 from 16 reviews
- Author: Mellissa Sevigny
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
A creamy and refreshing Keto Strawberry Jello Salad that’s perfect for your next summer picnic or BBQ! Low carb and Atkins diet friendly!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, unsweetened
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
- 1 cup 4% fat large curd cottage cheese
- 1 box (.6 ounces)sugar free strawberry jello
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups chopped strawberries, plus more for garnish if desired
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Carefully fold in the mascarpone cheese until fully incorporated.
- Gently stir in the cottage cheese and powdered sugar free jello, and mix well.
- Fold in the walnuts, coconut, and strawberries.
- Spoon into a mold if desired (otherwise use the bowl it’s already in) and chill for four hours before serving.
- To unmold, dip the container in hot water for about 20 seconds (longer if necessary) and then flip over onto a serving dish.
- Garnish with additional strawberries (not included in nutrition info) if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Do not freeze.
Notes
Total net carbs = 4g
(optional strawberry garnish not included)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes + four hours chill time
- Category: keto desserts
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 255
- Fat: 23g
- Carbohydrates: 5.5g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 4g
Reader Interactions
Comments
Jan Johnson says
I was so excited when I saw this because I thought you would use healthy jello made with plain gelatin and something healthy to flavor it. This looks so good, but I can’t bring myself to use sugar-free Jello. The ingredients are awful! I would love it if you could come up with a chemical-free strawberry gel dessert! I’m sure this is good – it looks delicious — just trying to stay away from bad ingredients! I’m going to try to come up with it, but I know you could do so much better!
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BC Marks says
I totally agree with you! I gave up gelatin 50 + years ago because of the additives. I used to make gelatin for my kids from plain gelatin and fruit juices. Would not even try this recipe and I have great faith in Mellissa for her normally healthy keto recipes. I love her and have followed her for a long time!
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AKM says
Jell-O salads and ambrosia are two completely different things, LOL. Jell-O salads are Jell-O and fruit and sometimes with some kind of dairy ingredient added and then molded. Ambrosia is the salad made from canned/fresh fruit, coconut, and marshmallows, bound together usually with sour cream.
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Jennifer says
YUM! So excited that local strawberries are ready early this year. Aspartame and I don’t get along, so I used Knox gelatin and a few squirts of “water enhancer” for flavor. Super yummy. Can’t wait to try other flavor/berry combinations. This recipe has a way of being decadent and fresh at the same time. Winner!
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Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks for letting us know how you were able to adjust it Jennifer!
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Lulu says
I started making this back in 2018 using pecans & light cream cheese, and I still make it a couple of times a year! It’s one of only a couple sweet recipes that I find non-keto people enjoy too. It’s also a great way to use horrible winter strawberries (I add a few drops of Joann’s strawberry oil).
For Easter I decided to try making it lemon and adding frozen wild blueberries. Awesome! Thanks for such a lovely recipe 😁Reply
SD says
I wonder if you blended the cottage cheese first to a smooth texture, if you could then mix and pour into a pie plate for a strawberry cream pie of sorts? Would be really pretty with sliced strawberries on top!
Kathryn says
OMG! When I read the recipe, I was reminded of my mother in laws “green Jello.”
With a fond memory and a box of Jello in the cabinet I gave this recipe a try.
YAY for summer, strawberries and this salad! Served this as a side to, as we call it here “chicken guy” chicken. He is a vendor that works on weekends alongside the highway, grilling chicken (asado).
I normally find something yummy on your page, but this was also a memory.
Thank you!Reply
Mellissa Sevigny says
So happy you enjoyed it Kathryn! I need to make a green version – that was popular at picnics when I was a kid too!
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Amy says
SF Jello brand products have maltodextrin now. Maltodextrin has an extremely high glycemic index and causes major spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels when consumed. This can severely hamper weight loss and swiftly kick you out of ketosis. Maltodextrin’s glycemic index is between 105 and 185, which is actually worse than white sugar’s glycemic index of 65. Maltodextrin ranks highest on the glycemic index. If sugar will kick you out, maltodextrin certainly will! It is also in SF powdered drink mixes. Pillsbury SF cake and brownie mix. Read your ingredients and regularly because they change them. Jello use to be safe. Now Simply Delish brand is the only keto friendly one out there.
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Kathy says
I love jello salads and yes, you are absolutley right about MALTODEXTRIN. It is not just that it raises blood sugar significantly, it keeps it elevated for hours after consumption! It is a corn derivative and most likely is filled with pesticides, etc.
That being said, an occasional splurge probably won’t hurt you unless you are diabetic in which case your blood sugar will thank you for avoiding it! There are plenty of other great desert recipes on this site.Reply
Lulu says
If you’re going to lecture, at least get your facts right. There are TWO types of maltodextrins. The kind used in low calorie foods contain digestion-resistant maltodextrins. A quick trip to Wikipaedia can sort you out, if you still don’t believe the zero carb nutritional label on the Jello package.
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Karen says
Sorry! Forgot to hit the stars. It really does deserve at least 10 stars though!!
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Karen says
I have been making this for a couple of years now. I LOVE it! My grand kidos LOVE it. They call it, Grammy’s Pink Fluffy Stuff. I always have a fresh bowl of it on hand when they’re going to be here. They think they are eating dessert, but since it is sugar free and full of protein and fruit,, I just let ’em eat up on it.
I too have my own little tweeks…. I prefer raspberry sugarfree jello and small curd cottage cheese, and I can use 1/2 C of chopped pecans for the same carb value in place of walnuts. I have found in the mixing, to sprinkle the jello onto the cream in the mixing bowl and let it sit to dissolve while I fold the mascarpone into the cottage cheese and vanilla. The gelatin works as a stabilizer in the whipped cream so it doesn’t seperate. Then fold the cottage cheese mixture into the the Jello/cream mixture, after it is whipped, then fold in the nuts, berries and coconut.
This is one of my all time favorites! Thanks for sharing!!Reply
Mellissa Sevigny says
I was so happy to read this and especially that the Grandkids are enjoying it too! Thanks so much for sharing your variations with us and for taking time to comment!
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Dawna says
Yummmo I love strawberries this is a win for me. In didn’t know courage cheese was keto I love cottage cheese. I will be making this. Hubby will love it
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Mellissa Sevigny says
Hope it’s a hit Dawna! Cottage cheese does have carbs so you have to be careful not to overeat it, but Mr. Hungry loves to eat it for breakfast with some fresh strawberries and he just makes sure to measure and count the carbs towards his total when he’s doing keto and always gets good results!
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Katey Breen says
Once again Mellissa outdoes herself!! This recipe tastes amazing. And not only that, but it is quick and easy. I would say in less than 30 minutes, I had all my ingredients out, put it together and had the kitchen fairly cleaned up. In less than 30 minutes!!! Usually it’s takes me that long just to make something. And the taste is so good. It has so much flavor and texture. This is my new go to recipe. Thank you Mellissa!!
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Mellissa Sevigny says
Yay – so happy to hear this Katey! And it’s on my list to make again next week too now that strawberries are in season locally!
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LeanneKen says
Of course after I post my comment what do I see…a search recipes search bar!! Duh! Please ignore my comment about the search capability, I always look for it at the top of the page and it’s quite difficult to see where it is but now that I know it’s there it won’t be a problem!! Sorry about that!
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LeanneKen says
OUTSTANDING RECIPE!! Honestly this recipe is simple and easy to make. I just have to make sure I have marscapone cheese it’s sooooo much better then cream cheese it’s so silky and velvety in texture. It’s my first time using it and it’s soooo good! I was surprised how much I loved the little nuggets of cottage cheese inside it!! I used Jello brand sugar free strawberry jello I only used one box(I saw someone say I should have used two boxes instead of the one. We found one was perfect it faves terrific flavour. What I did was use chopped pecans because I couldn’t find my walnuts I know I have some in the freezer somewhere! What I did was put some chopped strawberries in the bottom of a glass and then added the mixture and then topped with some additional chopped strawberries and then covered with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 4 hrs.
One other little interesting tidbit after you wash the strawberries and Hull them(removing the green and center core) place them in a resealable container and then cover with white vinegar. They will turn it into a lovely pink strawberry vinegar that you can use in a strawberry salad dressing or give as a gift. Just put the sealer jar in the refrigerator and I’m not sure how long to leave it but I’m sure a week or more would get the results. (It’s a new experiment for me…but I do know it does work…farms never waste anything even the stems! Lol!
Thanks again for the recipe!! One other little comment about your website, I love all your recipes but I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to find them again! Usually I’ve come across them from another site or something or a reference on one of the Keto groups that I’m in. The problem is that once I get to your site I can’t just type in the search criteria anywhere. So then I spend sooo much time trying to find it. A search feature would be an excellent addition, just a little constructive criticism, hope you take it in the spirit in which it’s given. You may not have the search feature for a reason? I was pretty sure you had one before?
Thanks again you are a BRILLIANT chef with extremely inspired recipe ideas that make us home keto bakers loved by all that partake of our delicacies! Simple recipes that I usually already have 90% of them ingredients on hand! Eating delicious recipes like this one make keto a way of life!!
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Lori M says
Yet again, AMAZING! I followed the recipe exactly and chilled it in individual serving dishes. I halved the recipe because I am feeding only myself. It’s a good thing too as I would not be able to resist this too much.
I am not new to Keto, I followed Atkins before Keto was cool. It was just so hard to follow. But with great recipes from this site, it is much easier to cook meals that I can freeze and spread out over time. I read occasional silly comments by some people, but I am looking to keep my glucose levels in check and an occasional treat with artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners won’t kill me. I just think about what I’ve been eating for 50+ years.
