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.

How to make salad 5 step? ›

How to Build a Perfect Salad in 5 Simple Steps
  1. Step 1 Choose Your Base. Red & Green Leaf Lettuce. Sweet, delicate flavor. ...
  2. Step 2 Add Fruits & Veggies. Avocado. Cucumbers. ...
  3. Step 3 Mix in Crunch. Toasted Nuts. Carrots. ...
  4. Step 4 Amp Up the Flavor. Cheese. Scallions. ...
  5. Step 5 Drizzle & Done! Delicato Extra Virgin Olive Oil +

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 do they call it 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 are the 5 components of salad? ›

Healthy main course salads have five essential ingredients: non-starchy vegetables, protein, healthy fat, a fermented food, and a home-made dressing. About fifty percent of the salad should non-starchy vegetables and about twenty-five percent should be a protein-rich food.

What are the 4 basic parts of a salad? ›

The basic parts of a salad are the base, the body, the garnish, and the dressing. The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination.

What is pink fluff made of? ›

Pink Fluff. It's not complicated. Just combine cottage cheese, jello mix, fruit, and cool whip. The resulting concoction will leave you breathless, and full.

Why is it called Watergate? ›

The name "Watergate" comes from the hotel in Washington, D.C. where the first crime and break in took place, and is often associated with political scandals.

Is Ambrosia a Southern thing? ›

Ambrosia is an American variety of fruit salad originating in the Southern United States. Most ambrosia recipes contain canned (often sweetened) or fresh pineapple, canned mandarin orange slices or fresh orange sections, miniature marshmallows, and coconut.

What are the main ingredients of an Israeli salad? ›

This fresh, light, and colorful salad is sure to become a favorite for your family. Chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and parsley combine with a drizzled dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and mint leaves.

What is a common ingredient in most bound salads? ›

Bound Salads

The reason they are a less-healthy option is that the binding agents are typically mayonnaise-based. Some of the most popular bound salads are egg and tuna. Most egg salad recipes are similar, which means that you can tweak the ingredients to your liking.

What fruit does a Waldorf salad typically contain? ›

There are different variations, but they all contain the typical Waldorf salad ingredients of apples, celery, grapes, and nuts in a mayonnaise based dressing.

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