There is nothing better than Watergate Salad! This simple dump-and-go salad is a classic that makes it’s way into every celebration because it’s both incredibly delicious and incredibly easy. Whip it together in less than 5 minutes and you’re good to go! Love pistachio? Make sure to try my Easy Pistachio Pie and Pistachio and White Chocolate Pudding Cookies too!
Watergate Salad
Pistachio Dessert Salad, Watergate Salad or Pistachio Fluff – whatever you choose to call it – it’s delicious! I mean, what’s better than dumping a handful of ingredients together in a bowl, giving it a quick stir, popping in the fridge to the chill and then having it ready to go when you are?
The answer? Nothing. Especially when you end up with a deliciously sweet and satisfying Watergate Salad for that teeny amount of effort.
As you guys know, I am a fluff lover. Like, I make a fluff salad for pretty much every function you can think of: holidays, potlucks, parties, etc. It’s my go-to. And there’s ample reasoning to support these decisions:
- There is never a single bit leftover. Never.
- Takes about 5 minutes to make.
- Cheap. Like, really, really cheap to make.
This is basically the criteria for all my life choices.
To top it all off, this is pistachio flavored! I looooove pistachio!
What Is In Watergate Salad
Not a whole heck of a lot you guys. We’re talking 5 ingredients. TOTAL.
- pistachio Jell-O instant pudding mix
- crushed pineapple – in juice! Do not drain!
- miniature marshmallows
- chopped nuts your favorite – I usually use pecans or pistachios
- Cool Whip – you can use lite if you prefer
Family recipes are the best. Seriously. I mean, if we’re talking food that brings back the memories, it’s got to be a family recipe. Last month my little sister was out visiting and we made the rounds to all the local relatives so they could visit with Ashley. We met up with my Aunt Lana and had a wonderful visit.
My Aunt Lana surprised all of us girls with a late Christmas present…a compilation of favorite family recipes!! Now, I had totally forgotten about this when she told us around Christmas that she was working on this little project. Seriously, it couldn’t have come at a better time. I had SO much fun going through all the recipes and you could hear all three of us going “Oh yeah! I love that recipe!” or “Oh my gosh! I’ve always wanted that recipe!”
I’ve already made several of the recipes already and if I hadn’t needed to feed my hungry family before I could get some pics – I would certainly have shared 🙂 This one I made in secret and snapped a few quick pics while the boys were away. As soon as they find out there are marshmallows in here…yeah, it’s not going to last long.
Watergate Salad Can Be Made In Advance
I’m sure this salad looks familiar to some of you and hopefully brings back good memories too! The best part of this recipe is that it uses ingredients that you probably already have on hand. It’s super quick to make and stays good for days so it’s the perfect recipe to make in advance. This is definitely one of those recipes that you’re going to want to double for a crowd. Maybe triple 🙂
Some people ask for watergate salad without pineapple. This is definitely not it! I use the pineapple and it’s juice to dissolve the pudding mix. You can also make watergate salad with cottage cheese. It’s a lot like my Tropical Orange Jello Salad. You can add a cup of cottage cheese to this recipe if you like.
Get Your Fluff On With These Great Dessert Salads
- Pina Colada Fluff
- Cherry Fluff
- Three Minute Easter Fluff
- The BEST Ambrosia Salad
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Fluff
How To Make Watergate Salad
Watergate Salad
Ingredients
- 3.4 oz pistachio Jell-O instant pudding mix
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts your favorite
- 8 oz container Cool Whip I used lite - thawed
Instructions
- Combine pudding mix, pineapple (with juice), marshmallows and nuts in a large bowl and mix well.
- Blend in Cool Whip and chill until ready to serve.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published August 11, 2013. Updated March 24, 2019.
What are some of your favorite recipes that show up time and again at family functions?
More recipes our family loves:
Fruit Basket Mini Sugar Cookie Pizzas
For all breakfast recipes, go HERE.
