This cool, refreshing orange-cream jello salad with mandarin oranges is the perfect side dish for any family gathering. You will love the sweet, creamy citrus flavor combined with the texture of the tapioca pearls and oranges. With the Easter holiday just around the corner, add this delicious, fluffy jello salad to your holiday dinner. If you’re a fan of mandarin oranges, also try this Orange Fluff Jello Salad.
My mom got this recipe from her friend, Diane. It’s a recipe that’s been in our family for years, and one my mom makes for every holiday. It’s usually made with oranges, but it also works great with raspberries and raspberry jello. Fresh strawberries and strawberry jello are also delicious.
The holidays would not be the same at our house without some type of jello salad on the menu. I hope you like this jello salad as much as we do.
Recipes Perfect for Easter Dinner
- Hot Cross Buns
- Holiday Ham
- Classic Scalloped Potatoes
- The Best Dinner Rolls
- Spinach Poppy Seed Salad
- Pam’s Amazing Holiday Jello
Step-by-Step Photos for How to Make Orange Tapioca Jello Salad
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Make Orange Tapioca Jello Salad
Can I use different jello flavors and fruit?
Yes. Other yummy combinations are raspberries with raspberry jello and strawberries with strawberry jello.
Will instant pudding work?
It is important to use cook & serve pudding because the instant pudding will not set up as well.
Can I substitute tapioca pearls for the tapioca pudding?
Unfortunately, no. For this jello salad, the tapioca pudding mix helps it set up.
Will sugar-free jello and pudding work in this recipe?
I have never made it with sugar-free jello and pudding, but I don’t see why it would not work.
Can I use fresh mandarin oranges in this recipe?
Yes, fresh mandarin oranges will work in this recipe.
How far in advance can I make this jello salad?
You can make this salad the day before you’re going to serve it, and it will still be good.
Chef’s Tools:
Don't Forget Dessert!
- 3 cups water
- 1 (3 ounce) pkg orange jello
- 1 (3 ounce) pkg cook & serve vanilla pudding
- 1 (3 ounce) pkg cook & serve tapioca pudding
- 1 (16 ounce) Cool Whip
- 2 (8.25 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
- In a large saucepan bring to boil the water.
- Whisk in the orange jello, vanilla pudding, and tapioca pudding. Return to a boil, and boil for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Next, remove from heat and let the orange jello mixture cool completely. I let it cool in the refrigerator. First, I put a hot pad on the fridge shelf, and then place the saucepan on the hot pad.
- Once the orange jello mixture has cooled, place it in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the Cool Whip until it's thoroughly combined.
- Next, fold in the drained mandarin oranges.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Enjoy!
- ** Whenever I make this jello salad, I double it, and that's why you see double the ingredients—with the exception of the mandarin oranges—in the step-by-step photos.
Treats for Easter
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