This Watergate Salad recipe is a darling dessert salad that is perfect for pistachio lovers! Chopped nuts, pineapple and marshmallows make the perfect combination when coated in a creamy, light pistachio whip.
Also known as a pistachio delight, this Watergate Salad was made famous for a reason thanks to its amazing texture, lovely flavor and bright green color!
Reasons You’ll Love This
Mystery Picnic Salad – If you ever wondered what that bowl of green, fluffy deliciousness was at the picnic, that would be this fantastic watergate salad!
The Good Stuff – This was always the stuff everyone was reaching for at the family get together.
Sweet and Light – Watergate salad tastes like you’re biting into a cloud of pistachio flavored goodness!
Perfect for Summer – While this is really acceptable to eat all year round, it makes a fantastic summer fruit salad you can enjoy on a picnic or by the pool!
Best Salad Ever – This recipe for Watergate Salad may be the best salad you’ll ever eat solely for the reason that dressing is made of whipped cream and pistachio pudding!
Why do they call it Watergate salad you ask? Well, it’s rumored that Watergate Salad was invented by a chef at the Watergate hotel, but most likely it’s because the dish became popular around 1975 during the Watergate scandal. So, if you’ve ever wondered how to make Watergate Salad, AKA the fantastic bowl of green stuff often served at get-togethers, picnics, and more… keep reading!
Ingredient Info
Let’s discuss how to make Watergate Salad, as well as the ingredients that are needed. Please take note that below you will find discussion, expert tips, and answers to frequently asked questions about this recipe to help you recreate it in your kitchen. If you *just* want the recipe itself, scroll down. The full printable recipe itself, with exact measurements and instructions, is found at the bottom of this page.
- Pistachio Pudding Mix – Just the mix! Pour the powder right into the recipe. Ignore any box instructions.
- Crushed Pineapple – Crushed pineapple in juice is ideal, not the pineapple in a syrup. Don’t drain the juice from the can because that liquid is needed to combine with the pudding mix.
- Mini Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows add the most fun to this salad! I recommend sticking with the minis because the big marshmallows will take up too much space in the salad.
- Walnuts & Pecans – These add a wonderful crunch to the salad when nicely chopped. If you want you can even add pistachios to the mix! Make sure to save a few extra nuts to garnish the top of the dessert at the end.
- Whipped Topping – A tub of Cool Whip, or any other brand of whipped topping is perfect, just make sure it’s thawed before you add it to the mix. You are more than welcome to make your own whipped cream for this recipe as well.
- Maraschino Cherries – Maraschino Cherries make the perfect garnish! Totally optional, but adds a lovely color to the salad. You can also chop some cherries in half and add it to the salad if you’d like.
Step By Step Instructions
- Grab a large mixing bowl. To the bowl, add the pistachio pudding mix, crushed pineapple and the juice, marshmallows, chopped walnuts and pecans.
- Mix everything together until evenly combined.
- Add the whipped topping to the salad mixture.
- Fold in the whipped cream until everything is evenly combined. Allow the salad to sit in the fridge, covered, for about an hour until chilled. Take out of the fridge and serve it garnished with some whipped cream, nuts, and maraschino cherries!
Tips & Advice
Storage – Store the leftover Watergate Salad in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Stir to combine before eating again, some of the ingredients may separate.
Jello Flavors
Yes, this classic Watergate Salad wouldn’t be such without the pistachio pudding mix. However, if you’re looking to switch it up, try using a vanilla pudding powder, strawberry pudding powder, banana, or even lime to keep that green color! It’ll have a different flavor but still taste just as good.
Equipment
For this recipe you’ll just need a large mixing bowl and something to stir with! This recipe is seriously that easy.
FAQs
Watergate Salad is traditionally made of whipped topping, pistachio pudding mix, chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, and crushed pineapple! You’re more than welcome to add any extra ingredients that you prefer.
Serves Well With
Watergate Salad makes an excellent side dish, or an after dinner light dessert! Serve it with or after some of these other wonderful recipes!
- Turkey Breast
- Brown Sugar Spiral Ham
- Longhorn Parmesan Chicken
- Pork Tenderloin
- Homemade Shake and Bake
More Recipes You’ll Love!
Watergate Salad
Ingredients
- 1 package instant pistachio pudding mix 3.4 oz
- 20 oz canned crushed pineapple with juice, undrained
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 8 oz frozen whipped topping thawed
- maraschino cherries optional
Instructions
- Grab a large mixing bowl. To the bowl, add the pistachio pudding mix, crushed pineapple and the juice, marshmallows, chopped walnuts and pecans.
- Mix everything together until evenly combined.
- Add the whipped topping to the salad mixture.
- Fold in the whipped cream until everything is evenly combined. Allow the salad to sit in the fridge, covered, for about an hour until chilled. Take out of the fridge and serve it garnished with some whipped cream, nuts, and maraschino cherries!
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
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.
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