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Low Carb/Sugar Free Jello Fluff Salad Recipe

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.)

keto jello salad with cottage cheese

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!

jello salad with cottage cheese

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

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

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

A Few More Low Carb Treats to Try:

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

cottage cheese jello salad - empty bowl

Tried this Jello Fluff Recipe?

Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. If you share an image on Instagram or Facebook, be sure to tag me and use #scatteredmomrecipes!

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keto jello salad with cottage cheese

Low Carb/Sugar Free Jello Fluff Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 20 reviews
  • Author: Jamie Sanders
  • 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

Scale
  • 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

  1. Place whipping cream, mixing bowl and beaters in freezer for about 10 minutes before starting.  (Helps the whipping cream whip faster and fluffier
  2. Mix the Jello powder and cottage cheese together until completely combined.
  3. Add pecans and shredded cheese to the jello mixture, combine.
  4. Whip the cream to the soft peak stage and add in your sweetener.
  5. Continue whipping cream until it forms stiff peaks.
  6. Gently fold whipped cream and jello mixture together until completely combined.
  7. 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

Still hungry?  More low sugar recipes you might enjoy:

Decadent Chocolate Mousse

Low Carb Ricotta Cheesecakes

DIY Blackberry Sauce and Ricotta Cheese

Lemon Mouse w/ Strawberries

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64 Comments

  1. Teresa Hickey says:

    can this be made a day in advance or should it be made day of?

    1. I would make it a few hours before. The longer it sits, the consistency changes. It still tastes good, but is not as light and fluffy.

  2. Omg I have tried so many low carb/keto desserts and had to throw them away because they were so awful. I had almost given up on desserts entirely and then I found this!!! It’s so amazing! I absolutely love it. I’m almost in tears! If you’ve been on the low carb/keto struggle you’ll know how desperately you want something sweet that tastes good! Thank you so much!!






    1. I am so glad you like it! Hubby and I have this as a snack quite often. Most of the time, we just want a quick fix and leave out the cream and cheese and just eat the cottage cheese, topped with a few pecans and a sprinkle of the jello powder (as much as you need to achieve your favorite amount of flavor.)

  3. oh yum .. only had strawberry jello but … oh yum






  4. The cottage cheese and heavy whipping cream give this a heavier texture than a normal jello salad, but if you’ve been eating low carb for a while, you are probably used to the low carb stuff being a bit different from the high sugar versions.

    All that being said, this is really good! I like to load mine up with extra pecans.






  5. should i use yello cheddar or white cheddar cheese

  6. I do not like Cherry anything, other flavors can be used?

    1. I’ve tried other flavors but did not care for them. Everyone is different, so give it a shot. Sometimes I just sprinkle the black cherry jello into cottage cheese and eat that. So maybe try that first. If you find a flavor you like making it that way, then give the full recipe a shot. (cream and pecans are $$, that’s why I recommend just trying it with cottage cheese first.

  7. Sue Scully says:

    Hi. I have just made this dessert and I don’t know what went wrong. I used my stand-up mixer. For the life of me, I could not get the cottage cheese to blend smoothly. I whipped it for 10 minutes and hardly anything. I then put it in the micro wave and there were still lumps. It tastes great but looks lumpy. Thank

    1. It is supposed to be lumpy from the cottage cheese.

  8. Can you substitute the cottage cheese with something else?

    1. You could probably substitute it with anything you want, but it wouldnt be the same if you did.

      1. Can you really taste the cottage cheese, not a big fan

      2. I’m not either but all you really taste is the jello. All I can say is give it a try.

  9. Heaven… all I can say… not many options for a desert when watching carbs. This stuff is AWESOME. A friend tried it with orange sugar free jello…. delicious as well.






  10. Made this for Easter as I wanted to have some sort of jello fluff but had just started Keto.
    I could only find SF cherry, not black cherry. Like you said, it’s pretty dense, so with the leftovers I added more cottage cheese and liked it better. But the flavor is awesome!
    PS- Add the cheese!






    1. So glad you liked it! Definitely keep your eye out for the black Carry. That flavor just has a little something special that makes it really really good with this recipe.

  11. This is wonderful! Can’t wait to serve it tomorrow for Easter brunch.






  12. Does the carb count include the carbs for the Heavy Whipping Cream?

    1. Patricia Liszka says:

      Can cool whip be substituted for the whipping cream? Someone in my family is lactose intolerant.

  13. Dang! Just made this and it was a smidge too sweet so I added a little more cottage cheese, heavy whipping cream, a pinch of nuts, and a sprinkle of cheese and it was spot on perfect! I feel like I’m waddling now after taste testing it before serving! Yum yum!!






    1. The desired sweetness level will definitely vary from person to person. Lately, I’ve been doing a version of this for a snack – just the cottage cheese and pecans sprinkled with a bit of the black cherry jello powder. (I don’t measure, I just give it a taste.) It’s so good! I’ve tried several jello flavors, but definitely keep coming back to the black cherry!

  14. Is the carb count based on six or eight servings?

  15. 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!






    1. Couldn’t agree more, lol!

  16. Pamela Frederick says:

    I messed up my first try at this…..I started out putting the ingredients inside the chilled mixer bowl. Didn’t realize I should have combined the first few ingredients in a separate bowl.

    Luckily, I had enough ingredients to do a second try. This time things worked as they should have. The little bit I licked off the spatula was good. Looking forward to having a serving after dinner this evening.

    Thanks for the recipe.

    P. Frederick






  17. I like to use CocoWhip which is similar to cool whip but has coconut oil instead of hydrogenated oils. Tastes just as good, if not better than cool whip.

    1. I have never seen this before! Is it sugar free?

  18. Can I sub anything for the nuts (nut allergy here) or just leave them out entirely? Thanks!

    1. Leave them out or sub with whatever you normally use to sub for nuts. The pecans taste really good, but they also give the fluff a nice texture.

  19. I just made the fluff and I questioned the addition of the cheese too, but let me tell you – this stuff is da bomb!! I didn't change a thing. It is wonderful.






  20. Tricia Goss says:

    What purpose does the shredded cheese serve? Just wondering if it's optional as the idea is a little off-putting to me lol Could you use shredded unsweetened coconut instead? Looks delish!

    1. The purpose of that shredded cheese is delicious-ness. You just have to try it.
      ~Jamie