Easy Watergate Salad Recipe (Only 5 Ingredients!) (2024)

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Watergate Salad is a classic dessert salad recipe that’s perfect for holidays and potlucks. The combination of pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, and creamy whipped topping is simply delightful!

There’s nothing better than a quick and easy dessert recipe.If you’re a fan of quick and easy dessert salad recipes like I am you have to try my Snickers Salad recipe as well. Similar to this recipe for Watergate Salad, the no-bake Snickers dessert salad only takes a few minutes to whip up and is perfect for parties and potlucks.

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Even if you’ve never had this classic pistachio dessert before, you may have heard of it. It goes by several other names, including Pistachio Delight, Green Goop, Shut the Gate Salad, Green Goddess Salad, Green Fluff, Green Stuff, and Mean Green.

If you love pistachio dessert recipes be sure to try this easy pistachio pudding icebox cake recipe too. It is my husband’s favorite!

Watergate Salad vs Ambrosia

Whatever you call the ambrosia-like dessert, I am sure you will agree that the pineapple-pistachio dessert is absolutely delish!

Ambrosia salad and watergate salad are very similar. Both vintage dessert salad recipes start with a whipped topping base and use crushed pineapple and marshmallows.

However, there are some differences between the two desserts. Ambrosia doesn’t have the pistachio pudding that watergate has. Another difference is that a watergate salad recipe usually calls for nuts, unlike ambrosia. On the other hand, ambrosia typically incorporates oranges which is not common in watergate salad recipes.

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

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  • Pistachio Pudding– either 2 of the smaller 3-ounce packages or one larger 6-ounce box
  • Crushed Pineapples– undrained, you want to use all that flavor-packed juice from the crushed pineapple can
  • Mini Marshmallows– I find that the smaller size marshmallows make the dessert easier to eat, but if you can only find full-size marshmallows you can chop them into smaller pieces.
  • Chopped Pecans– You can buy pre-chopped pecans or buy the whole ones and use a food processor to chop them up yourself.
  • Whipped Topping– Cool Whip or store-brand, thawed in the fridge.

Watergate Salad Variations

  • Swap Cool Whip for the lite version if you prefer.
  • You can trade your chopped pecans for chopped walnuts or pistachios.
  • Feel free to garnish with cherries and/or a dollop of Cool Whip.
  • Try adding raisins or mandarin oranges to your dessert salad.
  • Some people enjoy adding a cup of cottage cheese to this recipe.

How to Make Watergate Salad

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Stir together the pudding mix and crushed pineapple in a large bowl.

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Step 2: Add the marshmallows and pecans, stirring until evenly mixed.

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Step 3: Fold in the whipped topping until completely blended.

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Refrigerate until ready to serve, then enjoy!

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Serve as-is or topped with a cherry and/or a dollop of whipped topping.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator either covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

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Expert Tips

  • Don’t let this dessert salad sit out at room temperature longer than 1.5-2 hours as it will start to change consistency.
  • Serve in a chilled bowl or dish to help it stay chilled longer.

Recipe FAQ

Why is it called Watergate Salad?

That’s a great question that nobody really knows the true answer to. The origins of watergate salad date back to the 1970s. Some say the name came from being invented by a chef at the Watergate Hotel. Others say that the recipe became popular because of another recipe, the Watergate Cake.

Can I make Watergate Salad the night before?

Heck yes, you can! That’s one of the reasons this “salad” is so popular. It’s simple enough to make ahead and have it ready waiting in the fridge for when you need it.As an added bonus, this is one of those recipes that starts to taste even better the more time it has to chill and meld all the fantastic flavors together. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving.

Can I freeze Watergate Salad?

Yes, you can freeze Watergate Salad. Scoop it into an airtight freezer-safe container, making sure to allow enough room for expansion as it freezes.It will keep about 2-3 months in the freezer. Move it to the fridge and let it thaw before stirring and serving.

More of my Favorite No-Bake Desserts

  • Blueberry Yum Yum
  • Strawberry Jello Pie – only 4 ingredients!
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
  • No-Bake Eclair Cake – tastes like a creamy and decadent cross between Boston cream pie and a chocolate eclair!
  • Reese’s Dip
  • Strawberry Fluff Salad
  • Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies

Recipe

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Recipe

4.69 from 19 votes

Watergate Salad

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Watergate Salad is a tasty, classic dessert salad recipe that combines pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, and Cool Whip.

