Low carb & Sugar Fee- this Keto Jello Salad is perfect for the holiday table!

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Low Carb/Keto Jello Salad Recipe: Want an amazing and oh-so-easy Low Carb and Sugar-Free Dessert? Look no further, this low carb Jello Fluff dessert is exactly what you need to satisfy your sweet tooth! (Is it a salad or is a dessert? I’m not sure the answer, but what I do know is that it’s delicious!)

FYI: If you are not a low-carb eater – this may not be the recipe you want. Make this Jello Salad recipe instead: Black Cherry Jello Salad. (It’s the traditional Jello Salad Recipe made with cool whip you are probably looking for.) or this Cranberry Jello Salad. (Made with Jello, fresh cranberries, fruit, and nuts, but no cool whip.)

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Jello Salad, a Holiday Tradition

A few years back, I shared a recipe for the traditional, family-favorite jello salad we serve at every holiday gathering. That jello salad is probably in my top 10 favorite dishes ever and definitely, makes the holiday meal.

Black Cherry Jello, Cool Whip and nuts… What’s not to love? I think everyone grew up with some variation of this side dish at every holiday meal.

Low Carb Options Needed for the Holiday Meal

I’ve finished the hard part of my diet, (goodbye 25 lbs, please never come back) and I really needed to come up with a few lower-carb dishes that would fit seamlessly into our holiday menus.

This low carb Black Cherry Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese is perfect to replace the old-sugar-laden jello salads.

So happy I finally have a few side dishes that are just as good as the old recipes!

Another good low-carb side dish recipe I’ve been making a lot is my low-carb broccoli salad. The broccoli salad is a good one to take to potlucks- it’s delicious, full of good for you broccoli and no one knows it is low-carb, lol.

And don’t forget the sugar-free cranberry relish – goes great with turkey!

Why You Need to Make this Low Carb Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese

Delicious – I could have totally shared this recipe with you much sooner because I’ve made it at least 6 times now. The problem is, we just keep eating it before I can get pictures!
Perfect Low Carb treat – If you are eating low carb, you are probably not eating a lot of sweets, and this decadently rich and creamy jello salad will hit the spot. It’s sweet and full of fat, so it’s a perfect low carb/keto dessert and all the pecans provide just the right amount of crunchiness.
Simple to make – You don’t even have to wait for the Jello to set up.

Jello salad with cottage cheese

I knew it would be easy to remake the jello salad recipe into a low carb version since sugar-free Jello and heavy cream are very low on the carb scale.

I’ve seen jello salads made with cottage cheese so I wanted to try to combine a cottage cheese salad and my jello salad and see how it turned out.

I totally scored with this new recipe! In fact, I think I like this Jello Salad with Cottage cheese better than the old recipe. I will say, the texture is a bit different from the original since I’m using different (heavier) ingredients for the base.

The heavy whipping cream and cottage cheese make for a “denser” jello salad than you might be used to, but I can’t begin to tell you how much my hubby and I love this recipe.

Every little spoonful is like a bite of Heaven!

Ingredients in this Keto Jello Fluff

Cottage Cheese | Highest fat / lowest carb count you can find.
Sugar free Black Cherry Jello | The box w/ 4 servings. And yes, if you wanted to make this no sugar free, regular black cherry jello works as well. If you cant find black cherry, try regular cherry or raspberry.
Shredded cheddar cheese | I prefer to shred the cheese myself, but preshredded works fine. You can also use colby jack cheese.
Chopped pecans
Heavy Whipping Cream | I have not tried cool whip in this recipe
No sugar sweetener | (For the whipped cream.) I like to use Swerve, but just use your favorite cup for cup sweetener.

How to make Jello Salad with Cottage cheese

Place whipping cream, mixing bowl and beaters in freezer for about 10 minutes before starting. (Helps the whipping cream whip faster and fluffier.)
Mix the Jello powder and cottage cheese together until completely combined.
Add pecans and shredded cheese to the jello mixture, combine.
Whip the cream to the soft peak stage and add in your sweetener.
Continue whipping cream until it forms stiff peaks.
Gently fold whipped cream and jello mixture together until completely combined.
Chill 2 to 4 hours before serving.

