This article explores various keto-friendly cranberry salad recipes, offering a delightful twist on a classic dish while adhering to low-carb principles. Whether you're looking for a retro Jello salad, a creamy pecan-studded creation, or a fresh and tangy vinaigrette-dressed option, there's a keto cranberry salad to suit every taste and occasion.
Keto Jello Salad: A Retro Treat Reinvented
For those seeking a nostalgic dessert with a keto-friendly profile, the Keto Jello Salad offers a sweet escape with just 90 calories and 1g net carbs per serving. This recipe reimagines the classic Jello salad, making it a guilt-free indulgence.
Ingredients and Flavors
While the recipe calls for cherry Jello, feel free to experiment with other sugar-free Jello flavors. Several brands offer sugar-free options, including Jell-O, Royal, Starburst, and GramZero.
Addressing Concerns about Artificial Sweeteners
Many people express concerns about the artificial sweeteners used in Jello. While it's unlikely that Jello will pose a significant health risk, there are naturally sweetened Jello alternatives available for those who prefer to avoid artificial ingredients.
Preparation Instructions
- You'll need a medium-sized bowl or a Jello mold. Jello molds add an elegant touch, creating a visually appealing shape that will impress your guests.
- To determine the amount of liquid needed for your mold, measure how much water fills it up. Then, calculate the amount of Jello required, subtracting 1 cup for the cranberries and pecans. Use a ratio of 1 cup of water per 1 package of Jello and ½ cup of ice for every cup of Jello liquid.
- Add cranberries and water to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer until cranberries pop, about 10 minutes.
- Mix in Jello, orange zest, and sweetener, stirring until dissolved.
- Mix in ice and stir until dissolved.
- Place the saucepan in the refrigerator until the Jello has thickened but not set, approximately 45-60 minutes. Stir the mixture every 15 minutes to prevent the edges from setting. The mixture is ready when you can suspend the pecans and cranberries in the liquid.
- Stir in pecans. And you are done!
Creamy Keto Cranberry Salad with Spiced Pecans: A Festive Delight
This creamy keto cranberry salad with spiced pecans offers a delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors, elevated by the addition of homemade spiced pecans.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Spiced Pecan Preparation
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add melted butter, brown and granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to combine.
- Add pecans and stir to completely coat nuts in spice mixture.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until browned, stirring at the halfway point. Allow nuts to cool. Chop 1 cup of nuts and set remaining ½ cup aside.
Cranberry Salad Preparation
- While the nuts are baking, chop cranberries in a food processor or blender until finely chopped but not mushy. Add chopped cranberries and powdered sugar to a small mixing bowl. Stir to combine and set aside.
- Chill a medium mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer 15-20 minutes prior to using. To chilled bowl, add heavy whipping cream and vanilla. Beat until stiff peaks form.
- Add cranberries and stir to combine. Add chopped pecans and stir to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is perfect for serving with Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, parties, get-togethers, and potlucks. It also pairs well with everyday meals, including beef, chicken, pork, seafood, and turkey. Consider serving it with grilled meats, burgers, brats, ham, turkey, seafood mains, meatloaf, sausage and peppers, and chicken dishes.
Fresh Keto Cranberry Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette: A Tangy and Crunchy Option
This fresh cranberry salad combines tart cranberries, crunchy celery, crispy pecans, and delicate shallot with an easy, sweet vinaigrette. The keto secret to this salad is the MCT oil used in the dressing.
Vinaigrette Preparation
To make the vinaigrette, mix together Wildly Organic Olive Oil and MCT Oil. Add Wildly Organic Coconut Vinegar, fresh garlic, keto-friendly sweetener, a pinch of salt, and a splash of vanilla.
Salad Assembly
In a food processor, pulse the cranberries until chopped fairly fine. Combine the cranberries with celery, pecans, and shallot. Toss with the vinaigrette. Top with more pecans if desired before serving. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.
The Benefits of Cranberries
Cranberries are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with fiber, Vitamin C, E, K1, and Manganese. They are also perfectly acceptable on a keto diet, with 7.6 net carbs in one cup of raw unsweetened cranberries.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Tips and Tricks for Keto Cranberry Salad Success
- Freezing Cranberries: Fresh cranberries can be frozen for up to a year. Rinse the cranberries with cold water and allow them to drain. Spread them out on parchment paper and allow them to air dry for about 15-20 minutes. Transfer them to a sheet pan in a single layer and place them in the freezer on the pan for one hour. Scoop the cranberries into an airtight container or a large freezer bag for up to a year.
- Low-Carb Sweetener Options: There are many sugar-free sweeteners available. When working with stevia-based sugar alternatives, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and start with less. Taste, then add more if needed.
- Making Cranberry Sauce: To make this delicious creamy dressing for the cranberry turkey salad, you'll need Keto Cranberry Sauce. In a bowl mix together the first 5 items. Taste it and decide if you need to add any stevia. Add in the rest of the ingredients and toss to combine.
- Using Jicama as an Apple Substitute: Jicama can be used as a low-carb substitute for apples in cranberry salad. Peel and chop the jicama, then toss it with lemon juice, ACV, and granulated stevia. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Keto Cranberry Turkey Salad: A Post-Thanksgiving Delight
If you’re looking for a delicious keto recipe and a perfect way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers of turkey or cranberry sauce, try this tasty Keto Low Carb Cranberry Turkey salad!
Mayo-Free Adaptation
You can definitely make this keto cranberry turkey nutritious salad without mayonnaise if you prefer. This recipe is a simple adaption of Mayo Free Chicken Salad. With the added low carb Cranberry Orange Sauce I just posted this past week, this creamy turkey salad is outrageously amazing!
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto