Watergate Salad

This good ole vintage Watergate salad recipe is fluffy, light, and so simple to make with pistachio pudding mix, crushed pineapple, and mini marshmallows.

Why this recipe works

Watergate salad has amassed quite a few different names over the years. You might know this vintage recipe as simply the green stuff, but it’s also known as pistachio fluff or pistachio pineapple delight to name a few. Reminiscent of classic ambrosia salad, this fluffy dessert salad is a staple at potlucks in the summer and during the holiday season. It’s really the jack of all parties.

I think it’s probably safe to say that just about everyone has tried this pistachio pudding salad recipe at least once, especially if you’re here right now. Maybe you’ve adapted it, changed the ingredients around a bit. Added more of this or taken out some of that. All I know is that I grew up on this recipe and it’s something that was always on the table at every family gathering.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

PUDDING – You will need one 3.4 ounce box of instant pistachio pudding mix.

COOL WHIP – We used non-fat but you can easily substitute with the full-fat version if preferred. I would not recommend substituting with regular homemade whipped cream. If you would prefer to make it yourself then check out our recipe for stabilized whipped cream instead.

ADDITIONS – It isn’t Watergate Salad without the crushed pineapple and mini marshmallows! You can also add chopped pecans or pistachios for some crunch. Incorporate it into the salad or sprinkle them on as garnish.

COCONUT – Though flaked coconut was not part of the original recipe, it adds a nice bit of sweetness. You can omit it if you aren’t a fan.

CHERRIES – Maraschino cherries are another ingredient that you can omit if you aren’t fond of. They also weren’t part of the original recipe, but have become quite popular to either mix in or use as garnish. It all comes down to preference with this salad!

How to Make Watergate Salad

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. In a large bowl combine the drained pineapple and the pudding mix. Stir to coat.
2. Add Cool Whip and stir to coat. Add flaked coconut and mini marshmallows; stir to combine.
3. Optionally decorate the top with maraschino cherries and mini marshmallows. Chill for at least an hour before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Variations of Watergate Salad

• A low-fat version of Watergate Salad can be achieved by using fat-free pistachio pudding and fat-free Cool Whip. This is still a sugary dessert, so keep that in mind, moderation is key.
• A diabetic-friendly, low-sugar version can be made by using sugar-free pudding, sugar-free Cool Whip and unsweetened flaked coconut. Also, make sure you buy canned fruit packed in juice, not syrup, and check the labels for “no added sugar”. You can even find sugar-free miniature marshmallows in the healthier options area of your grocery store.
• Lime Jello Salad (also called Martian Salad or Seafoam Salad) is sometimes confused with Watergate Salad. However, this jello dessert does not contain anything pistachio, but rather lime-flavored gelatin and several similar ingredients to Watergate, such as pineapple and Cool Whip. This is more like a whipped Jello mousse, similar to my Mandarin Orange Mousse.
• Pink Watergate Salad is another term I’ve seen thrown around, but honestly, that’s just Ambrosia Salad where the maraschino cherries were not rinsed after they were drained, therefore tinting it pink. There’s also a pink fluff dessert called Cherry Fluff that uses cherry pie filling, pineapple, and several other ingredients. Neither of these are Watergate Salad.

Why is it called Watergate Salad?

There are a few different stories about where the name Watergate Salad came from. The recipe was developed by Kraft Foods in 1975 (back then is was General Foods), the same timeframe when their pistachio pudding was launched. At that time General Foods called the recipe Pistachio Pineapple Delight.

• Kraft Kitchen claims that a Chicago food editor changed the name in order to generate interest when it appeared in her column. That story was never verified or proven.
• In 1976 The Denver Post published a recipe called Watergate Salad that was supposedly a concoction by a chef at the Watergate Hotel where it was served during brunch on the weekends. Again this story is just a rumor and was not verified by anyone.
• In the late nineties, syndicated columnists “Anne & Nan” said that the name originated from a cake recipe with similar ingredients. Watergate Cake reportedly came out during the Nixon Watergate scandal and “has a ‘cover-up’ icing and is full of nuts”. 

No matter what the origin, Kraft says they changed the name when consumers were asking for the recipe by name… they were calling it Watergate Salad.

Serving Suggestions

Watergate salad is best enjoyed chilled. Optionally garnish with maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, or chopped pistachios/pecans. Serve at potlucks and for Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving dessert!

As mentioned above, this recipe is highly adaptable and has changed quite a bit over the years. The addition of nuts is per individual taste as well as the maraschino cherries and flaked coconut. Feel free to play around with what you like best.

More Related Recipes

• Cherry Fluff
• Ambrosia Salad
• Pistachio Poke Cake
• Broken Glass Jello

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