Watergate Salad
Watergate salad is a fluff made with pistachio pudding, whipped topping and packed with pecans , pineapples and marshmallow. This vintage recipe is here to stay .
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Watergate salad is a fluff made with pistachio pudding, whipped topping and packed with pecans , pineapples and marshmallow. Growing up on the 1970’s this was a staple at our house at every summer cook out all the way to our holiday tables. If it was a more formal occasion this went into a nice serving bowl , if it was a less formal occasion it came straight out of the fridge onto the table. Literally no occasion was complete without this green fluff. It is more like a dessert and that is how I serve it now but back then we mixed in with the side dishes. I guess in the 1970’s we tried to convince ourselves that is was a salad and could be served as a side, lol. Over the years we have made many different “salads” like my Pina Colada Fluff.
There is nothing better than a dump and go recipe . This recipe is not only delicious it is super easy to make. I really think this is why this recipe has stood the test of time. It is so good , easy to make and rather inexpensive. I say to chill this 3-4 hours , that’s how long it takes to get that fluffiness to it. Plus the marshmallows absorbs all of the flavors. I find making it the night before works well.
Different names for this Salad
- Green stuff
- Green Fluff
- Green goop
- Pistachio Delight
- Mean Green
What do you need to make Watergate Salad:
- Instant Pistachio Pudding
- Crushed pineapple with the juice
- Whipped topping
- pecans
- marshmallows
- Mixing bowl
- Saran Press and seal or a covered bowl
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Let’s make fluff salad!
This dish starts with very simple ingredients that won’t break the bank.
In a mixing bowl combine the pudding mix and crushed pineapple with it’s juice. Mix until the pudding is dissolved.
Fold in the whipped topping and pecans .
Mix until it is well combined . You don’t want to see green or white streaks.
Fold in mini marshmallows.
Cover and chill for at least 3-4 hours.
Depending on the occasion this can be placed into a serving bowl and garnished with a few pecans and a cherry.
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Watergate Salad
Ingredients
- 1 3.4 oz box Pistachio Pudding Instant
- 1 20oz can Crushed Pineapple with juice
- 1 8oz Whipped Topping thawed
- 3/4 cup Pecans chopped
- 2 cups Mini Marshmallows
- Cherries and chopped pecans to garnish optional
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl combine the pudding mix and crushed pineapple with it's juice. Mix until the pudding is dissolved.
- Add the whipped topping and pecans
- Mix until well combined
- Fold in marshmallows
- Cover chill for 3-4 hours -even better if overnight
- This is optional but you can garnish with chopped pecans and cherries
Video
FAQs
Yes and no. Yes if you want it to have the fluffiness to it but if you are in a hurry it can be chilled for less time.
Yes I usually make this the night before
Yes , my mother used to do this all the time for my Dad since he was a diabetic.
Yes , I have seen people use wal-nuts or even pistachios
Always interesting to find a new recipe I’ve never heard of. I laughed hard when you said, “alternative recipes names include…green goop!” Haha looks fun and thanks for sharing.
HAHA.. Yeah it’s called all kinds of things .
From it looks, you know already that it is tasty! Will have this again, thanks a lot for sharing this super delicious watergate salad! Loved it!
Thanks Allyssa , I am glad you enjoyed it.
My sister would love this salad, anything pistachio flavored and she’s thrilled. This would also be great for a kid’s summer party.
It is fantastic in the summer ..so cool and creamy.
Oh my! The kids are going to love this salad.
It is always a hot with the kids~
Thank you for the tastes from my childhood memories. Such and easy recipe and delicious, the whole family loved it.
It is a blast from the past for sure !
I can’t believe I’ve never had this classic treat! I see it from time to time and always think, “I’ve got to make it!” I’m going to print this recipe and try it soon! Thanks for the inspiration!
We totally called this recipe pistachio fluff. haha. It’s such an easy recipe though and fun for the kids!
Absolutely delicious! What a treat for the family during holiday, we really enjoyed this recipe and we’ll be making often during summer!
I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Yum! You had me at marshmallows and pistachio. This recipe is a keeper for sure!!
I’ve never of this recipe before and am intrigued and looking forward to trying it. I also love that it has pistachio in it as well.
Can you use a different kind of fruit or must it be pineapple? I’m allergic to it 😔 Sucks because it is so good.
Watergate salad uses pineapple , you can omit it is the only option I can think of .
Maybe canned Mandarin oranges? That’s the closest thing I can think of that would replace the pineapple for the taste.