This easy, no-bake strawberry pie is a spot-on copycat of the original from Shoney’s Big Boy restaurant. It’s got everything you remember: sweet Jello glaze, big fresh berries, and a buttery crust that shatters into flaky magic. Just five ingredients, one saucepan, and a few hours in the fridge, and you’ve got a retro pie that still steals the show.
🎧 Press play for the shoney’s strawberry pie recipe
Want the short and sweet version? Hit play and I’ll talk you through this nostalgic no-bake dessert—plus a quick stopover in Picklefork, Texas, where the drama’s as sticky as the glaze and the pie is even easier than you remember.
Table of Contents
🍓Why this easy Shoney’s strawberry pie recipe works
- No-bake, retro pie that comes together in 10 minutes
- Tastes just like the original from Shoney’s Big Boy - maybe better
- Perfect for potlucks, cookouts, or church suppers
- Only five ingredients
- Looks fancy, but couldn’t be easier
🎥 How to make Shoney’s strawberry pie (step-by-step video)
Watch how to prep this retro Jello pie in under 10 minutes.
Don't miss the part where I check if the glaze can coat the back of a spoon—your signal to pour!
This simple, no bake, strawberry pie is just how I remember it from Shoney's Big Boy. Giant, ripe berries, sweet Jello glaze, and a buttery crust that created a shower of flakes with every bite.
🧾 Ingredients for the best Shoney’s strawberry pie
- Unbaked pastry crust - I like to use my own homemade crust but you can make this a truly no-bake strawberry by using a shortbread or graham cracker crust!
- Fresh strawberries - Fresh is best but you can use frozen if you absolutely must. Be sure they're drained well.
- Sugar - Use granulated white sugar - sugar substitutes don't work as well.
- Strawberry Jello-I haven’t tested this with sugar-free versions, so I’m not sure how well it sets. You can sub in raspberry gelatin and berries for a fun twist.
- Cornstarch-There's no good substitute for this.
Be sure to download the free Shoney's Strawberry Pie kitchen cheat sheet with tips, faqs, storage, and more.
📖 Recipe
Shoney's Strawberry Pie Recipe
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 2 cups strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ¼ cup water
- 3 ounce box strawberry gelatin
- 1 9-inch pie crust, store bought or homemade
Instructions
- Blind bake the crust with pie weights or according to instructions (usually 350F for 15 - 20 minutes).
- Let cool.
- Place berries in the pie crust. Set aside.
- Mix the sugar, cornstarch, and water in a heavy saucepan. Stir until all the cornstarch is dissolved.
- Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Cook until thick and clear.
- Remove from heat and stir in the gelatin until all the crystals are dissolved.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Pour carefully over the berries in the pie crust.
- Refrigerate pie, covered, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Notes
- You can tell that the Jello is fully dissolved by putting some in a spoon, dipping your finger in and rubbing the glaze between your fingers. If you don't feel any crystals then you're good to go.
- Some people leave the berries whole and put them in the crust with the pointy end up. This makes it hard to eat, in my opinion, but you can try it and see if you like it that way.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
🔪 Instructions
Prep the berries
- Stem and slice fresh strawberries.
- Place berries in the baked pie shell. Set aside.
- Refrigerate pie, covered, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Make the glaze
- Mix the sugar, cornstarch, and water in a heavy saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Cook until thick and clear.
- You can leave a "track" on the back of a spoon with your finger when it's thick enough. That’s your cue that the glaze is thick enough to set properly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the gelatin until all the crystals are dissolved.
Assemble and chill the pie
- Pour carefully over the berries in the baked pie crust.
- Refrigerate pie, covered, at least 4 hours or overnight
Marye's recipe notes
Wash the berries the day before and let them dry. That way you aren't adding extra liquid to the pie and making the filling watery.
Want ALL the tips? Don't forget to download the free strawberry pie kitchen cheat sheet!
📚Related recipes
Here are more strawberry desserts that you'll love -
If you want a whipped topping that holds up like a champ, give my copycat Cool Whip a try. It’s got the texture of whipped cream, but it stays stable in the fridge for days. It goes great with strawberry rhubarb pie, too!
If this Shoney's strawberry pie took you back to your favorite Big Boy booth, give it five stars ★★★★★ and tell me your favorite thing on the menu. I bet it wasn’t the salad bar. 😉
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Jerry Tatum says
I just finished the very first one I have ever made. I love this strawberry pie. My ex used to make this pie. I’ve been divorced for over 12 years. So I decided I could make one. It’s in the fridge. I’ll try it tomorrow. I just know it’s going to be off the chain good.
Marye says
I hope you love it.
Lynn Pfannenstiel says
Hi Marye - I’ve been collecting your enjoyable recipes for some time but never “listened” to one. Great idea!
Thanks for how nice you present your recipes,
Lynn
Marye says
Im so happy you like it!
Sharon Golden says
Really good. I will make it again soon. I used graham cracker crust that worked perfectly.
Tracey L Pedigo says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I used frozen berries, and I cannot wait to try it, in 4 hours. My Granny made a strawberry pie, and I miss her so much. This recipe was made with her on my mind, and happier days of childhood. Thank you for bringing that immer of joy ; however brief, back to my heart. I don't get that often. Many thanks.
TraceyPedigo
Kim k says
I’m not known for my ability to cook or bake. But this pie turned out fabulous!! Usually my husband will say something is “okay”. This got a “Really good!”. If I can do this justice - anyone can!!