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.
Sign up to get emails when I post new recipes!
For even more great ideas follow me on Facebook – Pinterest – Instagram – Twitter – Bloglovin’.
Zelda Halsall says
I’ve made this dessert off & on for over I’d say 30 years or more we can’t always find the pistachio puddings at least not we’re we live they said they weren’t making anymore than one day I was in another city found a couple of boxes then next time I manage to get back not that often they didn’t have any haven’t been able to find last several years than the store moved and changed names to far out to drive to.
Denise says
I change this up a little for something different. No nuts (my son is not a fan). I use vanilla pudding with fruit cocktail & mandarin oranges. And, of course, still add the cool whip & rainbow color mini marshmallows. Still melts in your mouth delicious!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Denise!
Melissa says
I add 24 ounces of cottage cheese in mine.
Karen Anderson says
I found it – thanks!
Peggy Hostetler says
YOUR recipes are fantastic and I thank you so much.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Peggy!
Baker Judy says
Thank you so much for this recipe! I’m going to serve it for our New Year’s Day brunch. I have only had it yearly at a friend’s party. People will love it!
Thank you!
Beth says
Don’t like marshmellows? I
Add 1 pound of seedless green grapes, sliced in half … BETTER than marshmallows!
Or add both. This is the way my family enjoys Watergate Salad!
Linda says
I make this with your recipe all the time. This past week I did something a little different, I add Christmas mini marshmallows and put the fluff in a graham cracker crust pie tin. I like the ones that you can purchase already made. My neighbors loved it.
Ivory says
Thank you so much for posting this recipe, because (although I use to make this all the time) I forgot how to make it. Been a long time since I made it. Now thanks to you, I can once again make this over and over for my family. We truly love it! Hope your Thanksgiving was great.
Judy says
Sour cream works great in the pistachio fluff if you don’t have Cool Whip, you might need to add a tablespoon or two of milk if it’s too stiff.
margie says
i would like to thank you trish for sharing the pineapple cake receipe with ee. I made it and it was delicious! everyone loved it! thanks again
Asra says
This sounds delicious, thanks for sharing:)
I don’t eat Marshmallows.Any suggestions what I can replace Marshmallows with?
Your cherry fluff had condensed milk in it. Will it be tastier if I add condensed milk to this as well?
Thanks again:)
Baker Judy says
If you don’t eat marshmallows because of the gelatin/animal products, try the Trader Joe’s min marshmallows. They are vegan. You can find them toward the end of the year.
In the summer, they sell only the large ones, for campfires. Both vegan.
That’s how I was able to make the recipe today. Otherwise, I wouldn’t
Chelsea says
I just made this for our families Easter and it tastes fantastic! Thank you for sharing!
Carol says
This salad is even better when you add white cooked rice to it. Have made it like that for years Everyone loves it.
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!
Linda Ashley says
Our family makes this recipe with cottege cheese instead of cool whip. Not as sweet, but still delicious.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
We have a recipe like that too Linda but it uses sweetened condensed milk. I need to post that soon 🙂 Sooo good! Thank you!
Sandra Ruper says
We add a can or 2 of drained mandarin oranges and use prepared Dream Whip in place of cool whip. We have always called it Fluff. Amazingly delicious!
Meg C says
We’ve always called it pistachio jello pudding. It’s the dish my dad always has to make for family get togethers. Ours has everything that yours has, but the pineapples are tidbits and we also add mandarin orange slices. It’s delicious!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Ooh! Love the mandarin orange slices in there – bet that’s amazing!
Sissy Cooprt says
Do you add the coconut to the Watergate salad?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I didn’t in this recipe but you certainly could! Yummy!
Diane says
This stuff is sooo good! Been making it forever. Also known as Watergate Salad.
Sarah @ Miss Candiquik says
LOVE this stuff – so simple and so good!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Right!! It’s such a classic!
Danielle @ TheBestDessertRecipes.com says
I don’t think I’ve ever attended a family holiday without a pistachio fluff dessert salad. Your recipe for it looks great!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you Danielle! It’s definitely a dessert staple at our family functions 🙂
Jocelyn@BruCrew Life says
I can remember eating something like this at my Grandpa’s Christmas party each year! Looks great!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Jocelyn!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
My grandma always used to make a salad like this – this post brings back such good memories! Thanks for sharing this, Trish!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It’s SO good Ashley and now that I have the recipe I’m of course thinking of ways to change it up a bit 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend my friend!
Allie | Baking A Moment says
My family always had something similar at Easter dinner and bridal/baby showers… only it was made with lime jello, cool whip, cream cheese, and crushed pineapple. So weird, but so good! (I mean, how is that called “salad???”) Every time I taste it though, it brings me right back… 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Ooh! Cream cheese! Now that sounds good to me 🙂 Thanks Allie!
Lily says
We make this salad all the time, although I think it’s really called Watergate Salad. The recipe is just the same…I think it’s on the pistachio jello pudding box …
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I’ve heard it called Watergate salad too Lily! Sooo good! Thanks for stopping by!
Stephanie says
This looks so good. I love fluff salads, so I bet this one will be amazing!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Stephanie!
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper says
This sounds fabulous!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Melanie!
Happy Valley Chow says
I love fluff salads like this, definitely want to give this a try. Thanks for sharing!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Aren’t they yummy? This one is definitely a keeper 🙂
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
My sister did a book of family recipes a couple of years ago at Christmas. It is such a great book and each year we add new recipes to it! This version of this recipe using pistachios is really nice! I have only had it with orange and pineapple!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I just love family cookbooks – they are true treasures! Thanks Nancy!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
Seriously, one of my favorite summer dishes! I think every family had this in one form or another 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes! Thanks Jamie!
KD says
My Mom has been making this for as long as I can remember.. In her recipe book (from the 1960’s) it’s called Watergate Salad. No matter the name, i love the stuff
Kelli F says
OMG! This stuff was a staple at our house growing up! We always called it “The green stuff” as in…hey, can you make some of the green stuff…Mom, Billy ate all of the green stuff…what are you bringing? I’m bringing the green stuff!