• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
All Our Way
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×

Home » Recipes » Desserts - Dolci

Classic Watergate Salad

Published: Jan 17, 2023 · Modified: Jan 30, 2023 by Marisa Franca · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe
Classic Watergate Salad

Watergate Salad is a sweet, creamy, no-bake dessert salad perfect for any occasion. It consists of pistachio pudding mix, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, coconut, and chopped pecans, creating a unique and delicious flavor that will surely be a hit with any crowd.

Three glass servings of Watergate Salad made with pistachio pudding and topped with a red cherry on top.
Whether you call it Pistachio Fluff or Watergate salad this classic recipe is a winner every time.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why I love this recipe
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 🗒 Instructions
  • 🔪 Equipment
  • 🤔 FAQs
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tips
  • 📚 Variations
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📗 Related Recipes
  • 🍽 Serve with
  • 📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
  • 📝 Recipe Card
  • 📖 Recipe

❤️ Why I love this recipe

  • This watergate salad is a delicious and sweet treat that is perfect for potlucks, parties, or as a dessert.
  • Its creamy texture and sweet flavor make it a hit for adults and children.
  • I make this no-bake dessert in advance and store it in the refrigerator until it's time to eat.

Watergate Salad, also known as Pistachio Delight, is a sweet and creamy dessert salad that we love for its unique flavor and easy preparation!

🛒 Ingredients

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Image of the ingredients needed to make the Watergate salad.

Note: The full list of this recipe's ingredients is in the recipe card below.

  • pistachio pudding
  • mini marshmallows
  • frozen whipped cream - thawed
  • shredded sweetened coconut
  • crushed pineapple
  • chopped pecans (optional)
  • maraschino cherries (optional)

🗒 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

Collage of first four steps to assembling the Watergate Salad
  1. Add the undrained pineapple to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Mix in the pudding mix until completely dissolved and the mixture has thickened.
  3. Stir in the chopped toasted pecans and coconut.
  4. Stir in the mini marshmallows.
Last step to making the Watergate salad is to add the whipped cream and nuts.
  1. Fold in the whipped topping. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or individual glasses, topped with chopped pecans and cherries (optional).

🔪 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

🤔 FAQs

These are the questions we are most frequently asked about making the Pistachio Fluff recipe.

Why is it called Watergate salad?

Watergate Salad is said to have been created by a sous chef at the Watergate Hotel and was regularly served at weekend brunches. It gained popularity during and after the Watergate Scandal, hence the name Watergate Salad.

What is Ambrosia salad made of?

Classic Ambrosia salad consists of pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, and miniature fruit-flavored marshmallows.

Why is it called Ambrosia salad?

Ambrosia salad was once considered a luxurious and exotic treat due to the hard-to-find ingredients used. It was typically reserved for holidays and special occasions and was named "ambrosia" after the food of the Greek and Roman gods.

What other names are Watergate salad called?

Watergate Salad is also known as Pistachio Delight and Ambrosia Salad.

Pistachio Fluff recipe piled into a glass bowl and garnished with maraschino cherries and chopped pecans.
Whether we take it to a family gathering or a potluck, this classic pistachio pudding fluff salad is always a hit.

👩🏻‍🍳 Tips

  • Use crushed pineapple instead of chunks. This will ensure that the pineapple is evenly distributed throughout the salad.
  • Add the marshmallows just before serving. Marshmallows tend to absorb moisture and can become sticky if they are added too early.
  • You can use a food processor to chop the nuts, this way, they will be evenly distributed and add a nice texture to the salad.
  • Make it a day ahead. The flavors will have time to meld together, and it will be even more delicious.

📚 Variations

  • Use different nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, instead of pecans.
  • Add fresh fruit such as mandarin oranges, apples, or strawberries.
  • Use different types of pudding mix, such as lemon or vanilla, instead of pistachio.
  • Add a layer of whipped cream on top of the assembled salad.
  • Substitute the canned pineapple with fresh pineapple.
  • Add a little bit of lime or lemon juice to give it a little bit of tanginess.
  • Use yogurt instead of whipped topping.

