Watergate Salad

This Watergate Salad recipe is creamy, fluffy, and packed with flavor. It’s sweet, a little nutty, and always a hit at potlucks, BBQs, and holiday tables. You only need a handful of ingredients and a fridge to chill it, which makes it my go-to quick dessert or side dish when I need something fun and easy.

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Prep Time: 10

Cooling Time: 1

Total Time: 1 10

Course: Dessert, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: watergate salad

Servings:

Calories: 425kcal

Author: Mandy Applegate

Ingredients

3.4 ounces package instant pistachio pudding mix
20 ounces can crushed pineapple with juices
2 cups mini marshmallows
½ cup pecans chopped
8 ounces container Cool Whip
Pistachio chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry pistachio pudding mix, crushed pineapple (with all the juice), mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans.
3.4 ounces package instant pistachio pudding mix, 20 ounces can crushed pineapple, 2 cups mini marshmallows, ½ cup pecans
Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip until the mixture is well combined and fluffy.
8 ounces container Cool Whip
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors blend and the salad firm up.
Garnish with additional chopped pistachios or pecans just before serving.
Pistachio

Video

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Notes

Use the juice: Don’t drain the crushed pineapple—the juice helps activate the pudding mix and gives that perfect texture.
Cool Whip: Make sure your whipped topping is fully thawed before folding it in. Cold clumps = not so fluffy.
Go nuts with nuts: Pecans or walnuts both work great. Toast them for extra flavor if you’ve got a few extra minutes.
Other fruits: Try tossing in mandarin oranges, grapes, or even a handful of chopped apples for extra crunch.
Other additions: You can stir in some maraschino cherries or shredded coconut if you want to mix it up. It’s easy to make it your own!
Make it ahead: This salad actually gets better as it chills, so feel free to prep it a few hours or even a day in advance.
Want more fluff?: Toss in a little more Cool Whip or even some cottage cheese if you like it extra creamy with a bit of tang.

Storage Instructions

Fridge: Leftovers holds up well in the fridge for about 2 to 3 days. Just spoon the green fluff into an airtight container or cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
Re-Serving: I try to give it a gentle stir before serving again—it helps fluff it back up if it’s settled a bit. Keep it chilled, and don’t leave it out at room temperature too long, especially on warm days.

Nutrition

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