FAQ’s

Is Cottage Cheese Low Carb?

Cottage cheese does have a few carbs per serving. (so this recipe is not zero carb).

When choosing the cottage cheese for this recipe, be sure to compare labels and look for one with more fat. As an example, the Horizon brand has fewer carbs than other cottage cheese brands w/ 4% milkfat. In cottage cheese, higher fat = fewer carbs.

What is the Carb Count for this recipe?

Using the Horizon brand of cottage cheese, (Horizon brand has fewer carbs than other cottage cheese brands w/ 4% milkfat) and calculating it with 8 servings, the carb count is 2 net grams per serving.

Can I Use Other Flavors Of Jello In This Keto Version Of Jello Salad?

Yes, of course you can!

Now, I’m a bit picky and really just prefer to make it with the black cherry flavor, but the comments are full of people using lemon, mango, strawberry and just loving it. So, all I can say is just try it. If you wanted to do a tiny experiment, you might just try a smidge of your jello flavor in some unsweetened whipped cream. If you like that, you will probably like the flavor of this salad.

How to Store Leftovers

This keto jello salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Do I Have To Use The Shredded Cheese In This Jello Salad With Cottage Cheese?

Seems like a lot of cheese doesn’t it? Well technically, you could leave out the shredded cheese, but I recommend you don’t. (Or at least try it once with the shredded cheese.)

The shredded cheddar adds a flavor and texture component that sounds weird, but is really good!

This post has a ton of comments with people asking questions and offering substitutions and variations. If you have time to wade through all the comments, I recommend it.

Here is a comment about the use of shredded cheese. (From Deb – thanks Deb!)

“Just made this and I’m telling you to use the cheese! Seems like it doesn’t make and sense and you’re right, ! But boy oh boy it is delicious with it! Don’t cheat yourself!”

sugar free jello dessert with cottage cheese

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A Few More Low Carb Treats to Try:

Mmm, good- I could not wait to eat it!

Tried this Jello Fluff Recipe?

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Low Carb/Sugar Free Jello Fluff Salad Recipe

★★★★★ 4.7 from 9 reviews

Author: Jamie Sanders
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Yield: 8 servings

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Description

Low Carb Jello Salad Recipe: Want an amazing and oh-so-easy Low Carb and Sugar-Free Dessert? Look no further, this low carb Jello Fluff dessert is exactly what you need to satisfy your sweet tooth! (Is it a salad or is a desert? I’m not sure the answer, but what I do know is that it’s delicious!)

Ingredients

1 cup Cottage Cheese (highest fat./lowest carb count you can find)
1 packet of Sugar free Black Cherry Jello (the box w/ 4 servings)
1/2 cup of shredded colby jack or cheddar cheese (use more if you like)
1/3 cup chopped pecans (more if you like)
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
2 tbsp of your favorite cup for cup, no sugar sweetener. (I like Swerve)

Instructions

Place whipping cream, mixing bowl and beaters in freezer for about 10 minutes before starting. (Helps the whipping cream whip faster and fluffier
Mix the Jello powder and cottage cheese together until completely combined.
Add pecans and shredded cheese to the jello mixture, combine.
Whip the cream to the soft peak stage and add in your sweetener.
Continue whipping cream until it forms stiff peaks.
Gently fold whipped cream and jello mixture together until completely combined.
Chill 2 to 4 hour before serving. (Though I never wait that long when making this for me, lol!)

Enjoy!

Notes

Cottage cheese does have a few carbs per serving. Compare labels and look for one with more fat. As an example, the Horizon brand has fewer carbs than other cottage cheese brands w/ 4% milkfat.
serves 6 to 8
Carbs per serving: 2