This classic Watergate Salad Recipe, also known as Pistachio Delight and Green Fluff, is a fresh blast from the past with the flavors of crushed pineapple, pistachio pudding, pistachio nuts, mini marshmallows, and fresh whipped cream. This unique yet delicious salad is always a hit at potlucks, family reunions, holidays, and parties.
It is the perfect side dish or dessert salad for those freshly grilled spring and summer meals. I love to serve this nostalgic dish at Easter, along with ambrosia salad.
What is Watergate Salad?
It is a retro pistachio salad recipe from 1975 made with crushed pineapple, pistachio pudding mix, pistachio nuts, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream. It is the perfect spring and summer side or dessert. This fluff salad comes together in less than 5 minutes and is so delicious that it is always one of the first dishes to go.
How to make Watergate Salad
The original salad recipe was made with a non-dairy whipped topping like Cool Whip. I honestly prefer fresh whipped cream with this, so start by chilling a large bowl and beaters. Then add the whipped cream and powdered sugar to the bowl. Next, whisk on high until medium to stiff peaks form. Now combine the dry instant pudding mix with the crushed pineapple. Stir in the pistachio nuts and mini marshmallows. Then fold in the whipped cream. Finally, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. If desired, garnish with more chopped pistachios and maraschino cherries.
Why is it called Watergate Salad?
This classic dessert salad was very popular in the mid ’70s during the watergate scandal. This coupled with the fact that there was a Watergate cake recipe that came out the year prior with a green lime hue, pistachio pudding in the mix, and sometimes in the icing. Jell-O originally called the dessert pineapple pistachio delight however, it was not long before the general public was referring to it as Watergate Salad.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Use canned crushed pineapple in 100% pineapple juice. The juice combines with the dry pudding mix to make the pudding. The pineapple packed in heavy syrup is too thick.
- You can substitute chopped walnuts or chopped pecans for the pistachios. However, my first choice is always pistachio nuts.
- In a pinch, an 8-ounce container of cool whip can be substituted for the whipped cream. I think the fresh whipped cream tastes better.
- For a change of pace, add 1/2 cup shredded coconut.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Other dessert recipes you will love!
Print
Watergate Salad
This fun and easy retro Watergate Salad is a pineapple pistachio fluff combination that comes together in less than five minutes. It is always a huge hit at potlucks, family reunions, and parties, and it is always one of the first dishes gone.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: sides, dessert
- Method: bowl and spoon
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant pistachio pudding mix
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachio nuts (plus more for garnish)
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- maraschino cherries (for garnish)
Instructions
- Chill bowl and beaters for whipping cream. Add the whipped cream and powdered sugar to the bowl. Beat on high until medium to stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the dry pudding mix with the crushed pineapple. Stir in the pistachio nuts and mini marshmallows. Fold in 2 cups whipped cream. Finally, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with the extra whipped cream, chopped pistachio nuts, and maraschino cherries. Cover with plastic wrap and store the dish in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use canned crushed pineapple in 100% pineapple juice. It is the juice that combines with the dry pudding mix to make the pudding. The pineapple packed in heavy syrup is too thick.
- You can substitute chopped walnuts or chopped pecans for the pistachios. However, my first choice is always pistachio nuts.
- In a pinch, an 8-ounce container of cool whip can be substituted for the whipped cream. I think the fresh whipped cream tastes better.
- For a change of pace, add 1/2 cup shredded coconut.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Keywords: pistachio delight, green goop, pistachio salad, pistachio fluff, pistachio pudding recipe
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Rosey
My grandma used to make something like this and I totally forgot about it
Pinning this to make at my house.
Nicole Bertrand
My daughter loves pineapple, and I love pistachio — so this was a match made in heaven. We practically licked the bowl clean!
★★★★★
April Booher
A blast from the past! This looks super yummy. Definitely going to try this recipe!
★★★★★
Marysa
I’ve never made this before, but the story behind it is interesting. It would be fun to give this a try.
Lisa
I’ve never heard of this, but keen to try it out! Thanks for sharing something different
Stephanie
Yes – this was a ‘blast from the past.’ A easy and great tasting recipe. I will make this again for a summer picnic.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! It is a fun recipe!
