perfection salad- grandma's version

Name: Perfection Salad- Grandma's Version
Prep time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: ## PERFECTION SALAD:; 2 package(s) (6 ounces each) lime jell-o; 4 cup(s) boiling water; 3 cup(s) cold water; 2 cup(s) finely shredded cabbage; 1 cup(s) finely shredded carrot; 1/4 cup(s) thinly sliced celery; 1 cup(s) crushed pineapple, well drained; 1 package(s) (3 ounces) lemon jell-o (plus water called for on package); ## OPTIONAL DRESSING:; 1 cup(s) mayonnaise or miracle whip; 1-2 tablespoon(s) milk, (more or less to your preference); 1-2 tablespoon(s) sugar, (more or less to taste)

(3 RATINGS)

90 Pinches 1 Photo

Kathie Carr

North Liberty, IN

Updated on Nov 11, 2025

Perfection Salad was invented in 1905 when Knox gelatin ran a recipe contest. A Pennsylvania woman won 3rd place with this salad and, now her salad is famous and the other 2 recipes that got the higher awards are unknown. You never know. :) Here is my Grandma's version of Perfection Salad. I understand it is a little different than the 1905 recipe which used unflavored gelatin. Grandma made this salad in a mold. She had a little white dish that fit in the center of the mold which she filled with sweetened, thinned Miracle Whip to use as a dressing for the Perfection Salad.

Rate

prep time 15 Min

cook time

method ---

yield 6 serving(s)

Ingredients

PERFECTION SALAD:
2 packages (6 ounces each) lime jell-o
4 cups boiling water
3 cups cold water
2 cups finely shredded cabbage
1 cup finely shredded carrot
1/4 cup thinly sliced celery
1 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
1 package (3 ounces) lemon jell-o (plus water called for on package)
OPTIONAL DRESSING:
1 cup mayonnaise or miracle whip
1-2 tablespoon milk, (more or less to your preference)
1-2 tablespoon sugar, (more or less to taste)

How To Make perfection salad- grandma's version

Step 1

Combine the 2 packages of lime Jell-O with 4 cups of hot water in a large bowl, stirring until dissolved. Stir in cold water. Immediately add vegetables and well drained pineapple. Pour mixture into a mold or serving dish. Refrigerate until mixture has set (about 2 or 3 hours).

Step 2

Prepare the lemon Jell-O package following directions on package. Pour over the first mixture after it has set. Refrigerate the salad for several hours more or overnight. Unmold by dipping into hot water for 10 seconds.
Step 3

OPTIONAL: Serve with a sauce made of 1 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip thinned with 1-2 tablespoons milk, and sweetened with 1-2 tablespoons sugar. mix well until sugar is dissolved. Adjust amounts of milk and sugar to your taste. Spoon over salad as it is served.
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Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)

calories: 354kcal, carbohydrates: 82g, cholesterol: 4mg, fat: 1g, fiber: 3g, protein: 6g, saturated fat: 0g, sodium: 703mg, sugar: 75g, unsaturated fat: 1g

*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

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