Lime Jello Salad Recipe
This refreshing lime Jello salad is a little bit sweet with a nice bit of tang. Inspired by Luby’s Congeal, this salad is easy to make cold side dish has a unique flavor that every gelatin lover just loves!
Have you ever seen those posts that say “tell me something without telling me something”? Like tell me you’re from Texas without telling me your from Texas… for me one of those answers is “I strongly feel no macaroni and cheese in the world is as good as Luby’s macaroni and cheese”.
Luby’s is a cafeteria restaurant…
where you stand in a long line to slide your tray along metal railing while selecting your meal starting with salads, main dishes, side dishes, bread, dessert, and finally beverages. It’s not an all-you-can-eat situation, which many mistake it for on their first visit, resulting in a pretty expensive meal!
Luby’s is a Texas institution, founded in San Antonio and in business for over 70 years. They’re well known for their “square fish” and, as I stated earlier, their macaroni and cheese. My go to Luann platter is Baked Fish Almondine (what kind of fish? no clue, just a generic fish :), boiled new potatoes, macaroni and cheese (obviously), and last, but not least Luby’s Congeal.
What the heck is Congeal?
Well first off, despite it’s fairly off-putting name, it’s easily my most favorite thing on the menu. I guess it’s technically a salad as it doesn’t sit down at the end of the line with the cakes, pies, and other desserts. But every single visit while everyone around me is tucking into pie I’m tucking into my congeal.
Luby’s Congeal is an amazing lime Jello salad that is smooth and creamy lime and lemon gelatin that is full of crushed pineapple, pecans, and cottage cheese curds. The recipe contains milk and mayonnaise, which probably sounds odd but is the most important part of this recipe as it gives the salad it’s perfectly refreshing tang.
Today I’m sharing my Luby’s Congeal copycat recipe – one you can easily make at home in a a batch perfectly sized for a family meal or small gathering.
Ingredients You Need to Make Lemon Lime Jello Salad :
- Lime Gelatin
- Lemon Gelatin
- Boiling Water
- Mayonnaise
- Whole Milk
- Large Curd Cottage Cheese
- Pecan Pieces
- Crushed Pineapple
Kitchen Tools We Recommend:
7.5 x 10.5″ Casserole Dish
If making this Lime Jello Salad for company, I’d suggest using a 7.5 x 10.5″ casserole dish or something similar.
8.5 Cup Rubbermaid Food Container
If making this recipe for just a casual snack or meal, this Rubbermaid container works really well, plus it has a lid!
Electric Kettle
For this recipe you’ll need boiling water and you can use your stove or microwave. One of my favorite, and surprisingly most often used countertop appliances is my electric kettle. This one looks cool on my counter and boils water quick as a flash for recipes like this, a cup of tea, water for my French Press, and even oatmeal or ramen.
How to Make Lime Jello Salad
- Pour contents of gelatin packets and boiling water into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk well, about 2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise and milk until combined. Transfer the milk and mayo to the gelatin and quickly whisk until well incorporated. Transfer to your casserole dish or food container.
- Place the Jello salad in the freezer for 10-30 minutes, or until it thickens considerably but is not yet set. Once gelatin is 25-50% set up remove from freezer.
- Fold pecans, pineapple, and cottage cheese into the gelatin until well distributed. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours or until fully firm.
- Slice into squares and serve chilled. Garnishes can include whip cream, lemon and lime slices, or a maraschino cherry.
Tips and Tricks
- Need your Lime Jello Salad sooner than several hours? Place your covered container into the freezer for 10-30 minutes until set. Be sure to keep a close eye so that your gelatin doesn’t freeze.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, reduce the pecan pieces from 1/2 a cup to 1/4 a cup. If you prefer Miracle Whip over mayonnaise, it can be substituted, as well.
- Be sure to drain your crushed pineapple very well and remove as much moisture as possible. I line my over the sink colander with paper towels and gently press the moisture through the paper and into the sink.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Use Less Pecans – Our recipe calls for 1/2 cup of pecan pieces. For a more accurate Luby’s congeal, reduce to 1/4 cup.
Substitutions for Pecans – Sometimes pecans can be very expensive and I will substitute walnuts. Feel free to try your favorite unsalted nuts in this recipe or leave nuts out entirely.
Mayonnaise – In my experience you’re either a mayo or a Miracle Whip type of a person, but not necessarily both! This recipe works with either in equal amounts.
Add a Leaf of Lettuce – At Luby’s this lime salad is always served on a single leaf of lettuce, though I’m not sure why. Maybe just to really bring home the fact that it’s a salad? 🙂
Storage
This recipe will keep for 3-4 days and must be kept refrigerated.
Lime Jello Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3-ounce package lime Jello
- 3-ounce package lemon Jello
- 1 1/4 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise + 2 tablespoons
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 8 ounces large curd cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup pecan pieces
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple well drained
Instructions
- Pour contents of gelatin packets and boiling water into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk well, about 2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise and milk until combined. Transfer the milk and mayo to the gelatin and quickly whisk until well incorporated. Transfer to your casserole dish or food container.
- Place the Jello salad in the freezer for 10-30 minutes, or until it thickens considerably but is not yet set. Once gelatin is 25-50% set up remove from freezer.
- Fold pecans, pineapple, and cottage cheese into the gelatin until well distributed. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours or until fully firm.
- Slice into squares and serve chilled. Garnishes can include whip cream, lemon and lime slices, or a maraschino cherry.
