This charming fruit salad blends classic canned peaches, fresh or frozen blueberries, and sweet grapes in a delicate lemon or peach gelatin base. A creamy sour cream and mayo dressing tops it off, adding richness to this refreshing chilled dessert. Popular in the mid-20th century, this jello-based salad showcases the era's love of colorful, sweet-and-savory dishes perfect for potlucks, church gatherings, or Sunday dinners. It’s simple to prepare and makes a visually vibrant addition to any table.
Ingredients
- 16 oz sliced peaches, packed in juice (1 can)
- 1 cup peach liquid (as needed, plus water)
- 3 oz lemon-flavored gelatin (or peach-flavored gelatin)
- 1 cup cold water
- ½ cup seedless grapes
- 1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen)
Dressing:
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Liquid Base
- Drain canned peaches, reserving the liquid. Add water to the peach juice until it measures 1 cup total.
Step 2: Dissolve Gelatin
- Place the liquid in a small saucepan, cover, and heat until boiling. Remove from heat and add gelatin. Stir until completely dissolved.
Step 3: Add Cold Water
- Stir in 1 cup cold water. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch square dish.
Step 4: Chill and Add Fruit
- Chill until the mixture is slightly thickened. Slice peaches and add to gelatin along with grapes and blueberries. Stir gently to combine.
Step 5: Finish and Chill
- Cover and chill until fully set.
Step 6: Make and Spread Dressing
- In a small bowl, combine sour cream and mayonnaise. Spread over the top of the set fruit salad before serving.
Tips
- Use peach-flavored gelatin for a stronger stone-fruit flavor.
- Substitute mandarin oranges for part of the peaches for added acidity.
- Fold in mini marshmallows for a retro-style fluff salad.
- Use fresh whipped cream instead of sour cream/mayo if preferring a lighter topping.
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts for texture.
- Replace grapes with halved strawberries for a red–blue fruit mix.
- For a firmer set, reduce cold water to ¾ cup.
- Serve in individual parfait cups for parties or potlucks.
- Chill the fruit beforehand so the gelatin thickens more quickly.
- Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt for a tangier, slightly healthier version.
Nutrition
Calories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 94mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 223IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.3mg
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