Watergate Salad
Watergate salad is a great dish for as a side dish, something green to eat for St. Patrick's Day, or a wonderful potluck dish. It is vibrantly beautiful and tastes delightful.

Get ready for a cool, creamy salad that's been a potluck staple for decades - Watergate Salad!
This retro recipe combines pineapple, marshmallows, nuts and whipped topping for a sweet salad with an interesting backstory.
While the origins of the name are political, the salad itself is simply sweet.
It comes together really quickly, making the perfect treat to make when you are short on time.
This crunchy, creamy, pistachio-studded salad is sure to be hit at your next potluck or summer get-together.
Ingredients
Pistachio Pudding Mix: It's a must-have ingredient, but if you're in a pinch, vanilla pudding mix can be used with a drop or two of green food coloring for the signature hue.
Crushed Pineapple: Make sure to use canned crushed pineapple for the best results. Fresh pineapple can be too watery and may not blend well with the other ingredients.
Cool Whip: This whipped topping gives the salad its light, fluffy texture. While homemade whipped cream can be used, Cool Whip holds up better over time, especially if you're making this salad ahead of time.
Mini Marshmallows: These add a fun, sweet element to the salad. They soften up in the mixture.
Pecans: If you're not a fan of pecans, you can substitute with walnuts or almonds, or leave them out entirely if you prefer.
How to Make
To prepare the Watergate Salad, start by draining the juice from the canned pineapple into a large mixing bowl.
Add the pistachio pudding mix to the pineapple juice and stir until well combined. Next, mix in the Cool Whip until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Now that the base is ready, fold in the crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and pecans. Be gentle during this step to keep the salad light and fluffy.
After everything is well combined, chill the salad in the fridge for about an hour before serving. Enjoy!
Tips for Making Watergate Salad
Here's some tips for making Watergate salad:
Chill Before Serving: This salad tastes best when it's well-chilled. After mixing all the ingredients, let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the marshmallows to soften.
Celery & Apples: If you like a bit of crunch in your salad, consider adding some chopped celery or even some diced apples.
Customize Your Add-Ins: Feel free to customize the salad with your favorite add-ins. Some people like to add mini-marshmallows, shredded coconut, or even maraschino cherries.
Whip the Pudding and Pineapple Juice Well: Make sure to whip the pudding mix and pineapple juice together until they're well combined. This will make sure that the pudding mix dissolves properly and doesn't leave any lumps in your salad.
Fold in the Cool Whip: Be gentle when you're mixing in the Cool Whip. You want to keep as much of the air in it as possible to make the salad light and fluffy. Use a rubber spatula and fold it in, rather than stirring.
Leftovers
Storing leftovers of Watergate Salad is simple to do. Just make sure to either store it in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. It will keep in there for up to about 3 days.
What to Pair With
Holiday Dinners: This salad is a classic at holiday dinners, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas. It pairs well with traditional holiday dishes like turkey, ham, stuffing, and green beans.
Potluck Gatherings: Watergate Salad is a crowd-pleaser and travels well, making it a great choice for potluck gatherings.
BBQs and Picnics: It's makes a refreshing side dish for barbecued meats or picnic sandwiches.
Variations and Substitutions
Pudding Flavor: The classic recipe calls for pistachio pudding mix, but you can experiment with other flavors like vanilla, lemon, or coconut for something different.
Fruit Additions: While crushed pineapple is traditional, you can add other fruits to the mix. Mandarin oranges, diced apples, or even maraschino cherries.
Nuts: If you're not a fan of pecans, try substituting with walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. If you have a nut allergy, you can omit the nuts altogether or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Watergate Salad
Ingredients
- 1 package pistachio pudding mix
- 20 ounce crushed pineapple 1 can
- 8 ounce Cool Whip
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- ½ cup pecans
Instructions
- Drain the pineapple juice into a large bowl.
- Mix pudding and pineapple juice together. Add whip topping and mix.
- Fold in crushed pineapple, marshmallows, and pecans.
- Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you've used.