This colorful, striking Layered Jello Rainbow Salad is a festive favorite in many households. For Christmas, try using only red, green, and white — it always steals the show.
With just flavored gelatin, unflavored gelatin, sweetened condensed milk, and water, this vibrant Ribbon Jello salad is easy to make — though it requires patience as each layer chills.
Why You Must Make
- Not difficult to prepare — the recipe is straightforward; it’s the chilling time that takes patience.
- Only a few ingredients are required.
- Kids and grandkids will be impressed by the colorful result.
- Playful and versatile — you can cut it into squares or fun shapes for parties.
I remember loving the simple boxed 1-2-3 Jello from childhood, so I recreated that nostalgic dessert with a twist. Instead of three layers, this ribbon salad has multiple alternating colored and creamy layers for an eye-catching nine-layer effect when sliced.
This recipe is perfect to make a day or two ahead of your event. Set aside a relaxed afternoon — read a book or stream a show — and build the layers in stages. The finished dish makes a memorable addition to any table.
Expert Tips
For my version I used five small boxes of flavored Jello, Knox unflavored gelatin, and a can of sweetened condensed milk. A clear 9 x 13-inch Pyrex pan lets you see all the layers as you work.
- PRO tip: Swap color combinations for different holidays — red and green for Christmas, red-white-blue for the 4th of July, or school colors for game day.
- Prepare individual servings in parfait or highball glasses for a neat presentation.
- Find unflavored gelatin near the flavored Jello in most grocery baking aisles; it’s what helps the white layers set.
- Measure accurately so you have enough of the sweetened condensed milk mixture for each creamy layer.
- PRO tip: Use liquid measuring cups for the best accuracy when measuring hot liquids.
- Read the directions through once before you start; multiple steps and chill times make a plan helpful.
- Start with a colored layer first for the best appearance at the base.
- PRO tip: For a true rainbow, follow ROY-G-BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). This recipe uses five colors: blue, green, red, yellow, orange. Use that as a guide when choosing flavors.
- If the condensed milk mixture starts to gel while waiting, warm the container in a bowl of warm water to loosen it.
- Let each colored batch cool a bit before pouring over the previous layer so it doesn’t melt the top layer, but don’t let it get so cool it gels prematurely.
- Keeping a kettle or teapot of hot water handy speeds up reheating the gelatin mixture between steps.
- Some recipes use sweetened sour cream or colored condensed milk for white layers; I prefer the simplicity of straight sweetened condensed milk with added unflavored gelatin.
- Use a straight-edged knife, not serrated, for clean slices.
Helpful Tools and Ingredients
- 9 x 13-inch Pyrex dish — a clear pan showcases each layer.
- Five 3-ounce boxes of flavored Jello — choose flavors to match your theme.
- 4–5 envelopes of unflavored gelatin (Knox or similar) — used to set the sweetened condensed milk layers.
- One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk — do not substitute evaporated milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gelatin is a processed form of collagen, the protein that provides structure in animals. Today most commercial gelatin comes from pigskin and other animal parts. Gelatin supplies amino acids but is not a complete protein, and Jello is not vegan. Contrary to some myths, modern gelatin is not made from horse hooves.
Expect about 30 minutes of chilling for each layer and an overnight chill after the final layer. Hands-on prep time is short, but total time including refrigeration is generally 12–14 hours.
Keep the salad refrigerated, covered with foil or plastic wrap (foil avoids the wrap touching and marring the surface). Stored properly, it stays good for about 3–5 days.
Have you made a layered Jello salad like this before? What colors did you use, and what do you call it — rainbow jello or ribbon jello?
You May Also Like
- Dr. Pepper Jello Salad
- Strawberry Panna Cotta
- 1,2,3 Jello
- Broken Glass Jello
- 5 Minute Whipped Chocolate Mousse
- Rainbow Summer Salad for a colorful veggie side
- More Best Dessert Recipes
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Layered Jello Rainbow Salad Recipe
20 minutes
20 minutes
12 servings
A vibrant layered Jello salad that will impress both young and old!
Ingredients
- 5 3-ounce packages of Jello, various colors and flavors
- 4–5 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Mix the first flavor of Jello with 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin and 1 cup boiling water. Let cool slightly and pour into a 9 x 13-inch pan.
- Refrigerate about 30 minutes while you prepare the next layer.
- For the white layer: dissolve 1 envelope unflavored gelatin in ½ cup boiling water. Add half the can of sweetened condensed milk and another ½ cup boiling water; stir to combine.
- When the first colored layer is chilled, pour about ¾ cup of the sweetened condensed mixture over it. Chill 30 minutes.
- Prepare the next colored layer and pour it over the chilled white layer. Chill 30 minutes.
- When the third layer is set, pour the rest of the sweetened condensed mixture over it and chill 30 minutes while you make the next color.
- If the condensed milk mixture firms up, place the container in warm water and stir until it liquefies.
- Make a second batch of the condensed milk mixture with the remaining sweetened condensed milk: dissolve 1 envelope gelatin in ½ cup boiling water, stir in the rest of the condensed milk, then add another ½ cup boiling water.
- Repeat alternating colored and white layers until all five boxes of Jello and the condensed milk mixtures are used.
- After the final layer is poured, refrigerate overnight, covered. Cut into squares or use cookie cutters for shapes to serve.
Notes
*Half a can of sweetened condensed milk equals about ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons. Total time does not include chilling time.
Recommended Products
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9 x 13-inch Pyrex casserole dish -
Pyrex Measuring Cups
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Unflavored Knox Gelatin
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12
Serving Size:
1 slice
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 73Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 29mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 12gProtein: 2g
Nutritional information is an estimate provided for convenience and may vary based on brands and portions used. For precise values, calculate using the exact ingredients you select.
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