Watergate Salad Recipe
on Oct 08, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Watergate Salad combines sweet pistachio pudding, crunchy walnuts, creamy cool whip, and juicy crushed pineapples to create a timeless treat. You will be amazed at how easy this salad is to make and how delicious it tastes!
Chances are you have had this fluffy, sweet, and colorful treat at some point in your life. Watergate salad is a classic recipe that is popular all across America, and it’s easy to see why. This treat is inexpensive, comes together quickly, and makes enough for a large group.
The nutty pistachio pudding and walnuts balance out the sweet pineapple and marshmallows, giving you a delightful blend of flavors. It is just sweet enough to be the perfect way to end a meal, but not overpowering. There is never a bad time to make watergate salad!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Watergate salad is unique, colorful, and delicious.
- It can be assembled in less than 5 minutes, and prepared days before.
- This salad is the perfect refreshing treat for warmer months.
What is Watergate Salad?
Watergate salad is a fluffy fruit salad or dessert that includes pistachio pudding, pineapple, cool whip, walnuts, and marshmallows. The story goes that the salad gets its name from being first invented at the Watergate hotel in Washington D.C. in the 1970s. This fruit salad quickly became popular and known throughout the country, and the name stuck. The sweet and tangy treat is also known by other names such as ‘green fluff’ or ‘funeral salad’.
Recipe Ingredients
- Pistachio pudding mix—Serves as the base flavor of the salad and gives it its color.
- Crushed pineapple—Helps with the consistency of the salad and adds a bright and fresh flavor!
- Cool whip—To give the salad a nice fluffy texture.
- Walnuts—For a little bit of crunch that will contrast the sweet flavors.
- Mini marshmallows—Adds a fun texture and some extra sweetness.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Watergate Salad
Step #1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pistachio pudding mix and crushed pineapples. Stir until the pudding mix is completely dissolved.
Step #2. Add the mini marshmallows, chopped walnuts, and cool whip.
Step #3. Fold to combine, until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step #4. Cover the salad with plastic wrap and allow it to chill in the fridge. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
No, do not make the pistachio pudding ahead of time! Although you might be trying to save time, it will not work in this pudding. You do not make the pudding as directed on the package, instead it will be combined with the pineapple to create the start of the salad. This is very important, as the salad will become runny and soupy otherwise.
Either one will work great in this recipe! Using canned pineapple will be easier since it is already crushed and ready to go. However, you can use fresh pineapple as long as you blend it before you mix it with the pudding. Whichever you decide, remember that you do not need to drain the crushed pineapple, you will want about 2-3 tablespoons of juice in the salad. The juices are crucial to help your salad achieve the desired consistency.
Popular Substitution and Variations
Watergate salad is constantly being put through trial and error with different flavor profiles. Here are a few ideas if you want that same texture but a different taste!
- Instead of using pistachio pudding, try using strawberry or cherry Jell-O mix for a pink color and fruity flavor.
- You can replace the crushed pineapple with canned fruit cocktail for a variety of flavors and texture.
- Add some shredded coconut to complement the pineapple and amplify the tropical taste.
How to Serve and Store Watergate Salad
Watergate salad makes for a wonderful and unique dessert or treat! You can serve it on its own, but you can also add some toppings to give it a finished look and taste. Some good options are chopped pecans, more walnuts, pistachios, or a juicy maraschino cherry.
You can store any leftover watergate salad in the fridge for up to a week when covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It’s a good idea to give your salad a quick stir before serving to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Expert Tips
- Thawed cool whip will be much easier to work with, but it is not completely necessary. You can mix in a frozen cool whip but it will take a bit longer.
- This salad should be served cold, right out of the fridge! Try to keep it in there as long as possible and don’t leave it out too long waiting to be eaten.
- The watergate salad should be thick, fluffy, and able to form peaks on a spatula. If you are struggling with it being runny or soupy, try adding extra marshmallows or more cool whip and stir. Continue until you reach the perfect consistency.
- We like to use maraschino cherries on top of our salad, but dark red cherries will work as well. Just make sure they are pitted.
More Dessert Recipes To Consider
Condiments, Marinades & Spreads
Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
Pasta Dishes
Pumpkin Alfredo
Dinner Ideas
One-Pot Sausage, Rice, and Peas Dinner
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Watergate Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pistachio pudding mix, 3.4 ounce packet
- 1 cup crushed pineapple
- 1 frozen whipped topping, 8 ounce container, thawed
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, using a silicone whisk or spatula to combine the pistachio pudding mix and crushed pineapples. Stir until the pudding mix is completely dissolved.
- Add the mini marshmallows, chopped walnuts, and cool whip. Fold to combine, ensuring the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Cover the salad with plastic wrap and allow it to chill for an hour in the fridge.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- We like to top our salad with some chopped pecans, walnuts, or pistachios along with a maraschino cherry.
- You can store your watergate salad in the fridge for up to a week when covered with plastic wrap or transferred to an airtight container. We like to give the salad a quick stir before serving to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Thawed cool whip is much easier to work with, but it is not completely necessary.
- You can mix in a frozen cool whip but it will take a little bit longer.
- There is no need to drain your crushed pineapple.
