Description

Watergate Salad is a creamy, sweet, and nutty dessert salad made with pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, whipped topping, miniature marshmallows, and pecans. Known for its light green color and fluffy texture, this nostalgic dish is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and easy mid-week desserts. It requires minimal preparation and no cooking, making it a convenient and crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

1 can crushed pineapple (20 ounces, undrained)
2 packages instant pistachio pudding mix (3.4 ounces each)
16 ounces frozen whipped topping (thawed)
2 cups miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup pecans

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Instructions

Mix Pineapple and Pudding: In a large bowl, stir together the undrained crushed pineapple and both packages of instant pistachio pudding mix until well combined and the pudding begins to thicken.
Fold in Whipped Topping: Use a rubber spatula to gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until the mixture is smooth and no streaks remain, maintaining the fluffy texture.
Add Marshmallows and Pecans: Carefully fold in the miniature marshmallows and pecans until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 3 hours to allow it to set and flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

Watergate Salad is also commonly referred to as pistachio fluff, pistachio delight, or simply “green stuff.”
It’s a popular dish for potlucks, parties, and casual family gatherings due to its ease of preparation and pleasing flavor.
You can substitute walnuts for pecans if preferred or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
Ensure the whipped topping is fully thawed before folding to avoid lumps.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 162 kcal
Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 204 mg
Fat: 5 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg