Black Cherry Salad is a retro-style gelatin salad blending sweet and savory elements. Popular during the mid-20th century, this dish features Bing cherries, orange gelatin, chopped pecans, and a surprising savory twist, sliced stuffed olives. The sweet-tart balance of cherries and citrusy lemon juice with the richness of pecans and briny olives makes this salad a uniquely nostalgic side. Often served on lettuce with a dollop of mayonnaise, it represents the era’s creativity in combining fruit, nuts, and unexpected ingredients for buffet tables, holiday meals, or luncheons.
Ingredients
- 3½ cups pitted Bing cherries
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 3 oz orange-flavored gelatin
- ¾ cup pecans (chopped )
- 3 oz stuffed green olives (sliced)
- Water
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Liquid Base
- Drain cherries, reserving the syrup.
- Add water and lemon juice to the cherry syrup to make a total of 1¾ cups liquid.
Step 2: Dissolve Gelatin
- Heat the combined liquid until hot.
- Pour over orange gelatin powder and stir until fully dissolved.
Step 3: Add Ingredients
- Chill gelatin mixture until partially set.
- Stir in cherries, chopped pecans, and sliced olives.
Step 4: Mold and Chill
- Pour mixture into individual molds or shallow serving pans.
- Chill until completely firm, about 3 hours.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve on lettuce leaves with a dollop of mayonnaise, if desired.
Tips
- Use cherry or lemon gelatin instead of orange for a different flavor profile.
- Replace stuffed olives with chopped celery for a crunchier texture.
- Add diced pineapple or orange segments for extra fruitiness.
- Serve in a ring mold with mayonnaise or cream cheese in the center for a classic presentation.
- For a lighter version, use sugar-free gelatin.
Nutrition
Calories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 223mgPotassium: 158mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 848IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 2mg
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