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Watergate Salad is a pale green pistachio dessert salad made with crushed pineapple, marshmallows, pecans and whipped topping folded together into a creamy mixture. This version uses two boxes of pistachio pudding mix, which gives the salad a stronger pistachio flavor and a thicker consistency. Each spoonful is cold and creamy with bursts of pineapple, soft marshmallows and chunks of pecan. This flavorful dessert is also known as pistachio salad and shut the gate salad.
Why You’ll Love It
Watergate salad is a cold creamy pistachio dessert with pineapple, marshmallows and pecans in a soft fluffy mixture.
Bold pistachio flavor: Two boxes of pudding mix give the salad a more noticeable pistachio taste.
Cold creamy texture: The whipped topping creates a light creamy spoonful when the salad is chilled.
Texture contrast: Marshmallows, pineapple and pecans create small bursts of softness, fruit and crunch to keep the dessert interesting.
Sweet retro dessert: The pistachio pudding and pineapple give the salad a nostalgic sweet flavor people recognize.
If you love fruity flavors, you may also enjoy my grape salad, glorified rice, honey and lime fruit salad, and this tangy cranberry fluff.
Watergate Pistachio Salad Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Crushed pineapple: Provides sweetness, fruit flavor and the juice needed to dissolve the pudding mix.
Pistachio pudding mix: Adds pistachio flavor and green color, and also thickens the mixture. You need instant pudding mix here, not the kind you need to cook.
Pecans: Contribute a nutty flavor and firmer bite against the creamy salad.
Miniature marshmallows: Add sweetness and soft chewy texture throughout the mixture.
Whipped topping: Creates the fluffy creamy base that holds the salad together. You can use Cool Whip or similar.
Maraschino cherries: Add a bright sweet garnish and a small pop of color on top.
How to Make Watergate Salad
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Combine the base: Stir crushed pineapple with its juice and the pistachio pudding mix in a large bowl until the powder dissolves and the mixture thickens.
Add mix-ins: Add nuts and mini marshmallows into the green goop mixture so they are evenly distributed.
Fold in topping: Gently fold in the whipped topping until the salad becomes evenly green and creamy.
Chill the salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate until the salad is cold and slightly thicker.
The finishing touches: Transfer into a serving bowl and add extra chopped pecans, marshmallows and/or cherries if liked.
Substitutions and Variations
Nut swap: Replace pecans with chopped walnuts or slivered almonds. Increase the amount of nuts for extra crunch.
Coconut addition: Stir shredded coconut into the mixture for extra texture.
Pudding flavor change: Use vanilla or cheesecake pudding mix if pistachio is unavailable, though the flavor profile will be different, as will the color of the dish.
Cherry garnish change: Leave off the cherries if you want less sweetness on top.
Dairy-free adjustment: Use a dairy free whipped topping and check pudding mix ingredients since brands vary.
Gluten-free check: Most ingredients should be gluten-free, but check the pudding mix and whipped topping labels.
More fruit: Swap some of the canned pineapple for canned mandarin oranges. Or add chopped strawberries or bananas to the mix.
Add a tang: Swap some of the whipped topping or whipped cream for cottage cheese.
Serving Suggestions
A holiday table staple: Add it to your holiday table as a sweet element with your sheet pan turkey breast dinner and green bean casserole.
For a potluck or BBQ: It’s also great served with potluck or BBQ dishes such as Caprese pasta salad, cowboy sliders and grilled chicken and pepper kabobs.
For dessert: This sweet green fluff is delicious after a meal of shake and bake pork chops with loaded mac and cheese.
How to Store
Store: Keep covered in the fridge for up to three days.
Freeze: You can freeze Watergate salad covered in an airtight container for up to three months, but it will change the texture of the salad once it’s thawed.
Thaw: Thaw in the refrigerator until softened.
Top Tips
Use the pineapple juice: Don’t drain the pineapple because the juice dissolves the pudding mix and creates the creamy base.
Fully thaw the whipped topping: Soft whipped topping folds more smoothly into the salad.
Chill time: Let the Watergate salad chill for at least an hour before serving for the best texture. I like to chill mine overnight.
Add cherries last: Add the cherries to the salad just before serving to prevent the red color from spreading.
Pistachio Fluff Watergate Salad FAQs
Using two boxes of pudding mix creates a thicker mixture. Fold in a little more whipped topping if you prefer a looser consistency.
Mainly, it’s that ambrosia salad tastes like coconut while Watergate salad tastes like pistachio.
The exact origin of the name of this sweet salad isn’t certain. One common story links it to the Watergate era in the 1970s, when pistachio pudding desserts became popular and playful names tied to the news began appearing in cookbooks and newspapers.
Watergate Salad Recipe
Watergate Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Can crushed pineapple, 20-Ounce, undrained
- 2 Boxes pistachio pudding mix, 3.4-Ounce each
- ⅓ Cup pecans, chopped
- 1 Cup mini marshmallows
- 8 Ounces whipped topping, thawed
Optional Garnishes
Instructions
- Add crushed pineapple with juice and both boxes of pistachio pudding mix to a large mixing bowl.
- Stir until the pudding mix has dissolved and the ingredients are combined.
- Stir in pecans and marshmallows and then fold in whipped topping.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or divide between individual serving glasses.
- Top with maraschino cherries and/or more pecans and mini marshmallows if liked.
Notes
Fully thaw the whipped topping: Soft whipped topping folds more smoothly into the salad.
Chill time: Let the Watergate salad chill for at least an hour before serving for the best texture. I like to chill mine overnight.
Add cherries last: Add the cherries to the salad just before serving to prevent the red color from spreading.
This pistachio fluff salad, pistachio delight dessert or Watergate salad is a classic dessert salad with a creamy base, sweet pineapple and soft marshmallows, balanced by chunks of pecan. The extra instant pistachio pudding mix in this version gives the mixture a richer pistachio flavor and a thicker spoonful. Served chilled, you’ll find the family loves the fruit, creaminess and crunch in every bite of this tasty Watergate salad or pistachio delight.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
