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 – don’t make this recipe. Make this Jello Salad recipe instead: Black Cherry Jello Salad. (It’s the traditional Jello Salad Recipe you are probably looking for.)
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. (The nearest holiday dish to rival it, is my mom’s mashed candied yam casserole, but the jello salad will always be my favorite.)
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’m committed to sticking with my low sugar/low carb way of eating- especially through the holidays.
To be successful, 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 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
Guy’s- 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!
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 its a perfect low carb/keto dessert and all the pecans provide just the right amount of crunchiness.
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. (Even though the cartons say zero, the jello and cream do have carbs. I think a product can have almost .9 carbs per serving and still be allowed to say zero in the nutritional facts.)
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 then you’re probably used to, but I can’t begin to tell you how much my hubby and I love this recipe.
It could be because we’re eating fewer sweets, but every little spoonful is like a bite of Heaven!
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.
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. Only 10 comments show at a time, so you will have to click the link for “older comments”, to see them all. (Lots of comments, slow down the page loading – Who knew?)
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!”
Mmm, good- I could not wait to eat it!
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 in this salad.
Have fun and if you make it, be sure to come back and leave a comment or tag me on instagram with your photos. (Use #scatteredmomrecipes)
Don’t Miss the Video
There is a How-To Video at the bottom of this post!
A Few More Low Carb Treats to Try:
- Low Carb Crustless Cheesecake (in the pressure cooker!)
- Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie Granola Recipe
- Low Carb Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Recipe
- Sugar Free Candied Pecans
- Low Carb Chocolate Mousse
Low Carb/Sugar Free Jello Fluff Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
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
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 184
- Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: low carb, sugar free, jello , dessert, fluff
Still hungry? More low sugar recipes you might enjoy:
Don't miss any more posts!
Sheila Snyder says
I’m so disappointed and confused. I scrutinized the recipe. It doesn’t tell you to prepare the jello according to package directions, the add the cottage cheese & combine well. Soooo I assumed (you know what they say about that) that you were not supposed to add the water. I combined the jello powder with the cottage cheese. It looked NOTHING like the photo, so I then added in the water. Now it looks all soupy. Again, nothing like the photo. I’m hesitant to whip the cream & add it. I guess I’m going to start over, but I still don’t know exactly what to do with the jello. Could you please let me know. Thanks so much
Jamie Sanders says
That is because you don’t make according to the package. You add it to the cottage cheese and stir it in as best you can. yes it looks all spotty and wierd, but then you add in the heavy whipped cream that you have already whipped and it smooths out. There is even a video at the end that shows you how to make it.
Dorothy says
Has anyone tried sf instant pudding (cheesecake flavor), cream cheese and heavy whipping cream? Add some fresh strawberries? A cheesecake dessert.
Michelle Karabec says
This is the best! I add some unsweetened shredded coconut to mine and yum yum! So good! Thanks for a great keto dessert!
★★★★★
Tiya says
Is there a way to make something like this without using boxed jello (use Great Lakes beef gelatin)?
Sally says
I just made this and OH MY GOSH. I used the exact ingredients mentioned (including Colby jack cheese) and found this to be amazing. My only question is what is considered a serving? 1 cup? 1/2 cup? I used the exact measurements.
★★★★★
Jamie Sanders says
I never really measured, just divided it into 8 servings.
Karen says
Oh my goodness! I missed this dessert so much since going low carb. At first I was very apprehensive about the cheese in it but I made the recipe as written & added about 3 chopped strawberries to it. This dessert was amazing! Thanks for sharing!!
★★★★★
Sharon Eddins says
Can this be used with cool whip?
Jamie Sanders says
I haven’t tried it, but I am assuming it can. I have a slightly different jello salad with cool whip here: https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/favorite-holiday-recipes-black-cherry/ There is no cottage cheese in it.
Cherie says
I am on Keto and have mixed instant pudding pack with 3 cups of heavy cream and it’s to die for and lasts several days in the drug but does have carbs.
I have been considering mixing a box of jello with the 2 or 3 cups of heavy whipping cream and possibly 1/2 brick of cream cheese too. Have you done this? I can’t find anything on the internet.
Victoria Nelson says
Hi Cherie, a friend and I have experimented with the sugar free jello/cream cheese/heavy cream you asked about. She loves using the sugar free orange jello. I prefer a berry flavor. We used a full 8 oz. brick of softened cream cheese (beaten until smooth) and blended in the jello powder thoroughly before slowly beating in 2 cups of heavy cream. We each felt the need to add a little sweetener to reduce the tartness. She used a teaspoon; I used a tbsp. It was delicious. I scooped it into individual serving containers with lids, put them in the refrigerator and ate one each evening for dessert. They should keep as long as your cream cheese and heavy cream would have kept in the refrigerator after opening. Note: The jello didn’t totally dissolve and left tiny little “lumps” in the cream cheese, so I may need to experiment more with that step to get it smoother. Don’t get me wrong, it was still delicious and I ate every bit of it! I’ve also been thinking of experimenting with combining sugar free jello with sugar free pudding and heavy cream. Like raspberry jello with white chocolate pudding. There are a few carbs in each serving of any of these recipes, but these treats keep me from diving head-first into a carton of ice cream.
Jamie, I can’t wait to try your recipe. I’m not a fan of cottage cheese, so I’m hoping beating it well makes it smooth enough that I won’t be bothered by it. Otherwise, I may substitute cream cheese for the cottage cheese. The idea of the shredded cheddar doesn’t bother me at all, but some unsweetened shredded coconut sounds awesome as well. And pecans! I wish pecans were totally carb-free because everything is better with loads of pecans!
Susan Huth says
How long would this keep in the fridge? I cook for just me and would like a snack that I can grab for a few days. Would the whip cream be a problem?
Jamie says
It will last for several days. Although it seems like it becomes denser over time. My guess is that it might be because the longer it sits, the more time the gelatin has to work?
Susan says
Can it be frozen?
Jamie says
I don’t believe so.
Jodi says
I have made this a few times now.
First time was with the dark cherry as suggested , it was nice but a bit sweet.. Perhaps because it has been ages since having something sweet.
The following time , I figured I would try something different , and prayed it would be just as nice. I used a little less stevia than before , but instead of the dark cherry I used orange mango. It was heaven!!!
I use fresh shredded colby instead of cheddar too. You really don’t notice the shredded cheese in it. In fact , if you had it served and never made it , you wouldn’t even know it’s 90% cheese content.
Thank you so much for this amazing recipe!!
Can’t wait to try more flavours , as I like to be adventurous with this one!
★★★★★