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Watergate salad – sometimes called pistachio fluff, pistachio delight, or “green stuff” – is loaded with pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, miniature marshmallows, and pecans. It’s perfect for a potluck or easy mid-week dessert.

Three small serving dishes filled with watergate salad set on a white platter
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Growing up, salads that weren’t really salads were a staple at my Nana’s house. We are from the Midwest, after all!

From ambrosia salad to strawberry pretzel salad and orange fluff – these were the salads that I looked forward to at family gatherings, and watergate salad is no exception.

Nana and her friends always had their go-to recipes that they were famous for and could whip them up in no time flat for a church function, ailing friend, or family get-together.

Nana was known for her cheesecake – usually her easy cheesecake, but switched up with other pie fillings depending on the season. Strawberries during spring, and lemon during the summer months.

Nana’s friend, Anita, always made an amazingly fluffy pistachio “salad” known as watergate salad. We come from a family that loves anything with pistachio pudding, from pistachio pudding dessert to pistachio cake, so naturally, I was obsessed with the stuff as a kid.

Watergate salad in a glass mixing bowl, ready to chill in the refrigerator

What is watergate salad?

If you’re from the Midwest, you might have grown up eating Watergate Salad. Your family might have called it pistachio salad, pistachio fluff, pistachio delight, “green stuff” or even green goop.

No matter what you call it, this no-bake dessert falls under the umbrella of “fluff salads”. This one is a combination of pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, and cool whip.

The dessert is a springy green color and the flavor is sweet, a little nutty, and a bit fruity from the pineapple. 

There are some variations of the dish that use jello, mandarin oranges, or even cottage cheese, but Nana’s friend Anita always made the most classic version and it’s the one I’ve come to love.

Watergate salad in four small serving dishes, topped with whipped cream and chopped pecans

Why is it called watergate salad?

If you’re curious about the name of this recipe…well, so is the rest of the internet, it seems.

I did some research and it seems like no one really knows where the name “Watergate Salad” came from.

One story says that the recipe was invented by a chef at the Watergate Hotel. Others say that it came out around the same time as Watergate Cake, and both became popular during the Watergate scandal.

Maybe that’s why this salad goes by so many different names! No matter what name you call it, I call it delicious.

Watergate salad ingredients arranged on a marble counter

How to make watergate salad

You know how much I love a recipe that comes together in a matter of minutes and just gets better with time. And watergate salad is definitely one of those!

Ingredients you’ll need

To make my watergate salad recipe, you will need:

  • 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple – do not drain!
  • 2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant pistachio pudding mix 
  • 16 ounces thawed whipped topping 
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • ¾ cup pecans – you can chop them or leave them whole

Pretty simple ingredient list, right? I usually keep all of the ingredients on hand so I can whip this recipe up at a moment’s notice!

It’s super important that you don’t drain the canned pineapple. The pineapple juice is what will combine with the instant pudding mix. That’s why there’s no milk or anything like that on the list.

I typically use cool whip in this recipe, but truwhip will work great, too. You could also use stabilized whipped cream if you want.

Even though I like to use fruit-flavored mini marshmallows in my ambrosia salad, I like regular mini marshmallows for watergate salad. But use what you like best!

Making this dessert salad

In a large bowl, mix together the undrained pineapple with the pistachio pudding mix. You need the juice of the pineapple to make this recipe come together, so make sure you don’t drain it!

Use a spatula to fold in the thawed whipped topping until no streaks remain, then fold in the marshmallows and the pecans.

And that’s it! Seriously. Let it chill for a few hours in the refrigerator before serving and you’re all set.

Pecans and mini marshmallows being added to a bowl of watergate salad

Make-ahead and storage tips

Watergate salad needs to chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before serving, so it’s a great make-ahead dessert. I think it actually tastes better the next day, anyway!

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

I recommend garnishing the salad with a few extra chopped pecans right before serving for a little extra crunch. A fresh dollop of cool whip or whipped cream is also never a bad idea!

If you’ve never tried watergate salad, you’ve got to make it immediately. And if you have tried it before, it’s time to revisit an old favorite – it’s begging to be a part of your holiday tables!

Close up of watergate salad in a small serving bowl, topped with whipped topping and chopped pecans, next to a spoon
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Watergate Salad

By: Jamie
4.45 from 61 ratings
Prep: 5 minutes
Chilling Time: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 16
Watergate salad – sometimes called pistachio fluff, pistachio delight, or "green stuff" – is loaded with pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, miniature marshmallows, and pecans. It’s perfect for a potluck or easy mid-week dessert.

Ingredients

  • 1 can crushed pineapple 20 ounces, undrained
  • 2 packages instant pistachio pudding mix 3.4 ounces each
  • 16 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • ¾ cup pecans

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, stir together the pineapple and pistachio pudding mixes until combined. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the whipped topping until no streaks remain. Fold in marshmallows and pecans. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

Video

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 204mg, Potassium: 95mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 70IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

4.45 from 61 votes (61 ratings without comment)

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49 Comments

  1. andrea says:

    Do you make the pudding mix or mix it dry with the pineapple?

    1. Jamie says:

      Andrea-
      Just mix the dry pudding mix in. Thanks for stopping by!
      -Jamie

  2. Cindi Flynn says:

    I make this all the time.  I use a slightly modified recipe:  same sises as you list, just different amts.  3 pkgs pudding, 3 tubs cool whip, 2 cans (drained) pineapple (i get to drink the juice), I use 1 bag of colored marshmallows.  My mom used to use walnuts rather than pecans.  I think with the pistachios there are just the right amount there.  I like to also add shredded coconut from time to time. :D

    1. Jamie says:

      Shredded coconut sounds like a delicious option, Cindi! Thanks for sharing.
      -Jamie

  3. Erika says:

    My mom used to make this a lot when I was a kid but she also included chopped maraschino cherries. After seeing this post, I want to go home and make some tonight!

  4. Melissa says:

    We’ve always made this using the colored mini marshmallows. Wonderful!

    1. Jamie says:

      Melissa-
      Thanks so much for stopping by.

      -Jamie

  5. Mary @chattavore says:

    I love Watergate salad, like any good Southern girl! It’s such a great summer dish.

    1. Jamie says:

      Mary-
      It’s just not summer without it, is it? Thanks for stopping by.

      -Jamie

  6. Karen says:

    I haven’t made this in years… copied it again and hope to make it soon… thanks for the memories.

    1. Jamie says:

      Karen-
      I hope you get a chance to make it! Thanks for visiting.

      -Jamie

    1. Jamie says:

      Addia-
      I’m sorry to hear that the pistachio pudding isn’t available to you. I appreciate you stopping by.

      -Jamie

  7. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says:

    This is my favorite! My mother-in-law makes this but I had no idea it is called Watergate Salad. So, so delicious!

    1. Jamie says:

      Miss-
      Thanks for visiting!

      -Jamie

  8. grace says:

    i was also raised eating those pseudo-salads, but i don’t know this one! sounds perfectly potluck-worthy. :)

    1. Jamie says:

      Grace-
      I hope you get a chance to try it! Thanks for visiting.

      -Jamie

  9. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says:

    I’ve never had watergate salad, but it sounds delicious. Pistachio is a totally underrated dessert flavor. :D

    1. Jamie says:

      Erin-
      I agree, we all need to use pistachio more! Thanks for stopping by.

      -Jamie