Treat yourself to a good old-fashioned Watergate salad, a retro classic recipe known for its sweet, creamy texture and iconic green color. This recipe combines pistachio dry pudding mix, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, chopped nuts, and a whipped cream topping to create a light and fluffy dessert or sweet side dish.
The creamy pistachio pudding in Watergate salad blends perfectly with the juicy sweetness of crushed pineapple, while the mini marshmallows add a delightful chewiness. Chopped pecans add a satisfying crunch, and the whipped topping ties everything together with a light, airy finish. Whether serving it as a side dish or dessert at a holiday gathering or a casual potluck, the nostalgic delight will be a hit! For more pudding dessert recipes, try my Pudding Cookies, Chocolate Lasagna, or Banana Pudding.
What Is Watergate Salad?
Watergate Salad is a classic American dessert that gained popularity in the 1970s. Essentially, it is a creamy fruit salad made with pistachio pudding, canned pineapple, and whipped cream. It is commonly served during holiday meals like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter or at church potlucks (where it has taken on the nickname of “green church salad”).
Watergate Salad Ingredients
Instant Pistachio Pudding Mix — the key ingredient for the salad’s distinctive flavor and color is pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix. If you can’t find pistachio pudding, you can also substitute vanilla pudding mix and green food coloring to maintain the hue from the original recipe.
Crushed Pineapple — use pineapple that is packed with pineapple juice not syrup. And don’t drain it. The liquid helps dissolve the pudding mix!
Miniature Marshmallows — essential to this salad for a soft, chewy texture. If you prefer, you can use flavored marshmallows to add a subtle twist to the classic recipe for Watergate Salad.
Chopped Pecans — nuts add a delightful crunchy texture. Use raw pecans or add toasted pecans for extra flavor. Walnuts or pistachios can be used as alternatives if desired.
Whipped Topping — choose your favorite frozen whipped topping, such as Cool Whip. Make sure to thaw completely before mixing into the salad for a smooth consistency.
How To Make Watergate Salad
1. In a large bowl, combine the instant pudding mix and crushed pineapple with the juices.
2. Stir together with a rubber spatula until no dry pudding mix remains.
3. Stir in the mini marshmallows and chopped pecans.
4. Fold in the whipped topping until thoroughly combined. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve the salad topped with more mini marshmallows, pecans, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries, if you like.
Why Is It Called Watergate Salad?
There are several different theories regarding the origin of the name. At the time, it was common to name dishes after current events for humor or publicity. Some say it originated as a playful nod to the Watergate scandal involving the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C.or that it was invented by a chef at that hotel. Others say the name was coined as a marketing strategy by Kraft Foods to sell its new launch of pistachio pudding mix. Some even believe a restaurant in Washington, D.C. created and renamed the dish after the scandal to attract attention.
The dessert is referred to by many different names such as “pistachio delight,” “pistachio fluff,” “green stuff,” “pistachio pineapple delight,” “pistachio salad,” or “green fluff” due to its distinct color and texture.
How To Store Leftovers
Store leftover Watergate Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Chill for best results. Allow the prepared salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and the texture to set properly, resulting in a cohesive and flavorful dish with the perfect fluffiness.
- Fold gently. When incorporating the whipped topping into the mixture, fold it in gently to maintain the topping’s airy texture.
- Add garnishes. Enhance this sweet salad’s presentation with a perfect retro look by topping each serving with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for a pop of color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are sweet salads and share similar textures and some ingredients but differ in overall flavor. Ambrosia Salad typically contains a mix of maraschino cherries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, and sour cream or yogurt. Watergate Salad is made with pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream.
Yes, you can use regular whipped cream instead of frozen whipped topping. Substitute 3 cups of homemade whipped cream for the 8-ounce container of frozen whipped topping. The salad will not hold its texture for as long using freshly whipped cream, so don’t make it too far in advance (up to 12 hours is best).
If your salad turned out runny, it might be because you did not allow the salad to chill long enough in the refrigerator before serving. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the salad time to set. This salad also starts to break down after a couple of days and will naturally start to thin out because of the moisture in the fruit.
You can freeze this recipe for Watergate Salad for up to 3 months, but it’s not my recommendation as the marshmallows will loose all of their texture once defrosted and the salad can become runny.
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Watergate Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 (3.4-ounce/ 96g) package instant pistachio pudding mix
- 1 (20-ounce/ 567g) can crushed pineapple with juice
- 2 cups mini marshmallow (90g)
- ¾ cup chopped pecans (100g)
- 1 (8-ounce/ 227g) package frozen whipped topping thawed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the instant pudding mix and crushed pineapple with juice and stir together until no dry pudding mix remains.
- Stir in the mini marshmallows and chopped pecans.
- Fold in the whipped topping until thoroughly combined. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Serve the salad topped with more mini marshmallows, pecans, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries, if you like.
Notes
- Chill for best results. Allow the prepared salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and the texture to set properly, resulting in a cohesive and flavorful dish with the perfect fluffiness.
- Fold gently. When incorporating the whipped topping into the mixture, fold it in gently to maintain the topping’s airy texture.
- Add garnishes. Enhance this sweet salad’s presentation with a perfect retro look by topping each serving with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for a pop of color.
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