For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
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Alice says
Your recipes sound fabulous, but we call it Princess Pudding and make it from strawberry jello, chopped strawberries, marshmallows, flaked coconut, and Cool Whip folded in gently. Then we frost it with swirls of Cool Whip and plop choice straw berried and several bottled cherries on top. Since it’s pink, it’s great for Valentine’s Day.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I love this Alice! I make a strawberry fluff recipe that sounds a lot like yours – so good!
Dianna Phillips says
This is what I was told as a child. I love this fluff.
Pistachio Salad got its name from President Richard Nixon. It was during the Watergate Hearings. This was his favorite salad to eat.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Dianna!
Sami says
We call this troll pudding! When I was on my own, I made it for thanksgiving dessert because it’s lighter than more pie!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh my gosh! I LOVE that name! I’m telling my boys 🙂
Ellen says
So good! Not too sweet. I used walnuts this time but I think next time I’ll use pistachios.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Ellen! I do prefer the pistachios myself 🙂
Carol says
In my family, we call this “green stuff”, we also have pink stuff and orange stuff, but green stuff is the favorite.
Kellie says
This is Watergate Salad. We have it every holiday but to be honest I could eat this all year round…so yummy and light.
Kellie says
One thing different that we do is add a carton of cottage cheese, drained and for the nuts we use pecans.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sounds delicious Kellie!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
We definitely enjoy it year-round too – it’s my dad’s favorite 🙂
Whitney says
Just made this for Memorial Day with my kiddos. They are gonna love this!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Perfect Whitney! Hope you enjoyed it!
Debi says
Isn’t this the same recipe that was called Watergate salad several years ago?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sure is Debi! Enjoy 🙂
Maren says
I made this for Easter dinner yesterday, and it is AMAZING! It was a total hit with our family – So glad I found you on Pinterest!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yay! So glad you found me too Maren! Thanks for the great feedback 🙂
KimD says
Your pistachio dessert salad, just like my mom’s we ate it with the regular meal not for dessert though, still a family favorite
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I think it works equally well for both. Thanks Kim!
Susan N. says
Been wanting to make this for YEARS, but never got around to it. Finally bought the stuff, but I’m having a bit of a dilemma: I’ve seen the recipe on the pudding box, which calls for the pineapple to be undrained. I’ve seen other various sites say drained or undrained; which is it?? I would like to double the recipe, but using ALL that juice, wouldn’t it make it too runny? I found another website that mentions reserving the juice and use only as needed to make it moist… but… you see what I mean? I want this first crack at it to be a success and not a disaster. I loved this stuff(my aunt used to make it) and I want my family to love it too.
Susan N. says
Erm.. sorry about the avatar.. I forgot I still had that over at Gravatar as my default avvie. (it’s now hopefully changed)
KimD says
Susan N I make this every year, just like my mom did, she and I drain it and than add a little juice, it just depends on how you like it. You are over thinking it, for this is an easy salad to make. I have even used other pudding flavors and other fruits.
Susan N. says
Thanks Kim. I guess I *was* “overthinking” as you say, but in the end I did just that, drain it out and add some back(just a little, actually) and it turned out fine 🙂 My family ate it up! I guess I’m nervous about doing things,especially things my family never had before(really), and wanted them to like this. I hadn’t had this in years, my hubby says he doesn’t remember ever having it and my daughter, never. So. I may try other ideas, now that I’m not so nervous!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Glad you gave it a try Susan and so happy it worked out for you 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you for helping out Kim!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Glad you got it all worked out Susan!
Chris says
We used to make this, minus the marshmallows. Put it in a graham cracker crust. It was pistachio pie. We always made it at holidays.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That sounds AMAZING Chris! Totally need to try that!
melissa says
My Grandma called it pineapple fluff. She did what you have in recipe but the marshmallows were fruit flavored and she added fruit cocktail and maraschino cherries. It’s the bomb!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oooh! That sounds like a super delicious twist – yum!
Donna M says
We make this but with mandarin oranges, walnuts and the jarred red cherries like you use for ice cream sundies
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh Donna! That sounds amazing!
Jennifer says
My family have been making this for years I make it on thanksgiving. We call it Watergate salad.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Delicious isn’t it Jennifer 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!