Popular Jell-O Flavors, Ranked Worst To Best
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock By Lauren DeMello/Jan. 24, 2022 12:10 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Jell-O is perhaps one of the most iconic snack and dessert foods of all time. For many, it’s been a huge part of our childhood memories. While some of the happy consumers of the product are kids, there seem to be just as many adults who can’t get enough of the jiggly goodness. It’s clear that many people turn to Jell-O to feel a sense of nostalgia for their childhood, to suck down vodka-laced shots, to use it as an addition to legacy poke cake and pie recipes handed down from their grandmothers, and to bring the family together with the sensory play of Jell-O Jigglers (via KraftHeinz).
No matter what your reason for loving this product is, you’re sure to have your favorite flavor. And if you don’t, this list just may help you find the perfect match. Surprisingly, Jell-O has dozens of flavors, both traditional and new. Some are made with sugar, some are sugar-free, and some flavors are brand collabs with other popular products on the market (like Kool-Aid, for example). We’ll help you sort out which are worth the money, and which should stay on the store shelf.
- Berry Blue
Jell-O
Jell-O Berry Blue is hard to miss if you’re scanning the brand’s in-store offerings. Its neon aqua coloring is sure to be a hit at even the most dazzling Frozen-themed birthday party. But color aside, this Jell-O has more negative views than other types of Jell-O and seems to be a crowd disappointment rather than a pleaser.
While the flavor icon of strawberries and blueberries suggests it tastes like fruit, it actually takes on more of a synthetic flavor profile that’s overly sweet. It didn’t taste anything like strawberry or blueberry. And while the label says “No Artificial Sweeteners,” and “No High Fructose Corn Syrup,” the actual sugar content is far too strong for many people’s taste, according to reviewers on Influenster. One disappointed online reviewer even commented that it tasted too artificial. And forget about sensory play with the jiggly confection. If this gelatin touches anything, it leaves a blue dye stain behind.
- Simply Good Strawberry
Jell-O
Simply Good Strawberry is the brand’s take on a healthier, more natural version of traditional Jell-O. The label states it’s made without any artificial dyes or preservatives and is flavored with real strawberry juice. Interestingly, it appears from the ingredient list that the soft ruby color comes from a blend of vegetable juice and turmeric. For customers who have been hoping for a more natural version of Jell-O that isn’t overly processed and chemical-laden, it’s been a dream come true. One happy mom commented, “Several members of our family are very allergic to red food coloring. We have missed strawberry Jell-O and we were so excited when we discovered Jell-O Simply Strawberry. It tastes and feels exactly like the regular Jell-O” (via Walmart).
While this product was a win for some, others didn’t love this product so much. Unfortunately, you may run into trouble with the way this Jell-O gels, or rather, doesn’t gel enough. It seemed that some couldn’t commit to the natural version for these reasons and would be going back to the original strawberry flavor.
- Sugar-Free Lime
Jell-O
Sugar-Free Lime Jell-O is a bright green gelatin with 10 calories per serving. This is a versatile flavor that you can use in a lot of recipes, but the Jell-O on its own has mixed reviews. While some love the nostalgia of this long-standing flavor, others can’t seem to stomach it.
One unhappy Walmart customer said, “Sugarpfree flavors are always a bit strange but especially with this Jell-O. The lemon-lime flavor could definitely be more pronounced. Tastes more artificial than normal Jell-O flavors.” And that wasn’t the only miss on taste. Another said, “I’m sorry to say that this jello was disgusting. I love lemon lime so much but this was just a disappointment. I’ve had other sugar-free Jell-O products, so I know it’s not just that. There’s something very off about the taste of it. I will not be buying again and I do not recommend it.” While many customers loved that it was sugar-free and low-calorie, for some, it may not be worth buying it based on the disappointing flavor. However, if keto key lime pie is your thing, you may have just discovered the key ingredient to this delectable dessert.
- Black Cherry
Jell-O
Sugar-free black cherry might have been a no-go for many Jell-O fans, but luckily, the regular sugar version is a vast improvement. Many of the happy customers who loved this product said it was a family favorite, great for mixing with other desserts like ice cream, and perfect for sick days. Speaking of sick days, for some, this did tend to take on a medicinal quality or a cherry flavor that was just too strong for a couple of reviewers. This Walmart customer summed it up by saying, “I feel like it has a medicine taste to it and because of that it made it hard to enjoy.” For others, the black cherry flavor was just too strong and required more water to be mixed in during the cooking process in order to make it more enjoyable.