Ingredients

  • 2 3.4 ounce boxes instant pistachio pudding
  • 2 8 ounce cans crushed pineapple with juice
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Instructions

  • Stir together the pudding mix and pineapple in a large bowl. Add the marshmallows and pecans, stirring until evenly mixed.

  • Fold in the whipped topping until completely blended.

  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Store in the refrigerator either covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 144kcal

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Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and follow on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more!

Easy Watergate Salad Recipe (Only 5 Ingredients!) (10)
Easy Watergate Salad Recipe (Only 5 Ingredients!) (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients of a Watergate salad? ›

Whipped topping, pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped nuts come together to create this light and fluffy American classic that's beloved by home cooks everywhere, not just in the South, but the Midwest as well.

What is the difference between ambrosia and Watergate? ›

Ambrosia salad tastes like coconut, Watergate salad tastes like pistachio. One of the first things that sets ambrosia and Watergate salads apart is the flavor profile of each dish. Watergate salad uses a pistachio instant pudding packet and often calls for additional garnishings of pistachio on top.

Why is it called Watergate salad? ›

Syndicated household advice columnists Anne Adams and Nan Nash-Cummings, in their "Anne & Nan" column of October 9, 1997, reported that name came from the similar "Watergate Cake" (which shares most of the same ingredients): "The recipes came out during the Watergate scandal.

What does Watergate stand for? ›

The term "Watergate" has since become synonymous with various clandestine and illicit activities conducted by Nixon's aides, including the bugging of political opponents' offices, unauthorized investigations, and the misuse of government agencies for political purposes.

What is pink fluff made of? ›

Just combine cottage cheese, jello mix, fruit, and cool whip. The resulting concoction will leave you breathless, and full. I have eaten Pink Fluff every Fourth of July for my entire life. For at least two of those decades, I had no idea what I was eating, but I loved it.

What kind of fruit is an ambrosia? ›

Apple Origin. In the 1990's, a chance seedling appeared in an apple orchard in British Columbia, Canada. A few years later it bore its first fruit, now known as Ambrosia™: the food of the Gods!

What is the most popular salad in America? ›

Caesar Salad

It is a popular choice in many American restaurants and is often served as a side dish or a main course.

What are the five types of salads? ›

salad, any of a wide variety of dishes that fall into the following principal categories: green salads; vegetable salads; salads of pasta, legumes, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads.

What is Waldorf salad made of? ›

A Waldorf salad is a fruit and nut salad generally made of celery, fresh apples, walnuts, and grapes, dressed in mayonnaise, and traditionally served on a bed of lettuce as an appetizer or a light meal. The apples, celery, and grapes can all be green, which harmonizes the color palette of the dish.

Which fruit is the best for weight loss? ›

Apples take the prize for the number one fruit for weight loss for many reasons. A large apple has 5 grams of fiber, which is a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber. Both types are needed for health, but soluble fiber helps regulate your appetite by delaying gastric emptying, which keeps you fuller for longer.

Will I lose belly fat if I eat salad everyday? ›

Spinach and other leafy green vegetables like kale, lettuce, etc. are great for burning belly fat and are very nutritious as well. There have been some studies done on the subject of the fat burning capabilities of spinach and the very healthy veggie has come out a winner in this category.

Can I lose weight if I eat 3 salads a day? ›

Can you lose weight by eating a salad every day? "Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

What is a common ingredient in most bound salads? ›

Bound salad: ingredients such as meat, poultry, fish, egg, or starch such as potato, pasta, or rice and bound with mayo.

What fruit does a Waldorf salad typically contain? ›

A Waldorf salad is a fruit and nut salad generally made of celery, fresh apples, walnuts, and grapes, dressed in mayonnaise, and traditionally served on a bed of lettuce as an appetizer or a light meal. The apples, celery, and grapes can all be green, which harmonizes the color palette of the dish.

What is Florida salad made of? ›

Full Product Name: Cabbage, apple, pineapple and mandarin dressed in mayonnaise.

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