So thank you and I am glad to see that your blog is so successful. Your recipes are great.
Lori
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Terry says
This is a great recipe, thank you! So creamy, with a lot of texture and delicious flavors, we loved it! I used Simply Delish jello which doesn’t have aspartame or sucralose and contains no preservatives or artificial colors. Loved the mascarpone in it. After I whipped the cream, I added the mascarpone cheese to the mixer and used the lowest setting called “fold”, and it combined the whipped cream and mascarpone cheese very nicely and easily. I could only find unsweetened coconut flakes at my local store, so I put the coconut flakes in my coffee/nut grinder and ended up with a ground coconut and used that. This salad is awesome, we will be making it many more times I am sure. Thanks for sharing your creative and delicious recipe!
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Mellissa Sevigny says
So happy you were able to make it work for you!
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Linda says
I will make this, but will substitute a home made keto jello instead of the chemicalstew, artificial colors AND flavours that ‘sugar free Jello’ has! Wouldn’t touch it with a 10’ Pole! HOWEVER, with a few adaptions, I bet this is great!!!
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Julie B says
Ambrosia is one of my favorites! With this version I don’t even miss mandarins :)
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Corrie Pittman says
I am going to try this love jello
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Candice G says
This was so amazing. One thing to note, if using sugar free jello, the normal sized box is .3 ounces so you need two. I used pecan pieces instead of walnuts but otherwise, followed the recipe. This is the first time I ever tried mascarpone and it won’t be the last. Thank you – LOVED IT.
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Janice says
I have made a similar Weight Watchers recipe for years. Since there was no way my Nana would try it if she knew it was cottage cheese, I smoothed it out using my immersion blender (I have recently found a smooth cottage cheese available in a tub ?). My old Recipe didn’t have the mascarpone, coconut or nuts, but I can’t wait to try your recipe. Going to get the ingredients today! Thank you for all you do! Love your blog. ❤️
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Kathleen says
This was easy ro make and so delicious!
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Nancy Donnelly says
I Absolutely love the Keto Strawberry Jello Salad and so does my family.
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Jessie says
Can’t wait to try this Jello Salad!
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erika says
I made this yesterday using lime sugar free jello, ricotto as i didn’t have cottage cheese and pecans instead of walnuts. i and my family LUVED the flavor and texture. I will be making this often. Thank you for the recipe. It was so easy to make and very good. I just put it into a bowl to set up and scooped it into fancy dessert dishes.
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Adrianne Haley says
Love all the recipes I’ve tried. My husband does too. Really like https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/keto-strawberry-jello-salad-low-carb/
Reminds me of my mom’s jello salad.
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Jennifer says
Holey moley…I don’t know where you’re living now, but the background in your photos is always gorgeous. Also, what do you think about *maybe* lining a mold pan with generous amounts of saran wrap to make it easier to dislodge?
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Shaye says
This brought me back to my childhood! The sweetness of the strawberries and creaminess of the salad….SO GOOD!!
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Raini says
This looks so delicious and I can’t wait to try it!
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theworleygirlie says
It looks so yummy and pretty too!
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Stacy U says
Looks super yummy!
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Danny says
So refreshing!
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Koshie says
OMG! I am so glad to finally see a congeal here! I’ve been preaching the merits of gelatins and congeals for a decade — but nobody listens to me! That’s okay — they’ve got YOU now! This is a FINE recipe!
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Lynda says
Hmm, this looks super yummy! Do you think I could substitute ricotta for the cottage cheese?
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E. LeCroy says
I would love to make this for my family. I would also love to avoid red food coloring. How much Great Lakes gelatin (orange container) would I use? Could I just add a splash of beer juice for color & get some strawberry flavored stevia or would you recommend a different kind of strawberry flavoring? Sincere Thanks!
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E. LeCroy says
That should read * beet * juice lol
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Mellissa Sevigny says
I’m guessing but 1 tablespoon of the gelatin and whatever strawberry flavoring/sweetener you prefer should work fine. The beet juice will up the carbs a bit but as long as you account for that you should be all set!
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Jan says
So excited about this recipe! Seriously, you’re the only chef’s preamble I read every word of… Usually I find those tedious and boring as I try to muddle through till I find the actual recipe, but yours just makes my day! Feels like we’re BFFs ;)
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Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks so much Jan, that means a lot to me!
Liz says
Melissa, your thoughts on cream cheese in place of mascarpone?
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Caroll says
Is there a sugarfree gelatin that doesn’t use nutra sweet or sucralose.
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Mellissa Sevigny says
I don’t know but if you can’t find one you can always use unflavored gelatin, strawberry flavoring, and the sweetener of your choice!
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Barbara Owen says
What are the amounts of unflavored gelatin and strawberry flavoring needed for this recipe?
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