But for most, this wasn’t the case. One pleased Ralph’s customer gave the product five out of five stars saying, “Oh how I love Jell-O. This cherry flavor is very bright tasting, I wouldn’t say like natural cherries however it resembles the flavor.”
- Sugar-Free Lemon
Jell-O
It’s almost hard to believe that Sugar-Free Lemon Jell-O could rank higher than the regular sugar version, but indeed it did. This might be due to the fact that it has the same lemony freshness and tartness as the regular version without the high sugar content. Surprisingly, it didn’t have an overly artificial flavor or the weird aftertaste that can happen with artificial sweeteners. Some thought it tasted just like their favorite lemon candy and it was a must-have for taming those intense sweet cravings. One creative customer discovered it’s the perfect addition for their lemon chicken (via Walmart).
Some customers were miffed about the prices being much higher than comparable generic versions or competing brands that essentially tasted the same. However, this seemed to be the only major complaint echoing through the product reviews pages. For this reason, we found this flavor was a competitive contender against other Jell-O flavors.
- Apricot
Jell-O
Fresh apricots may not be in season all year round, but Apricot Jell-O sure is. In fact, online reviewers raved that it tasted just like fresh apricot. Fans of the product thought it was the perfect, light snack on a summer day. Others commented that it was great for sick days and when your tummy’s feeling unsettled. Some got creative and made Jell-O cookies or added it to their fruit salads. While it was the perfect amount of sweetness, it didn’t have a lingering, sugary aftertaste, which was a major plus for this particular Jell-O flavor (via Walmart).
While some thought the gelatin tasted like real fruit, others didn’t enjoy the apricot flavor as much. One unhappy Walmart customer gave the product one out of five stars saying, “Didn’t like the taste and I love apricots.” A few others agreed with this claim, saying it was just too artificial tasting and far from being fresh and light. However, there were far fewer negative reviews than positive ones, suggesting this is a safe bet if you’re looking for a new Jell-O flavor to try.
- Sugar-Free Strawberry
Jell-O
The second-place contender on our list is Sugar-Free Strawberry Jell-O. It may come as a bit of a surprise that second place went to a sugar-free version of the gelatin, but there are many reasons to love this product. For one thing, this flavor is incredibly easy to find in most grocery stores. There doesn’t seem to be a lack of availability, which for many has been a challenge with other flavors. Secondly, the strawberry flavor itself is juicy, sweet, and not too mild. One reviewer on Influenster wrote, “Ok seriously it tastes better than the actual original Jell-O I swear like I really enjoy it more I recommend it just because the taste is the same and it’s overall better for you.”
And this customer wasn’t the only one. Others suggested they couldn’t tell the difference between this version and the regular sugar version (via Target). They love that they can eat this product guilt-free and that it reminds them of childhood. For those who simply can’t have sugar in their diets, this product has been the perfect treat and snack. However, for some, the sugar-free version wasn’t quite as good as the regular version because it had a bit of a sugar-free aftertaste. For all these reasons, we’ve placed Sugar-Free Strawberry Jell-O in our number two spot.
Popular Jell-O Flavors, Ranked Worst To Best
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
By Lauren DeMello/Jan. 24, 2022 12:10 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Jell-O is perhaps one of the most iconic snack and dessert foods of all time. For many, it’s been a huge part of our childhood memories. While some of the happy consumers of the product are kids, there seem to be just as many adults who can’t get enough of the jiggly goodness. It’s clear that many people turn to Jell-O to feel a sense of nostalgia for their childhood, to suck down vodka-laced shots, to use it as an addition to legacy poke cake and pie recipes handed down from their grandmothers, and to bring the family together with the sensory play of Jell-O Jigglers (via KraftHeinz).
No matter what your reason for loving this product is, you’re sure to have your favorite flavor. And if you don’t, this list just may help you find the perfect match. Surprisingly, Jell-O has dozens of flavors, both traditional and new. Some are made with sugar, some are sugar-free, and some flavors are brand collabs with other popular products on the market (like Kool-Aid, for example). We’ll help you sort out which are worth the money, and which should stay on the store shelf.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
No matter what your reason for loving this product is, you’re sure to have your favorite flavor. And if you don’t, this list just may help you find the perfect match. Surprisingly, Jell-O has dozens of flavors, both traditional and new. Some are made with sugar, some are sugar-free, and some flavors are brand collabs with other popular products on the market (like Kool-Aid, for example). We’ll help you sort out which are worth the money, and which should stay on the store shelf.
