Pistachio Fluff Salad only takes 10 minutes to prepare- and only requires 5 ingredients (6 if you include cherries)! Light and fluffy, this salad is a great way to beat the summer heat. Need a last-minute potluck or party dessert? This is the salad for you!
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Why you'll love this recipe
This salad goes by many names- Watergate Salad, Pistachio Dessert Salad, Pistachio Delight. It's delicious no matter what you want to call it! This salad is loaded with pineapple and pistachios, combined with pudding mix and Cool Whip, for the ultimate sweet and creamy summer treat!
Not only is Pistachio Fluff Salad heavenly, but it also couldn't be easier to make. Mix all of the ingredients together and chill. It's as simple as that!
What is Watergate salad?
If you're looking for the typical green and leafy salad, you won't find that here! Green- yes. Leafy- absolutely not. Watergate salad is a sweet combination of pistachio pudding, Cool Whip, pineapples, pistachios, and miniature marshmallows.
As for the name, no one on the internet seems to know exactly why people call it "watergate". Theories suggest that it either got its name from a chef at the Watergate Hotel or Watergate Cake- which could have come from the Watergate scandal of 1972.
Ingredients
This yummy party dessert is easy and relatively cheap to make. Here's what you'll need:
- Pistachio pudding mix
- Crushed pineapple
- Pistachios
- Cool Whip
- Miniature marshmallows
- Maraschino cherries
Step-by-step instructions
Let's make this super easy summer dessert salad!
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the crushed pineapple (with juices!) and pistachio pudding mix.
Mix well. After that, add in the chopped pistachios and miniature marshmallows.
Now, fold in Cool Whip, cover, and chill for about 2 hours. This chill time allows this dish's flavors to meld together, resulting in a light, fluffy (and delicious!) dessert salad. Garnish with maraschino cherries and additional chopped pistachios before serving!
Substitutions
Instead of pistachios, chopped walnuts or pecans can be used. Because this recipe is made with pistachio pudding, I prefer to use chopped pistachios. It is called Pistachio Fluff Salad for a reason. 😉
Make it for a crowd
This recipe can be easily doubled. It's such a crowd-pleaser, that you might want to consider making a double batch. I promise this salad won't last long!
- 2 3.4-ounce boxes of pistachio pudding mix
- 2 20-ounce cans of crushed pineapple (don't drain them!)
- 1 cup of chopped pistachios
- 16 ounces of thawed Cool Whip
- 4 cups of miniature marshmallows
- Maraschino cherries and additional chopped pistachios for garnish
Combine the ingredients as directed in the recipe card below.
Tips & tricks
Don't drain the pineapple. The juice mixes with the pudding mix. If you drain the pineapple, it will not turn out right.
Add chopped maraschino cherries. Chop up a handful of cherries and mix it in for a more colorful salad.
Chill the salad for at least two hours. For the best flavor and texture, be sure to leave enough time to refrigerate this salad before serving.
Recommended tools
- Large Mixing Bowl. This set is perfect for all sorts of desserts!
- Spatula or Wooden Spoon. I like using a silicone spatula to gently fold the mixture together.
Storage
Refrigerator: For the best results, store Watergate dessert in an airtight container for up to three days. This means that this salad can absolutely be made ahead of time!
Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this salad! Fresh is best.
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Recipe
Pistachio Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 3.4 oz instant pistachio pudding mix
- 20 oz crushed pineapple not drained
- ½ c chopped pistachios
- 8 oz Cool Whip thawed
- 2 c miniature marshmallows
- maraschino cherries for garnish
- chopped pistachios for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the crushed pineapple (with juices!) and pistachio pudding mix.
- Mix well. Add in the chopped pistachios and miniature marshmallows.
- Fold in Cool Whip, cover, and chill for about 2 hours. Garnish with maraschino cherries and additional chopped pistachios before serving!
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
The nutritional information provided is only an estimate. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.
Double or even triple this recipe for graduation parties, baby showers, BBQs, potlucks, family gatherings, Super Bowl parties, camping get togethers, and Labor Day or Memorial Day weekend parties.
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