Try something new by making your Jello in a Pineapple Can! Fill with Lime Jello or your favorite flavor.
This isn’t the first time I’ve tried making this Jello in a Pineapple Can. When I was first married my best friend told me she likes to make lime jello in the pineapple can. She also told me she serves it as a side dish for dinner over cottage cheese! Such a great idea. This time I made it I tried a few variations.
How to make Jello in a Pineapple Can:
You will need:
- Jello (lime is the most popular)
- Dole Pineapple Rings (drained)
- Cherries or mandarin oranges
- Water
All of the pineapple juice must be drained off, but you can save it for another use.
Mix the jello as the package directs and pour into the can, it’s that easy. Add cherries or mandarin oranges if desired.
Below you can see how my Jello in a Pineapple Can turn out. Mine did not turn out like the ad, but still so pretty!
I really love the cherries in the middle, such a pretty pop of color. I did do mandarin oranges in the orange jello and that turned out great.
The red Jello was absorbed more into the pineapple than the others as you can see in the photos.
Even though my dishes or tabletop in these photos aren’t vintage these pineapple rings sure make the entire scene look retro.
I saved the drained pineapple juice as a beverage for my daughter, and there was a lot since we ended up doing 12 cans for this recipe shoot. 
Each 3-ounce box of Jello will do two 20 ounce cans of pineapple rings.
Would you try this? I hope you enjoy this fun little recipe. Be sure to see the video in the recipe card below to see how easy it is done!
Jello in a Pineapple Can
Ingredients:
- 3 oz. box jello (any flavor)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
- 40 oz. Dole pineapple slices, (two 20-oz. cans) drained very well
optional filling ideas:
- mandarin oranges
- maraschino cherries
Instructions:
- Note- One 3 ounce box of jello will do two cans of pineapple rings.
- Drain the pineapple slices very well.
- Mix the cup boiling water with the jello and stir until the jello is dissolved. Add the cup of cold water.
- If you are adding mandarin oranges or cherries to the center of the pineapple do this now. Add enough to fill it to the top, I packed them in. Pour over the jello.
- Place the cans into the fridge. Let chill for 6-hour or longer. I did overnight.
- To remove the pineapple and jello from the cans. Flip the can over onto a plate and use a can opener to open the end. Push the pineapple and jello out, push it out toward the end of the can that has less of a lip on it.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to Video:
Nutrition:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Ba says
Looks good and pretty can’t wait to try it . Maybe a new camping treat ☺️
Retro Potluck says
This would be a great camping treat if you make it beforehand…unless you travel with a fridge. But yes, this would be very refreshing.
Marion says
Does sugar free jello work?
Retro Potluck says
I’ve not specifically made this recipe with sugar free jello, but I have added fruit to sugar free jello before and it tends to not be as firm as regular jello. It would be a gamble but worth a try, still delicious in the end.
Barb says
Recipe is wrong. That’s why it didn’t turn out. You only use 1 cup of boiling water and part of that could be the pineapple juice from the can of pineapple, and 1 3oz. pkg jello and it makes 1 can of pineapple
Retro Potluck says
The pineapple juice often prohibits the Jello from being able to set.
Amanda says
I grew up on this. You need to use half the liquid the jello box calls for (1 cup). My Mom always used the pineapple juice she drained off and then added water to make up the cup of liquid. Heat to boiling, then pour into a bowl with the jello, stir to dissolve. Pour into your can of pineapple rings. Refrigerate about an hour and then use a fork to help separate the rings, so the jello seeps in between each ring.
Patti says
Your recipe calls for the entire amount of water that the jello package directions state. However, the Dole recipe recommends using only 1/2 of the water. Maybe that is why your jello didn’t set up very good around the pineapple slices.
Dawn says
I’ve been eating this for 40+ years. The recipe I have from my mom is 1 3oz package of Jell-O, 1 cup boiling water, 1 20oz can of pineapple slices (drained). Dissolve the Jell-O in the water and pour over the pineapple. Chill until set. Mom always made the lime, but I saw something recommending cherry so I make both. Never had a soft batch, either one one my mom made or that I made, so I would cut back on the liquids.
I am interested in adding the cherries or trying the orange Jell-O, though.
Me says
Read the ad. Use half the water.
Pauline says
You can also use extra Knox gelatin to your recipe with the less water amount will firm jello up. I do this very often in jello recipes
Rose says
Thanks for sharing that looks good, but in the picture it looks like that pineapple did not set.
Dottie Jacobs says
Thanks for future recipes.
Kim says
The instructions in the ad say to use half the water in the normal jello recipe – kind of like the jigglers recipe does. Based on the recipe listed here, it looks like you are using too much liquid when mixing the gelatin & that’s why it didn’t set as well as the ad.
Rosie Cooks says
So, I did this and I think the ridges in the can do not allow the outside to stay completely firm. The end of my can, the top was totally firm. I used only 1 can of liquid…yes the juice plus a little water to equal a cup. only 1 cup and it worked.
Sam says
This would tend not to work, an enzyme in pineapple called bromelain would break down the gelatine causing it not to set. Unless ya boil the pineapple or freeze it all together. It probably wont work
Dottie Vogler says
The processing of the canned pineapple includes extremely high heat. So that canned juice does not have the same effect as fresh pineapple.
Fartymcfartfart says
Why didn’t you use the pineapple juice instead of water? Does it not turn out as good?
Sarah Olson says
It doesn’t set as well.
Jacqui says
If you use fresh uncooked pineapple it won’t set due to the enzymes in fresh pineapple.
Carole Resnick says
WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!!!! Thank you. Having a small gathering this weekend. This will be on the menu.
Pam says
Couldn’t you use the pineapple Juice instead of cold water?
Sarah Olson says
You could test it out. I think it makes the jello even softer.
Eurl says
Could alcohol be added to make jello shots? If so how much alcohol to add?
Sarah Olson says
I’m unsure if it will set up.
Kerry Gorczynski says
My daughter would loose her mind over this! I wonder if it would work in a plastic container of cored pineapple from the produce section? Also, the ad says to use half the water shown on the recipe on the box – I wonder if that would make a difference?
Sarah Olson says
Yes! And one commenter on Facebook suggested freezing for a bit before releasing too.
ROSA ENRIQUEZ says
In response to Kerry G; raw pineapple and kiwi will cause gelatine NOT to set. I don’t know about freezing, I would tend to think it would affect the gelling process in a negative way.
AhFriend says
Hi!
When I use drained canned pineapple with Jello, I cut the liquid back. For some reason canned pineapple, doesn’t work well with Jello unless you cut back the liquid. I use the 6oz, sugar free, box and use the recommended 2 cups hot water and only 1 cup of ice cold water. The end product actually looks like the Dole ad. Try it.
B.J. says
Fresh pineapple would not allow the jello to set. Canned pineapple is ok because it has been cooked.