25. Berry Blue
Jell-O
Jell-O Berry Blue is hard to miss if you’re scanning the brand’s in-store offerings. Its neon aqua coloring is sure to be a hit at even the most dazzling Frozen-themed birthday party. But color aside, this Jell-O has more negative views than other types of Jell-O and seems to be a crowd disappointment rather than a pleaser.
While the flavor icon of strawberries and blueberries suggests it tastes like fruit, it actually takes on more of a synthetic flavor profile that’s overly sweet. It didn’t taste anything like strawberry or blueberry. And while the label says “No Artificial Sweeteners,” and “No High Fructose Corn Syrup,” the actual sugar content is far too strong for many people’s taste, according to reviewers on Influenster. One disappointed online reviewer even commented that it tasted too artificial. And forget about sensory play with the jiggly confection. If this gelatin touches anything, it leaves a blue dye stain behind.
While the flavor icon of strawberries and blueberries suggests it tastes like fruit, it actually takes on more of a synthetic flavor profile that’s overly sweet. It didn’t taste anything like strawberry or blueberry. And while the label says “No Artificial Sweeteners,” and “No High Fructose Corn Syrup,” the actual sugar content is far too strong for many people’s taste, according to reviewers on Influenster. One disappointed online reviewer even commented that it tasted too artificial. And forget about sensory play with the jiggly confection. If this gelatin touches anything, it leaves a blue dye stain behind.
24. Kool-Aid Gels Cherry
23. Jell-O Sours Watermelon
One positive note was that it didn’t leave a bad aftertaste as many artificially flavored sweets tend to do. But overall, it’s hard to overlook the fact that Jell-O promised watermelon and couldn’t deliver. Unfortunately, this product is one of the most disappointing that Jell-O has to offer and you will find many other Jell-O products that are more satisfying.
22. Mango
At the end of the day, this Jell-O couldn’t please most as a stand-alone dessert and that’s why we had to rank it lower on our list. It’s clear that Jell-O customers expect a certain intensity of flavor with their gelatin desserts and the ones that can’t deliver won’t get repeat customers. Not to worry though. There are many other flavors to choose from!
21. Sugar-Free Peach
20. Sugar-Free Black Cherry
19. Tropical Punch Kool Aid Gel
While many adults may have had trouble adjusting their tastebuds to the sugar content, it seemed to be a bigger hit for kids. Some online reviewers were parents or grandparents who said their kids and grandkids were bigger fans than they were. Fortunately, these packs come pre-portioned so it is in fact easy to pop into lunchboxes and take on a picnic. Just be sure to give them plenty of refrigeration time as it seems they can have a tendency to melt quickly in any kind of heat.
18. Simply Good Strawberry
Simply Good Strawberry is the brand’s take on a healthier, more natural version of traditional Jell-O. The label states it’s made without any artificial dyes or preservatives and is flavored with real strawberry juice. Interestingly, it appears from the ingredient list that the soft ruby color comes from a blend of vegetable juice and turmeric. For customers who have been hoping for a more natural version of Jell-O that isn’t overly processed and chemical-laden, it’s been a dream come true. One happy mom commented, “Several members of our family are very allergic to red food coloring. We have missed strawberry Jell-O and we were so excited when we discovered Jell-O Simply Strawberry. It tastes and feels exactly like the regular Jell-O” (via Walmart).
While this product was a win for some, others didn’t love this product so much. Unfortunately, you may run into trouble with the way this Jell-O gels, or rather, doesn’t gel enough. It seemed that some couldn’t commit to the natural version for these reasons and would be going back to the original strawberry flavor.
While this product was a win for some, others didn’t love this product so much. Unfortunately, you may run into trouble with the way this Jell-O gels, or rather, doesn’t gel enough. It seemed that some couldn’t commit to the natural version for these reasons and would be going back to the original strawberry flavor.
17. Jell-O Sours Blue Raspberry
16. Raspberry
15. Sugar-Free Lime
Sugar-Free Lime Jell-O is a bright green gelatin with 10 calories per serving. This is a versatile flavor that you can use in a lot of recipes, but the Jell-O on its own has mixed reviews. While some love the nostalgia of this long-standing flavor, others can’t seem to stomach it.
