Watergate salad, also known as pistachio fluff, is a retro favorite we love. It’s easy to whip up with pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, pecans, whipped cream, and marshmallows, and a cherry on top for the final touch.
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What is Watergate Salad?
Watergate salad, a classic dessert also called Pistachio Delight or Shut the Gate Salad, is said to be named after the Watergate Hotel in DC.
- Flavor: Sweet, creamy, and nutty with a light pineapple tang.
- Skill Level: This dish is made ahead so the flavors have time to blend, making it super easy to toss together the day before your big dinner.
- Swaps: Swap the pecans for crushed pistachios or walnuts. Stir in a fruit cocktail for extra color.
- Serving Suggestions: It’s the perfect retro dessert for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or picnics, along with fun and tasty Kool-Aid pie!
Ingredient Notes
- Pistachio Pudding: Jell-O Pistachio instant pudding mix adds a sweet, nutty flavor and a pretty green color to Watergate salad.
- Whipped Topping: Whipped topping gives it that sweet, fluffy goodness. You can use real whipped cream; I would recommend adding a stabilizer (I use Whip It), which keeps your whipped cream light and airy.
- Pineapple: Crushed pineapple adds a citrusy tang. Be sure to reserve the juices to mix the pudding.
- Variations: Try a tropical Watergate salad with coconut pudding and mango. For something festive, make a cherry pistachio version with cherries and cherry juice, or go rich with a chocolate Watergate salad using chocolate pudding, mini chips, and pecans.
Secrets for the Best Watergate Salad
- Gently fold the ingredients so the whipped topping stays fluffy.
- Let the salad rest in the fridge for at least 6 hours so the flavors blend and the marshmallows soften just right.
- For extra flavor and crunch, toast the pecans in a small pan. Allow them to cool before adding them to the recipe. Add a sprinkle to the top for an even prettier garnish!
How to Store and Save
- Keep Watergate salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Watergate salad can be frozen for up to 3 months, but it may lose some fluffiness. Leave room in the container for it to expand as it freezes, then thaw, stir, and fold in fresh whipped topping and marshmallows before serving.
Side Dish or Dessert?
Did you enjoy this Watergate Salad? Leave a rating and a comment below!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juices
- 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant pistachio pudding mix
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 8 ounces whipped topping such as Cool Whip
Optional
- ½ cup coconut flakes
- maraschino cherries for serving
Instructions
- Drain the juices from the crushed pineapple into a large bowl, reserving the pineapple in the can. Whisk the pudding mix into the pineapple juice.
- Stir in the crushed pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, & coconut if using. Fold in the whipped topping.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to 48 hours before serving.
- Garnish with additional whipped topping and a cherry for serving.
Video
Notes
- Coconut is optional, but we love it.
- Garnish with additional chopped toasted pecans if desired.
- This dish is best made ahead of time so the marshmallows soften and the flavors blend.
- Leftover Watergate salad can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days. Mix well before serving again.
- Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container; thaw, stir, and enjoy.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert, Salad, Side Dish
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My mom always told me it was called Watergate Salad…… because it’s a cover up!
Wow! This is great. Would you have a recipe for Watergate Cake?
I don’t have a watergate cake recipe at this time, but it sure sounds delicious! In the meantime you can check out these yummy watergate cookies!
My aunt gave me this recipe over 40 years ago. We use walnuts instead of pecans. I have used it many times over the years. I can still recall standing in her kitchen and she gave me a copy of the recipe after I had eaten some for the first time.
Love the Watergate Salad . Easy, inexpensive, delicious!
Can this be made with sugar free pudding mix ?
Yes, that’ll work perfectly.
1 box or 2 box pudding?
One box, 3.4oz size.
I have made Watergate Salad a lot. We don’t make it with coconut (this is the only recipe I’ve come across that includes it), but that sounds interesting. We usually omit the nuts because they can get a little un-crunchy mixed in with the other ingredients. I love the idea of adding them on top, though! Thanks for the ideas!
Also want to note that this salad freezes really well. We always make it for Thanksgiving and I freeze it days ahead of time. You just have to remember to take it out and put it in the fridge ahead of time. We like ours really cold, so if it’s still a little frosty in the middle, that’s okay!
Thank you for the tip on freezing Allison! Happy Thanksgiving!
I’ve always used coconut in mine but I have noticed that a lot of people don’t.
It may be that coconut is one of those things that many people don’t care for so eliminating it lets more people enjoy it.
This did not taste good at all and we had to throw it out.
I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t love this as much as we do Lina. Thank you for trying it.
True Watergate has NO coconut – 5 ingredients, nuts, whipped topping, a 4-serving instant pistachio pudding mix, pineapple & marshmallows BUT I do not like marshmallows & I do not like waiting SO, I’ve always made mine w/8 oz cream cheese & walnuts for the nuts. I use my stick blender & blend the cream cheese & pineapple juice first. Then add pineapple chunks cuz they taste better than crushed pineapple & using the stick blender makes it all the right consistency. Then stir in the dry pudding mix & nuts. & last, fold in the whipped topping. Then EAT, no waiting necessary! & I’ve been making this dessert for almost 40 years & there are annual family functions that I don’t show up to unless I’ve made a triple batch!!!
Your cream cheese method sounds delicious too, thank you for sharing!
Watergate Salad is very tasty and delicious. Exactly the way I make it.
My mother n law debra crews number 1 makes this salad every year for thanksgiving for me because i love it so much this year im making it myself for our thanksgiving dinner at her house. It is inexspensive and easy to make. A great desert for any occasion thank you for the recipe. I will try the others too. Hv a great thanksgiving.
Enjoy!! Happy Thanksgiving Debra!
My mom used to make this for holidays like easter and the 4th (with marshmallow colors corresponding to the holiday of course). It’s a cool summer dessert. Ive made it myself and love it. But, Id suggest two changes…if adding coconut (which we never did, but love the idea)…id toast it first to add that nice toasted coconut flavor. And I like the idea of chopped walnuts better than pecans, they arent quite as salty and have a more satisfying crunch whereas I find pecans too brittle. Love the maraschino cherry idea, too. This recipe looks and sounds like a winner!
Will make this for my son-in-law Tim for Thanksgiving dinner!!!!!
Sounds like a great idea Marie!
Do you use the 8 oz.cream cheese and the 8 oz.Cool whip?
Love Watergate salad…can’t wait to try this tecipe…yum
My mom used to make this all the time, for whatever picnic we went to. I m going to make this probably within the week, just because. Yum yum memories
This looks fabulous and so easy, thanks!
How fun! I’m not a big fan of pistachios either, but anything with marshmallows is tasty treat as far as I’m concerned.
It is amazing how sometimes food can be utterly alien to some, I have genuinely no idea what pistachio pudding is ;) Fab story behind the name though.
Here I was thinking this was going to be a boring savory salad recipe… but then I realised it was a delicious sweet salad with pistachio, marshmallow and cream… yes please!!!
Pistachio pudding! :) This IS retro, but in the best possible way. I am so buying that pudding and making this the next time I’m at the store!