Jocelyn
I have never had a Watergate Salad in my life.. but sounds tasty!
Michele
I have never heard of watergate salad, but it is something I would definitely make. Kind of reminds me of ambrosia salad.
Tweenselmom
Ooh now I want some pistachio! This looks really yum and perfect for potlucks.
★★★★★
Rose Ann Sales
That looks absolutely delicious and tasty! I would really love to try this recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Rose Ann! Enjoy!!
MyLitBag
I love pistachio ice cream and flavored things so I feel like this is right up my alley. Thank you for the share, can’t wait to try this recipe.
Bryan
I like anything made with pistachio! And the history on this is interesting- didn’t know that this was popular during Watergate
Lima Ekram
What a perfect recipe – the whole family loved it – we are huge pistachio fans!
★★★★★
Andrea
I had an aunt that made this for every family get together. Such a classic and brings back such great memories.
★★★★★
Biana
Such a fun dessert! Will be perfect for the holidays.
★★★★★
Tara
Oh how fun! Such a perfect treat for the upcoming holiday season. I especially love the cherries placed on top.
★★★★★
Betsy
Grew up calling this Pistachio Fluff salad! It’s so good! Creamy, sweet…it walks the line between a salad and a dessert! I’m happy to have it sitting next to my turkey at Thanksgiving and I’m happy to eat it for dessert! I’d eat it for breakfast, too, if there was ever any leftovers! Lol!
★★★★★
Kristyn
Pistachio desserts are my hubby’s favorite & any time I tell him that I am making this, he gets so excited! He knows that there is always some left, so he’s eating it all week.
★★★★★
Natalie
Our family likes pistachio & my kids love when I make this! They like to tell me that it’s not salad. It’s a hit in our home!
★★★★★
Julia
I’ve never heard of this salad before but I have a weakness for all things pistachio, so I had to try. It was so good!!
★★★★★
Stephanie
I used to have this as a kid and then kind of forgot about it. I’m so happy I found this recipe! This recipe is even better than I remember.
★★★★★
Kara
My mom used to make this when I was a little girl, and one bite took me back to my childhood. So yummy! My kids loved it just as much as I do!
★★★★★
Sara Welch
Whipped this up with dinner and it was a hit all around the table! Perfectly light and flavorful; easily, a new favorite!
★★★★★
Biana
This salad looks so yummy! Such a perfect summer dessert, with all the different flavors and textures.
★★★★★
Emily Liao
Loved how easy this was to make and perfectly sweet!
★★★★★
Elizabeth
This brought me back to every holiday and family gathering of my childhood! So fun to be able to recreate those flavors and introduce this classic to my kids.
★★★★★
Lauren
I love anything with pistachio pudding and this is such a classic recipe!
★★★★★
Patricia
Ooo! I love blast-from-the-past recipes like this! I really need to try this — it’s fun and looks flavorful!
★★★★★
Cathy
Such a classic salad! Can’t wait to make this for Easter!
Allyson Zea
Wow I’ve never heard of this, but now I’m definitely going to have to try it! I can’t wait!
★★★★★
Jen
This is such a nostalgic dish for me. We used to have it at every family reunion when I was little. Love it!
★★★★★
Kathryn
It’s been too long since I’d had Watergate salad, so I just had to make it – and the flavor here was spot on to what I remember!
★★★★★
Erin
This Watergate Salad is absolutely delicious! Yummy!
★★★★★
Vikki
A classic dessert beautifully done! Definitely making this again
★★★★★
Neli Howard
Wow, this salad sounds fantastic. Yummy pistachio pudding with pineapple, marshmallows and whipped cream is just awesome.
★★★★★
Sara Welch
Such a light and flavorful salad that does not disappoint! Excited to serve this again for Easter brunch, indeed!
★★★★★
Sunena
This is so nostalgic! I love this delicious rendition on a super yummy sweet treat. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Kathryn
I have never had Watergate salad — but I feel like I need to definitely try it ASAP after living in DC for so long! Thanks so much for the recipe!
★★★★★
Courtney
What a great light and refreshing dessert! I love that you use real fresh whipped cream here too.
★★★★★