One unhappy Walmart customer said, “Sugarpfree flavors are always a bit strange but especially with this Jell-O. The lemon-lime flavor could definitely be more pronounced. Tastes more artificial than normal Jell-O flavors.” And that wasn’t the only miss on taste. Another said, “I’m sorry to say that this jello was disgusting. I love lemon lime so much but this was just a disappointment. I’ve had other sugar-free Jell-O products, so I know it’s not just that. There’s something very off about the taste of it. I will not be buying again and I do not recommend it.” While many customers loved that it was sugar-free and low-calorie, for some, it may not be worth buying it based on the disappointing flavor. However, if keto key lime pie is your thing, you may have just discovered the key ingredient to this delectable dessert.
One unhappy Walmart customer said, “Sugarpfree flavors are always a bit strange but especially with this Jell-O. The lemon-lime flavor could definitely be more pronounced. Tastes more artificial than normal Jell-O flavors.” And that wasn’t the only miss on taste. Another said, “I’m sorry to say that this jello was disgusting. I love lemon lime so much but this was just a disappointment. I’ve had other sugar-free Jell-O products, so I know it’s not just that. There’s something very off about the taste of it. I will not be buying again and I do not recommend it.” While many customers loved that it was sugar-free and low-calorie, for some, it may not be worth buying it based on the disappointing flavor. However, if keto key lime pie is your thing, you may have just discovered the key ingredient to this delectable dessert.
14. Grape
While there were a good number of positive reviews on Influenster, there were a couple of disappointed tasters. One customer said, “I would improve the aftertaste of it has somewhat about chalky taste.” Another stated, “If you like to have the flavour more strong, I would suggest you to get 2 or more packs and add less water.” It’s good to know you can get ultra-creative in the kitchen with this flavor, but it seems like the taste of this on its own might be a little bit lacking.
13. Lemon
However, while most loved the simple goodness of this flavor, others weren’t so impressed. One customer on Influenster said, “The Jell-O Lemon was a disappointment. I wish it was a little more sweet and I could only taste watered-down lemon juice. The lemon flavor is simply not there and I think they need to improve this product. I will not be purchasing this Jell-O flavor in the future.”
12. Lime
However, for every bad review written, there were 15 good ones to counter it. Some flavor loyalists loved the vibrant color and how the flavor easily masked the taste of liquor when making their favorite alcohol-spiked gelatin. Others loved the lightness and freshness and how festively colorful it was for holidays like Christmas and St. Patty’s Day. One Walmart reviewer even said it helps when her kiddo is feeling under the weather: “This is my son’s favorite jello flavor for me to make for him. When he is sick I keep this in stock at my house to make for him and it allows him to stay hydrated.” Although it wasn’t a total win, we love that there are so many ways to use this product — from livening up festivities to soothing a troubled tummy.
11. Black Cherry
Sugar-free black cherry might have been a no-go for many Jell-O fans, but luckily, the regular sugar version is a vast improvement. Many of the happy customers who loved this product said it was a family favorite, great for mixing with other desserts like ice cream, and perfect for sick days. Speaking of sick days, for some, this did tend to take on a medicinal quality or a cherry flavor that was just too strong for a couple of reviewers. This Walmart customer summed it up by saying, “I feel like it has a medicine taste to it and because of that it made it hard to enjoy.” For others, the black cherry flavor was just too strong and required more water to be mixed in during the cooking process in order to make it more enjoyable.
But for most, this wasn’t the case. One pleased Ralph’s customer gave the product five out of five stars saying, “Oh how I love Jell-O. This cherry flavor is very bright tasting, I wouldn’t say like natural cherries however it resembles the flavor.”
But for most, this wasn’t the case. One pleased Ralph’s customer gave the product five out of five stars saying, “Oh how I love Jell-O. This cherry flavor is very bright tasting, I wouldn’t say like natural cherries however it resembles the flavor.”
10. Sugar-Free Lemon
It’s almost hard to believe that Sugar-Free Lemon Jell-O could rank higher than the regular sugar version, but indeed it did. This might be due to the fact that it has the same lemony freshness and tartness as the regular version without the high sugar content. Surprisingly, it didn’t have an overly artificial flavor or the weird aftertaste that can happen with artificial sweeteners. Some thought it tasted just like their favorite lemon candy and it was a must-have for taming those intense sweet cravings. One creative customer discovered it’s the perfect addition for their lemon chicken (via Walmart).
Some customers were miffed about the prices being much higher than comparable generic versions or competing brands that essentially tasted the same. However, this seemed to be the only major complaint echoing through the product reviews pages. For this reason, we found this flavor was a competitive contender against other Jell-O flavors.
