It doesn’t get an easier than this four ingredient Cherry Dump Salad! Made with pineapple and cherry filling, this is a chilled side dish that everyone loves. Cold, sweet, and perfect for summer!
Who else LOVEs cold side dishes? You’ll flip for this Frozen Cranberry Salad and this Seven Layer Salad too.
Why this Recipe Works
No-bake chilled dump salads like this one have been in my family for generations. There’s a reason why we keep making them–they’re always the first dishes to disappear at a big family meal!
Pour pistachio salad is always a reader favorite!
- You only need four ingredients to make Cherry Dump Salad!
- It takes no time at all to toss together. Pop it in the fridge to set and forget about it until it’s time to eat!
- A creamy cool whip base makes the cherry and pineapple flavors shine.
- Easy to transport, kid approved and delicious as a side dish or dessert!
If you’ve never made a “dump salad” before, you’re in for a treat. This recipe is my go-to for potlucks and parties that fall during a busy season.
It’s so tasty that no one will guess that it took you literally seconds to make!
Ingredient Notes
Here’s everything you need for this recipe.
- Crushed pineapple. Don’t drain the juice!
- Cherry pie filling. Use canned filling (like I do) or swap it for an equal amount of homemade cherry pie filling.
- Cool whip. Thaw the whole container in the fridge first.
- Sweetened condensed milk.
Just toss everything in a bowl, mix and chill!
Tips and Tricks
- Flavor variations. You can make this dump salad with other pie fillings like blueberry or strawberry too.
- Mix ins. Add a cup of chopped pecans or mini marshmallows to your dump salad to change up the flavors!
- Make ahead. I like to assemble the cherry dump salad the night before. By the next morning it’s set, chilled and ready to eat.
- Storing. You can store the prepared salad covered in the fridge for several days. Keep it nice and cold until serving.
Recipe FAQs
Cherry Dump Salad definitely holds up well to freezing! Some readers tell me they’ve success freezing it in cupcake tins for individual servings.
Yes, real whipped cream would work in this recipe.
No, you should be sure to use sweetened condensed milk here. Evaporated milk will majorly alter the consistency and taste of the cherry dump salad.
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Cherry Dump Salad
Ingredients
- 1 can Cherry Pie filling 21 ounce
- 1 can crushed pineapple (don't drain the juice) 15 ounce
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounce
- 12 ounce Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
- Dump all ingredients into a large bowl.
- Combine with a wooden spoon until ingredients are evenly blended.
- Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or more. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Flavor variations. You can make this dump salad with other pie fillings like blueberry or strawberry too.
- Mix ins. Add a cup of chopped pecans or mini marshmallows to your dump salad to change up the flavors!
- Make ahead. I like to assemble the cherry dump salad the night before. By the next morning it’s set, chilled and ready to eat.
- Storing. You can store the prepared salad covered in the fridge for several days. Keep it nice and cold until serving.
Nutrition
Four ingredients and one bowl are all you need to make an amazing sweet side dish. Anyone can make this Cherry Dump Cake–just be prepared for all your friends and family to swarm you for the recipe!
i also add a tsp of almond extract. to mine.
Oh what a delicious idea!!!
I love this stuff! I found out about it once I moved to Wyoming..now, every potluck I go to, this always ends up taking over my plate! I’ve never gotten the recipe, until now! Thank you!
Please feel free to take a look at my food blog as well! It’s a work in process but I mostly focus on baked goods. My latest post – Peanut Butter Brownies.
This was such a delightfullly, lovely surprise dessert, that I’lll be making for the family as a light Christmas dessert. Love these quick, simple but delicious recipes.
Gail MacDonald
So glad to hear it 🙂
Hi I’m Kay. What can I substitute for cherry pie filling as I am in Australia?
You can use a homemade Cherry Pie Filling recipe. Otherwise I’m not sure, they don’t sell pie filling in cans in Australia?
Jell-o salads always remind me of my grandmother – this one looks sounds just delicious. And I agree, blueberry pie filling sounds amazing!
Wow this is awesome! My favorite thing about summer is the cherries ^.^
I make a very similar version with pistachio Jell-o mix, canned fruit and whipped cream — and I always have an empty bowl at the end of every gathering! It looks a little weird, but tastes delicious. Will definitely have to give this one a try next time!
Yes, we have a favorite Pistachio version as well, guess I need to share that one soon!! Definitely you should try this cherry version!
Looks great!
wow another awesome idea.. i can just imagine how good + sweet this would taste. i LOVE cherry pie filling! looks delicious!
My Mom has been making this salad since I was a child and I love it! The only differences are she drains her pineapple, adds half a bag of mini marshmallows, freezes it and then just sets it out to thaw a bit before serving! It’s so yummy and perfect on a hot summer day! 🙂
Love these changes…especially freezing it 🙂
Oh my … my mom makes something similar every year for Thanksgiving, and I only allow myself to have it then as it’s a complete indulgence for me … but I may have to throw caution to the wind and make this for my next potluck as it sounds divine!
Love how quick and easy this is!
I grew up on a similar salad and haven’t thought about it in a very long time. Cherry pie filling was always my favorite, so this flavor sounds incredible with the pineapple! This is one salad the kids would flip over. 🙂
Glad I could bring back the old times for ya Marcie 🙂
What a fun and easy “salad”!!! I have had one similar but without the sweetened condensed milk. Gotta love a salad you can “dump” together in minutes 🙂
Please share that on your blog, Jocelyn!!
Can I just say that I love that this is called a salad? I’m making all my salads with condensed milk from now on!
This looks delicious, Aimee! And quick, too!
Haha, yeah, can’t take the credit for calling this a salad, but I’m kinda thrilled it is. I mean, who doesn’t want a sweet salad??
Can you believe I’ve neever even heard of this?!?! I can’t wait to try it out STAT! Pinned 🙂
Thanks for the pin, and yes, you need to try it out. Given your love of Cool Whip and all 🙂
Love cherries, love simple recipes like this 🙂 Win/Win
Aimee, there’s something so fun about sharing family recipes! And as a reader I like to know if certain recipes are family recipes because you know those will be good since they are loved by many!
So glad to hear this because there are many more to come 🙂
What a pretty and fun salad for a party!
What an interesting salad! Better than the vegetable kind almost 🙂
Yeah, maybe salad isn’t the right name…. hehe
I have to be honest I am terrified of pot luck dinners. I mean do people have the same standards as I do? But I still have to bring something and you did give me a perfect salad idea. It’s easy and good. Thanks.
Haha, I totally hear ya on the potluck. That’s why I try to always bring something I know my family loves!
That’s when you’re glad you’re in a church of amazing cooks. 🙂 potlucks are awesome then.