Buttermilk Congealed Salad

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This buttermilk congealed salad recipe is the definition of a Southern delicacy. The fruity-flavored creamy Jello salad is so refreshing to dive into on a hot summer’s day.

Spoonful of buttermilk congealed salad.

You might be wondering what exactly is a congealed salad. Often called Jello salad, it’s a retro Southern treat that became popular in the 1930s when food was scarce and gelatin was cheap. Door-to-door salesmen carried a wide array of it and my grandmothers used to delight in purchasing a multitude of what was likely the only convenience food they could afford.

The popular Southern side dish is made with flavored gelatin (such as Jello), fruit, vegetables, and/or nuts. Some options include cream cheese and sour cream rather than buttermilk, chopped walnuts or pecans for an extra crunch, and celery or carrot for a refreshing alternative. People usually serve it in a molded shape but scooping it in an ice cream dish is just fine too!

Now, my version of congealed salad includes buttermilk, strawberry gelatin, and crushed pineapple. The combination of the tropical pineapple with the salad’s creamy and crunchy texture is divine. Congealed salad is very popular in the South, and in particular around the holidays, so I highly recommend giving it a go. It’s so easy to make with just a few simple steps.

You can also use whatever gelatin is your favorite, whether that’s peach, orange, cherry, lime, or strawberry like me. If you’re going for a Christmas theme, I highly recommend using strawberry, cherry, or lime jello. Enjoy!

If you love Jello make sure to check our some of my other recipes like Strawberry Jello PieJello Poke Cake RecipeCherry Jello Pie, and Patriotic Jello Jars.

Labeled ingredients for buttermilk congealed salad.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Buttermilk
  • Gelatin (I use sugar-free gelatin, but you can use whatever you prefer).
  • Whipped topping (I use Cool Whip)
  • Crushed pineapple can

Helpful Kitchen Tools

How To Make Buttermilk Congealed Salad

Heat pineapple and juice on stovetop.

Place pineapple and juice in a pot

Bring pineapple to a boil.

Bring them to a boil.

Add gelatin powder to pot.

Add gelatin powder.

Mix ingredients and then remove from heat.

Mix well, then remove the gelatin mixture from the heat.

Add buttermilk to pot.

Add buttermilk.

Stir ingredients together.

Stir ingredients together.

Let ingredients cool for 30 minutes.

Now we’re going to let this cool for 20 to 30 minutes.

Add whipped topping to pot.

Next, stir in the whipped topping.

Mix ingredients together.

Until it looks like this!

Refrigerate congealed salad.

Now refrigerate to your desired texture (I recommend at least four hours or overnight).

Glasses of buttermilk congealed salad.

Now it’s time to serve! 

I just pop my salad in glasses, but if you use a mold you can slice it like a cake.

Spoonful of buttermilk congealed salad.

You can also opt to add some whipped cream on top if you like.

But I’m going to dig in as is! Yummo!

Storage

This congealed salad can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to five days.

Recipe Variations

  • If you like, you can add some chopped celery, chopped walnuts, or chopped pecans to your congealed salad. I’d add up to 2 cups in total.
  • Another option is to add more canned fruit with the pineapple, like canned mandarin oranges or fruit cocktail.
  • Remember you can use whatever jello you like. Lime jello is one of the most popular congealed salad flavors!

Recipe FAQs

What does congealed salad mean?

Congealed salad is a salad made from gelatin combined with fruit, vegetables, and/or nuts.

When did congealed salads first become popular?

Congealed salads first became popular in the Southern United States in the 1930s.

Can you freeze congealed salads?

No, it’s best not to freeze this buttermilk salad. Because it contains gelatin, it won’t freeze properly. Fortunately, it lasts up to five days in the fridge.

How do you unmold a congealed salad?

If you want to go the traditional route and use a mold or bundt pan, first spray the mold with nonstick cooking spray before adding the ingredients. Then to remove the buttermilk salad from the mold, I recommend placing it in a shallow pan filled with hot water. Take a sharp knife and carefully separate the salad from the mold around the edges. Then after a couple of minutes, turn the mold upside down and deposit the salad onto a serving plate. If it doesn’t come out, repeat this process.

Can you make this congealed salad ahead of time?

Yes, it’s best to refrigerate the buttermilk salad overnight. So making it one or two days in advance is actually recommended.

Is congealed salad the same as gelatin salad or Jello salad?

Yes, all of these salads refer to the same dish.

Glass of buttermilk congealed salad.

Buttermilk Congealed Salad

A very popular treat in the South, this buttermilk congealed salad recipe combines Jello with fruit to make a refreshing dessert.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chilling Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Course: Dessert, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: buttermilk, jello, salad
Servings: 4
Calories: 418kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 8 ounces whipped topping, thawed
  • 2 small boxes gelatin of your choice y

Instructions

  • Heat pineapple in juice and bring to a boil.
    1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple
  • Add jello and mix well.
    2 small boxes gelatin of your choice
  • Remove from heat, add buttermilk, and stir.
    2 cups buttermilk
  • Allow it to cool for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Stir in whipped topping.
    8 ounces whipped topping, thawed
  • Refrigerate to your desired texture. I recommend four hours or overnight.

Nutrition

Calories: 418kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

You may also enjoy these other holiday salad recipes:

Dr Pepper Congealed Salad

Fresh Fruit Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing

Grandmamas Holiday Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad With Vanilla Pudding

Watergate Salad

Southern Grape Salad

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142 Comments

  1. My family has a variety of these recipes too and they were always welcome at any table and fun too!

  2. I grew up on a wide variety of congealed salads. I love the texture and flavors ran anywhere from an orange salad with pineapples to what we called Watergate Salad. It seems that most all congealed salads I’ve ever had contained pineapple either crushed or diced … I wonder what the jello/pineapple mix is all about?? hmmmm!

  3. That does look tasty. I love all your stories, even (especially) the ones full of tangents – it’s like we’re sitting together on a porch swing chatting about family! Man, I wish I lived in the south sometimes!

    1. JoAnn, it does not taste like buttermilk at all! My Mammaw used to make this and we just love it (she used orange jello). Now I carry on the tradition and make it.

  4. This is a great recipe…we have had this in our home for years and years. You might want to add the 2 packs of flavored gelatin to the ‘recipe’. Ü

  5. Christy! Girl you have been busy! I was fixin to post a comment on your previous one and this came up. This is another great post! I swear you and I must be cousins. I have had those “conjealed salads” more times than I can count. I also love those names…I have aunts Berneice, Lorraine, and my mom is Evelyn. Oldies but goodies. When I named my girls my husbands grandpa asked why I couldnt just name them Mary. Something easy. LOL Sorry to ramble. I am so proud of you, congrats on being picked for foodbuzz. Lucky you and us!

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