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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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!