🥫 Storage

Store Watergate Salad in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You may also freeze it, but it's not recommended as the texture of marshmallows can change after thawing, and the whipped topping can also lose its consistency.

If you have leftovers, it's best to keep them in the refrigerator and consume them within a few days to ensure the best quality.

Overhead view of the classic watergate salad being served in glass goblets from a glass serving bowls. Maraschino cherries and chopped pecans on the side for garnish.
Called a salad, this fruity pistachio pudding dessert is a delicious ending to any meal.

📗 Related Recipes

These delicious no-bake desserts satisfy your sweet tooth without turning on the oven:

  • Panna Cotta With Strawberry Sauce - Light and silky, easy to make, and never disappoints in flavor or visual appeal!
  • Cinnamon Ice Cream - A rich and creamy dessert made with heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, spicy cinnamon, vanilla, and flavored vodka.
  • Budino Al Cioccolato - The perfect chocolate pudding that’s rich and creamy, enjoyed chilled or warm.

🍽 Serve with

Watergate Salad is great standalone dessert, but it is espcially tasty when you pair it with ice cream or sweet crackers to scoop into the salad.

📞 Chiacchierata (chat)

No-bake desserts are quick and easy to make, requiring very little preparation time. It doesn't leave the kitchen hot from baking so it's ideal for hot summer days when the family craves a chilled sweet treat!

Once I assemble this Watergate Salad, I transfer it to the fridge and get on with my other tasks. It's so nice having some “chill time” for mysel!

Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!

A side view of a glass goblet filled with pistachio fluff watergate salad with a maraschino cherry and chopped pecans on top.
Pistachio fluff is a dessert that is never leftover.

What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.

📝 Recipe Card

Watergate Salad, also known as Pistachio Pineapple Delight, is a retro dessert made with crushed pineapple, pistachio pudding mix, mini marshmallows, chopped pecans, coconut, and whipped topping. Top it with additional nuts, cherries, and whipped cream!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

📖 Recipe

A glass goblet filled with Pistachio fluff or Watergate salad with maraschino cherry and pecans on top.

Pistachio Fluff - Watergate Salad

A light and refreshing classic dessert that is still popular years after its creation.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Summer dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill in the Refrigerator: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 331kcal
As An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Mixing bowl
  • Dry measuring cups
  • Silicone spatula

Ingredients

  • 2 Pistachio pudding mix 3.4 ounces
  • 20 ounce Crushed pineapple undrained
  • 16 ounce Frozen whipped topping thawed
  • ¾ cup Pecans chopped and toasted
  • 2 cups Mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup Shredded Coconut (optional) sweetened
  • Chopped pecans garnish

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the pudding mix and the undrained pineapple until the mix has completely dissolved and the pineapple mixture has thickened.
  • Stir in the chopped toasted pecans, coconut, and mini marshmallows.
  • Fold in the whipped topping.
  • Transfer to a serving bowl or individual glasses and top with chopped pecans and cherries if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 83IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    Powered By ConvertKit
    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Promise
    Recipe for Watergate Salad.

    If you want to print out the recipe sheet just click here.

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Share

    Related Posts

    • Homemade Italian Salad Dressing

      Homemade Italian Salad Dressing from scratch is so much tastier than store bought. By using…

    • Arugula Salad

      Looking for a quick and easy salad recipe? This arugula salad with its lighter dressing…

    • Triestine Salad { Insalata Triestina }

         Learning about a particular cuisine and the products used in it is fun and…

    More Desserts - Dolci

    • Hummingbird Cake
    • Espresso Coffee Cookies
    • Mandarin Orange Fluff Salad
    • Turtle Caramel Pecan Bars

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Marisa Franca, a home chef, food writer, and photographer who believes that you can make gourmet quality food at home with simple seasonal ingredients. I’m passionate about family, food, friends, everything Italian, and happy endings.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 All Our Way