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!
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.
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.
Carole Resnick says
WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!!!! Thank you. Having a small gathering this weekend. This will be on the menu.
Jacqui says
If you use fresh uncooked pineapple it won’t set due to the enzymes in 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.
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