This watergate salad is a classic side dish or dessert perfect for any celebration. It’s easy to make in minutes with pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows and Cool Whip!
The Best Watergate Salad
Pistachio desserts are so delicious and this tasty salad dessert recipe is a reminder of how much I love them including this pistachio dessert recipe, pistachio bread or pistachio cookies!
This watergate salad (also known as pistachio pudding salad, pistachio fluff or pistachio pineapple delight) is a retro classic potluck dish that my Grandma always made. She always served it as a creamy side dish just like waldorf salad and ambrosia salad.
It’s easy to make and prepped in less than 5 minutes!
Watergate Salad Ingredients
You only need 4 simple ingredients to make this pistachio pudding dessert. The original calls for nuts, but we usually leave them out since my kids prefer it that way.
- Crushed pineapple: While you can leave the juice, I find it makes it too watery and prefer to drain it.
- Instant pistachio pudding: Instant pistachio pudding is what you need, not cook and serve.
- Whipped topping. Homemade Cool Whip or store-bought frozen whipped topping, thawed.
- Mini marshmallows: I use regular mini marshmallows but fruity mini marshmallows would work, too.
- Pecans (optional): Or try another nut like pistachios or walnuts.
How to Make Watergate Salad
- Mix. All you need to do is mix all of the ingredients together and then let the watergate salad refrigerate for 45 minutes to an hour. You want it to firm up pretty well in the fridge.
- Serve. When ready to serve, top with a maraschino cherry and some chopped pecans. You could even add a dollop of extra whipped cream, too!
Serving Tips
- Serve in a large glass bowl, trifle jar or even mini trifle jars.
- Top with maraschino cherries, chopped pecans and whipped cream before serving. Sometimes I add a few extra mini marshmallows on top too.
- This recipe serves 8. You can double or even triple the recipe for a large crowd.
- Variations to try include adding shredded coconut or using softened cream cheese in the pudding mixture. You can add one cup of cottage cheese, but since that is not traditionally part of the recipe, I do not do that.
Make Ahead
Yes, it can definitely be made the night before. Simply make according to directions and cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Then place the dessert in the fridge until ready to enjoy. Right before serving, drain any excess liquid and give it a good stir. Then add toppings and enjoy!
Need more potluck salads? Try this Hawaiian fruit salad or raspberry Jello pretzel salad.
More Fluff Salad Recipes
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Watergate Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3.4 ounce box pistachio instant pudding (dry)
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1 ½ cups whipped topping (thawed)
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Combine the dry instant pudding, crushed pineapple and mini marshmallows. Stir in the whipped topping, just until combined.
- Refrigerate for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until firm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Adapted from Kraft Recipes
Categorized as: American, Christmas, Desserts, Fruit Desserts, Fruit Salad, Kid-Friendly, No-Bake, Salads
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
My husband is diabetic. I use sugar free instant pistachio pudding, cool whip, no sugar added pineapple tidbits and a container of cottage cheese instead of the marshmallows. I actually like it better without the marshmallows!
Thanks for sharing your substitutions, Tina!
Simply delicious
Simple to make and most importantly, DELICIOUS! I love this salad so much!
I loved this salad! So easy to make and so good!
Need something to take to a potluck or BBQ? This is for you. It’s quick and easy and tastes delicious. .
I’ve always made this with the whole can of pineapple juice and all, it’ll still firm up—I also make it with my own whipped cream (so it’s not too sweet) 2c whipping cream, 1 tsp sugar and 1-2 tsp vanilla
Looking forward to making the sweet potato scallop potatoes and then the watergate Salad.
Yummy!!!!!
I have been making this for years not missed a Christmas yet my family loves it.
I’m so glad your family loves it! :)
This takes me back! My granny used to make this every holiday when I was younger!
This salad looks really amazing! Can’t wait to give this a try!
This is my favorite dessert!! I LOVE it!! Perfect for the holidays!
This sounds absolutely delicious! I must make some for myself
Such a classic dessert and so easy to make! Perfect for the holidays!
I have always wanted to try this and your recipe has inspired me!!
What a unique, easy dessert! If I’d have known how easy it was, I would’ve made it years ago!
So easy!!