Some customers were miffed about the prices being much higher than comparable generic versions or competing brands that essentially tasted the same. However, this seemed to be the only major complaint echoing through the product reviews pages. For this reason, we found this flavor was a competitive contender against other Jell-O flavors.
9. Watermelon
8. Strawberry Banana
7. Apricot
Fresh apricots may not be in season all year round, but Apricot Jell-O sure is. In fact, online reviewers raved that it tasted just like fresh apricot. Fans of the product thought it was the perfect, light snack on a summer day. Others commented that it was great for sick days and when your tummy’s feeling unsettled. Some got creative and made Jell-O cookies or added it to their fruit salads. While it was the perfect amount of sweetness, it didn’t have a lingering, sugary aftertaste, which was a major plus for this particular Jell-O flavor (via Walmart).
While some thought the gelatin tasted like real fruit, others didn’t enjoy the apricot flavor as much. One unhappy Walmart customer gave the product one out of five stars saying, “Didn’t like the taste and I love apricots.” A few others agreed with this claim, saying it was just too artificial tasting and far from being fresh and light. However, there were far fewer negative reviews than positive ones, suggesting this is a safe bet if you’re looking for a new Jell-O flavor to try.
While some thought the gelatin tasted like real fruit, others didn’t enjoy the apricot flavor as much. One unhappy Walmart customer gave the product one out of five stars saying, “Didn’t like the taste and I love apricots.” A few others agreed with this claim, saying it was just too artificial tasting and far from being fresh and light. However, there were far fewer negative reviews than positive ones, suggesting this is a safe bet if you’re looking for a new Jell-O flavor to try.
6. Cherry
High marks for this product included the bright and juicy flavor of the ruby red gelatin. In addition to the flavor, the smell seems to be another big hit. When mixing the gelatin with the hot water during the cooking process, it apparently makes the whole house smell like a Jolly Rancher. There were very few comments from people who disliked this variety of Jell-O, except for those who knocked the product due to its ultra-bright artificial food coloring, and one reviewer who complained that it was not kosher or halal. But these were few and far between, and most of the reviews of this product are raves.
5. Island Pineapple
While this customer was trying to wrap her mind around the new flavor profile, others were confused as to why they couldn’t find it in their local grocery store. Despite these occasional complaints, the overwhelming love for this flavor from other reviewers makes it rank high on our list. However, because it is hard to find in local markets, we couldn’t give it the coveted number one spot on our list.
4. Peach
3. Cranberry
Due to the popularity, there are some stores that only carry the product on their shelves during the holiday season. While cranberry can suggest a slightly bitter flavor profile, this Jell-O is a nice balance between tangy and sweet. Customers say that Cranberry Jell-O works well for Jell-O shots as well. Because this flavor is such a holiday hit and a staple for many people’s Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners, we had to rank it high on our list. But because it seems to be only seasonally available, we couldn’t give it first place.
2. Sugar-Free Strawberry
The second-place contender on our list is Sugar-Free Strawberry Jell-O. It may come as a bit of a surprise that second place went to a sugar-free version of the gelatin, but there are many reasons to love this product. For one thing, this flavor is incredibly easy to find in most grocery stores. There doesn’t seem to be a lack of availability, which for many has been a challenge with other flavors. Secondly, the strawberry flavor itself is juicy, sweet, and not too mild. One reviewer on Influenster wrote, “Ok seriously it tastes better than the actual original Jell-O I swear like I really enjoy it more I recommend it just because the taste is the same and it’s overall better for you.”
And this customer wasn’t the only one. Others suggested they couldn’t tell the difference between this version and the regular sugar version (via Target). They love that they can eat this product guilt-free and that it reminds them of childhood. For those who simply can’t have sugar in their diets, this product has been the perfect treat and snack. However, for some, the sugar-free version wasn’t quite as good as the regular version because it had a bit of a sugar-free aftertaste. For all these reasons, we’ve placed Sugar-Free Strawberry Jell-O in our number two spot.
And this customer wasn’t the only one. Others suggested they couldn’t tell the difference between this version and the regular sugar version (via Target). They love that they can eat this product guilt-free and that it reminds them of childhood. For those who simply can’t have sugar in their diets, this product has been the perfect treat and snack. However, for some, the sugar-free version wasn’t quite as good as the regular version because it had a bit of a sugar-free aftertaste. For all these reasons, we’ve placed Sugar-Free Strawberry Jell-O in our number two spot.
