This classic Watergate Salad Recipe, also known as Pistachio Delight and Green Fluff, is a fresh blast from the past with the flavors of crushed pineapple, pistachio pudding, pistachio nuts, mini marshmallows, and fresh whipped cream. This unique yet delicious salad is always a hit at potlucks, family reunions, holidays, and parties.
Elevate your potluck game with this delicious and easy-to-make Fluffy Watergate Salad. Made with key ingredients like marshmallows, pistachio pudding, and pineapple, this recipe will surely be a hit with family and friends. It is the perfect side dish or dessert salad for those freshly grilled spring and summer meals. I love to serve this nostalgic dish at Easter, along with ambrosia salad, grape salad, apple salad, or summer fruit salad.
What is Watergate Salad?
Watergate salad is a retro pistachio recipe from 1975, made with crushed pineapple, pistachio pudding mix, pistachio nuts, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream. It is the perfect spring and summer side or dessert. This fluff salad comes together in less than 5 minutes and is so delicious that it is always one of the first dishes to go.
Watergate Salad Ingredients
For this recipe, you need heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, instant pistachio pudding mix, canned crushed pineapple, pistachios, miniature marshmallows, and maraschino cherries.
How to make Watergate Salad
The original salad recipe was made with a non-dairy whipped topping like Cool Whip. I honestly prefer fresh whipped cream with this, so start by chilling a large bowl and beaters. Then, add the whipped cream and powdered sugar to the bowl. Next, whisk on high until medium to stiff peaks form. Now combine the dry instant pudding mix with the crushed pineapple. Stir in the pistachio nuts and mini marshmallows. Then, fold in the whipped cream. Finally, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. If desired, garnish with more chopped pistachios and maraschino cherries.
Why is it called Watergate Salad?
This classic dessert salad was trendy in the mid-’70s during the Watergate scandal. This coupled with the fact that a Watergate cake recipe came out the year prior with a green lime hue, pistachio pudding in the mix, and sometimes in the icing. Jell-O originally called the dessert pineapple pistachio delight. However, it was not long before the general public referred to it as Watergate Salad.
Recipe Tips
- Use canned crushed pineapple in 100% pineapple juice. The juice combines with the dry pudding mix to make the pudding. The pineapple packed in heavy syrup is too thick.
- You can substitute chopped walnuts or chopped pecans for the pistachios. However, my first choice is always pistachio nuts.
- In a pinch, an 8-ounce container of Cool Whip can be substituted for the whipped cream. I think the fresh whipped cream tastes better.
- For a change of pace, add 1/2 cup shredded coconut.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
Storage
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing this as the salad’s texture will change.
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Watergate Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 3.4 ounce box instant pistachio pudding mix
- 1 20 ounce can crushed pineapple
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachio nuts plus more for garnish
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Chill bowl and beaters for whipping cream. Add the whipped cream and powdered sugar to the bowl. Beat on high until medium to stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the dry pudding mix with the crushed pineapple. Stir in the pistachio nuts and mini marshmallows. Fold in 2 cups whipped cream. Finally, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with the extra whipped cream, chopped pistachio nuts, and maraschino cherries. Cover with plastic wrap and store the dish in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use canned crushed pineapple in 100% pineapple juice. The juice combines with the dry pudding mix to make the pudding. The pineapple packed in heavy syrup is too thick.
- You can substitute chopped walnuts or chopped pecans for the pistachios. However, my first choice is always pistachio nuts.
- In a pinch, an 8-ounce container of Cool Whip can be substituted for the whipped cream. I think the fresh whipped cream tastes better.
- For a change of pace, add 1/2 cup shredded coconut.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition
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Michele
I have never heard of watergate salad, but it is something I would definitely make. Kind of reminds me of ambrosia salad.
Tweenselmom
Ooh now I want some pistachio! This looks really yum and perfect for potlucks.
Rose Ann Sales
That looks absolutely delicious and tasty! I would really love to try this recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Rose Ann! Enjoy!!
MyLitBag
I love pistachio ice cream and flavored things so I feel like this is right up my alley. Thank you for the share, can’t wait to try this recipe.
Bryan
I like anything made with pistachio! And the history on this is interesting- didn’t know that this was popular during Watergate
Lima Ekram
What a perfect recipe – the whole family loved it – we are huge pistachio fans!
Andrea
I had an aunt that made this for every family get together. Such a classic and brings back such great memories.
Biana
Such a fun dessert! Will be perfect for the holidays.
Tara
Oh how fun! Such a perfect treat for the upcoming holiday season. I especially love the cherries placed on top.
Betsy
Grew up calling this Pistachio Fluff salad! It’s so good! Creamy, sweet…it walks the line between a salad and a dessert! I’m happy to have it sitting next to my turkey at Thanksgiving and I’m happy to eat it for dessert! I’d eat it for breakfast, too, if there was ever any leftovers! Lol!
Kristyn
Pistachio desserts are my hubby’s favorite & any time I tell him that I am making this, he gets so excited! He knows that there is always some left, so he’s eating it all week.
Natalie
Our family likes pistachio & my kids love when I make this! They like to tell me that it’s not salad. It’s a hit in our home!
Julia
I’ve never heard of this salad before but I have a weakness for all things pistachio, so I had to try. It was so good!!
Stephanie
I used to have this as a kid and then kind of forgot about it. I’m so happy I found this recipe! This recipe is even better than I remember.
Kara
My mom used to make this when I was a little girl, and one bite took me back to my childhood. So yummy! My kids loved it just as much as I do!
Sara Welch
Whipped this up with dinner and it was a hit all around the table! Perfectly light and flavorful; easily, a new favorite!