Coca-Cola Salad for Retro #SundaySupper

Yes, it is a Jello salad. When was the last time you had one of those? I seriously doubt it or any gelatin salad has been on a restaurant menu in many years, if ever. You may have seen it at potlucks. Coca-Cola salad is sweet and tart with the flavors of cherry, cola, pineapple, and nuts. It is incredible with ham. My mom makes it often and still gets requests for the recipe. I was so excited for the opportunity to share it here. Why share it today? Well…

Sunday Supper is celebrating retro foods. This salad is about as retro and southern as you can get. Retro because of the popularity of gelatin salads back in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s. Southern because of the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola company and Georgia being the leader of US pecan production. I could not think of a better recipe to share. Plus it is really good. Really.

How good is it? Let’s see…I made it, took photos, and served it for dinner. My husband had two helpings. A little later I found him in the kitchen snacking on it. Half of it was gone by the next evening. The rest disappeared shortly thereafter. This is a treat for you if you like Jello, Coca-Cola, cherries, pineapple, and pecans. It looks really cool too with the vibrant red color and the way it shines.

Notes on the recipe: The one I had in my notebook is what I got from my mom long ago. It shows it’s age because it called for cherries in a #2 can. Um, what is a #2 can? I had to call my mom to clarify. I honestly have not seen recipes stating can type sizes. Have you? I have no clue where the recipe came from originally. I think my mom got it from a friend who got it from a friend and so on.

3.76 from 50 votes

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Coca-Cola Salad

A recipe for Coca-Cola salad, a gelatin salad made with Jello, Coca-Cola, cherries, pineapple, and nuts. Serve it as a side dish or dessert.

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 12 servings

Author Renee

Ingredients

• 6 ounces cherry-flavored Jello not sugar-free
• 1 cup boiling water
• 10 ounces Coca-Cola
• 1 can red tart pitted cherries in water 14.5 to 16 ounces
• 1 can crushed pineapple 8 ounces
• 1 cup chopped pecans raw or lightly toasted

Instructions

1. Place the Jello in a large bowl. Pour the boiling water over it and stir until dissolved. Stir in the Coca-Cola. Refrigerate mixture until partially firm, about 30 minutes. NOTE: check and stir every 3 to 5 minutes. You want it a thickened but not set.
2. Place the cherries and juice in a food processor fitted with a knife blade or in a blender. Pulse or blend a few times to lightly chop the cherries.
3. Once the Jello mixture has thickened, stir in the chopped cherries and it's juice, pineapple and it's juice, and pecans. Pour into a Jello/gelatin mold. Refrigerate until set or overnight. Remove salad from the mold by inverting onto a serving platter. Serve cold.

Recipe Notes

If you do not have a Jello or gelatin mold then you can leave it in the large bowl. Invert onto a serving dish when ready to serve.

Are you ready for more retro recipes? Take a look at what the talented Sunday Supper bloggers are sharing:

Sunday Supper Retro Appetizers:

• Irish Cheddar-Whiskey Fondue by girlichef
• She Devils: Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs by Ruffles & Truffles

Sunday Supper Retro Salads:

• Coca-Cola Salad by Magnolia Days
• Salmon Salad | Retro Tuna Salad by Family Foodie
• Ambrosia Salad by Simply Gourmet
• Romaine “Wedge” Salad with Hot Maple Bacon Dressing by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Carrot & Raisin Salad by The Roxx Box
• Sweet & Smoky Broccoli Salad by In The Kitchen with KP

Sunday Supper Retro Breads and Sandwiches:

• Italian Style Bread by The Meltaways
• Creamed Chipped Salmon Jerky on Toast by Pescetarian Journal
• Grown-Up Tuna Melts by Home Cooking Memories
• English Muffin Pizzas by Comfy Cuisine
• Patty Melt, Hand Cut Fries, & a Shake by Mooshu Jenne
• Grown-Up Grilled Cheese With Tomato Soup by Catholic Foodie
• Toast Topper #16: Grandma’s Mock Apricot Jam by What Smells So Good?

SundaySupper Main Dishes:

• Chicken Pot Pie Topped With Bacon Cheddar Biscuits by Chocolate Moosey
• Tuna Noodle Casserole by Country Girl in the Village
• Nana’s Marinated Beef Roast by Supper for a Steal
• Chorizo Scotch Eggs by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Chicken Maryland by Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Mushroom Stroganoff by Small Wallet Big Appetite
• Dairyfree Toast Hawaii by Galactosemia in PDX
• Porcupine Meatballs by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Chicken Kiev by The Urban Mrs.
• Salmon Quiche with Preserved Lemon by Shockingly Delicious
• Steak Diane by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
• Fried Chicken only in the Oven by In the Kitchen with Audrey
• Hambak Steak a.k.a. Salisbury Steak by Kimchi Mom
• Retro-Redo: Homemade TV Dinner by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
• Kicked Up Meatloaf by Curious Cuisiniere
• Shrimp Scampi (a lighter version) by Kudos Kitchen
• Old-Fashioned Pork Chops by My Trials in the Kitchen
• Jägerschnitzel by Sustainable Dad
• Healthier Hamburger-Corn Noodle Casserole by The Weekend Gourmet
• Inspired by Tuna Noodle Casserole by Cookistry
• Chicken-N-Biscuits Pot Pie Casserole by The Messy Baker Blog
• Souper Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes by Mama.Mommy.Mom
• Meatloaf that will make you swoon and Datz the truth by Midlife Roadtrip
• Spaghetti with Currywurst Sauce by Masala Herb
• Tator Tot Casserole by NeighborFood

Sunday Supper Retro Sides and Veggies:

• Smokey Braised Red Cabbage by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Classic Corn Casserole by The Foodie Army Wife
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
• Classic Green Bean Casserole Redux by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Mem’s Broccoli Casserole by Momma’s Meals

Sunday Supper Retro Desserts and Cocktails:

• Peachy Keen Tutti-Frutti Jello by La Cocina de Leslie
• Old School Boozy Rum Cake by Webicurean
• Individual Baked Alaskas by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Rainbow Jello by Cravings of a Lunatic
• Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Noshing with the Nolands
• Pineapple Bars by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Creamy Dairy Free Fresh Orange Julius With Coconut Milk  by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Refrigerator Strawberry Cheesecake by There and Back Again
• Frozen Pineapple Upside-Down Cake by Juanita’s Cocina
• Boston Cream Pie by Gotta Get Baked
• Coca-Cola Cupcakes by Daily Dish Recipes
• Jello Poke Cake by Flour On My Face
• Devil’s Food Cake by Maroc Mama
• Bread Pudding with Pecans by Basic and Delicious
• Victoria Sponge Cake by The Lovely Pantry
• A Chocolate Twist on the Classic Japanese Strawberry Shortcake by Ninja Baking
• Post War Apple Pudding by My Cute Bride
• Layered Mini Chocolate Banana Cakes by Big  Bears Wife
• Raspberry Jam Cakes by Pippis in the Kitchen Again
• Cocktail: Moscow Mule by Crazy by Crazy Foodie Stunts

What fun to read the stories about the recipes! There’s lots of great food in the list. I admit I still make and enjoy many of them. Nice to see some updated versions too. Which one is your favorite?

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

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Special thanks to Terry and Jim Gardner for letting me borrow their old coke bottles for the photo!