A one-bowl, stir-together, 5-minute recipe that’s perfect for casual events, parties, and family dinners. Everyone loves this one!
Watergate Salad Recipe
Watergate salad is light and fluffy sweet fruit salad made with crushed pineapple, pistachio pudding mix (which gives the green color), marshmallows, maraschino cherries, and pecans. The ingredients are enveloped in creamy whipped topping, which helps give this easy Watergate salad recipe its fluffiness and lightness. It takes just 5 minutes to make, one bowl, stir everything together, and everyone in the family loves it!
Why Is it Called ‘Watergate Salad’?
It’s been said that Watergate salad is named as such because it was served in the famous Watergate hotel in Washington, D.C. during the time of the infamous Watergate scandal in the early 1970s. So if this salad looks vintage to you, that’s because it is! Chances are your grandma or mom served it back in the day for casual summer family dinners, for Fourth of July or Memorial Day, or it may even have made the party spread at a Christmas holiday dinner table or holiday buffet spread.
Watergate Salad Ingredients
For this classic pistachio pudding salad recipe, you only need a handful of easy-to-find ingredients including the following:
Crushed pineapple with juice Pistachio instant pudding mix Miniature marshmallows Maraschino cherries Pecans Cool Whip or similar whipped topping
How to Make Watergate Salad
It really doesn’t get any faster or easier than stirring ingredients together and that’s exactly how you make nostalgic Watergate salad! Here are the basic steps for this pistachio pudding fruit salad:
How Long Does Watergate Salad Last?
After you mix together your Watergate salad, which should take you all of 2 minutes, you need to cover and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour before serving. I like to garnish my salad with a few extra pecans and a couple whole maraschino cherries for a nice visual pop of color. This vibrant green pistachio marshmallow salad will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days, however it may not stay as fluffy as time passes.
Tips for The Best Watergate Salad Recipe
When you’re talking about such an easy side salad for easy-breezy backyard get-togethers, summer holidays like Memorial Day or Fourth of July, or even as a Christmas side dish, there’s not much to screw up! Be careful not to get more than a few drops of maraschino cherry juice into the Watergate salad mixture because it doesn’t look pretty when mixed with the green pistachio pudding. If you love marshmallows like we do, feel free to bump up the quantity to closer to 2 cups. Don’t shortchange the chilling step because it definitely tastes better chilled!
What to Serve with Watergate Salad
This pistachio pudding fruit salad pairs well with all of your favorite potluck dishes! Serve the homemade Watergate salad with one of more of the following:
Amish Pasta Salad German Potato Salad Broccoli Salad Slow Cooker Baked Beans Pesto Chicken Caprese Salad Grilled Pork Chops Black Bean Burgers
More Fruit Salad Recipes:
Ambrosia Salad — This classic fruit salad is made with pineapple, mandarin oranges, grapes, coconut, and tossed in a light and creamy, tangy-yet-sweet dressing! The EASIEST side dish ever — just add everything to one bowl and stir! A family favorite side dish that’s always PERFECT for holidays, events, and parties! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Tropical Fruit Salad — This tropical fruit salad features fresh fruit that’s tossed in pineapple juice, coconut and almond extracts, and piña colada mix. Don’t worry, this easy fruit salad is non-alcoholic! Vanilla Fruit Salad – The easiest fruit salad ever thanks to a secret ingredient! Make it for your next party and watch it disappear! Waldorf Salad — Classic and timeless, apple Waldorf salad is always a crowd favorite especially when apples are in season! It makes a great holiday side dish that your guests will devour thanks to a sweet and creamy dressing that coats a mixture of apples, grapes, celery, walnuts, and more! A highly flexible recipe so feel free to substitute, get creative, and make it your own.
