Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Watergate Salad has earned its place as a classic American dessert, and for good reason. It’s a nostalgic treat that brings together a perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and crunch. The combination of pistachio pudding, marshmallows, and pineapple creates a wonderfully light and refreshing dish, while the addition of nuts adds a satisfying texture. Plus, it only takes minutes to prepare, and after a quick chill in the fridge, you have a beautiful, crowd-pleasing treat that’s ready to serve.
Ingredients
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
- 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
- 4 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the crushed pineapple (with juice), pistachio pudding mix, mini marshmallows, and chopped walnuts. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping, ensuring everything is evenly mixed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for 1 to 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up.
- When ready to serve, garnish the Watergate salad with crushed pistachios and maraschino cherries for added color and crunch.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Additional time: 1 to 2 hours (for chilling)
- Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Variations
- Coconut Twist: Add a half cup of shredded coconut for extra flavor and texture.
- Different Nuts: If you’re not a fan of walnuts, try using pecans or almonds for a unique variation.
- Sugar-Free Version: You can substitute the pudding mix with a sugar-free pistachio version for a lighter alternative.
- Frozen Watergate Salad: For a cool, summer treat, freeze the salad and cut it into squares for a frozen dessert.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store Watergate salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze Watergate salad in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. However, the texture of the marshmallows may change when thawed.
FAQs
Can I make Watergate Salad ahead of time?
Yes, Watergate Salad is perfect for making ahead. It only needs a couple of hours to chill in the refrigerator, but you can prepare it the day before to save time on the day of your event.
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
While canned pineapple with juice is ideal for this recipe, you can use fresh pineapple if preferred. Just make sure to use a small amount of juice to keep the salad moist.
Is it possible to make this dessert without nuts?
Yes! If you have a nut allergy or simply prefer to leave them out, you can skip the walnuts. The salad will still be delicious without them.
Can I substitute the whipped topping with something else?
You can substitute the whipped topping (like Cool Whip) with homemade whipped cream or a non-dairy alternative for a lighter or dairy-free version.
How can I make this dessert less sweet?
If you want to reduce the sweetness, use a reduced-sugar pistachio pudding mix and adjust the amount of marshmallows to suit your preference.
How do I garnish Watergate Salad?
Crushed pistachios and maraschino cherries are the classic garnish for Watergate Salad, but you can also use additional chopped nuts, coconut, or even a few extra marshmallows for decoration.
Can I use another flavor of pudding?
While pistachio is the traditional flavor, you could experiment with other instant pudding flavors such as vanilla or butterscotch for a different twist on this salad.
Can I serve this salad as a side dish?
Yes, Watergate Salad works wonderfully as both a dessert and a side dish. It’s often served at holiday dinners or as a refreshing side to balance out savory dishes.
How can I thicken the Watergate Salad if it’s too runny?
If your salad seems too runny after mixing, you can try adding a little more pudding mix. Make sure to refrigerate it for at least an hour to allow it to firm up.
How can I make this dish more colorful?
For an added pop of color, you can mix in maraschino cherries along with the marshmallows or use colored marshmallows for a festive look.
Conclusion
Watergate Salad is a fun, easy-to-make dish that combines the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can prepare this classic treat that will bring joy to your table. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish, a dessert, or a cool snack, Watergate Salad is a crowd-pleasing favorite that never goes out of style.
Watergate Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Watergate Salad is a light and fluffy dessert or side dish made with pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows, and whipped topping. It’s sweet, refreshing, and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
1 cup miniature marshmallows
½ cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
4 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the crushed pineapple (with juice), pistachio pudding mix, mini marshmallows, and chopped walnuts. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping, ensuring everything is evenly mixed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for 1 to 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up.
- When ready to serve, garnish the Watergate salad with crushed pistachios and maraschino cherries for added color and crunch.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
You can freeze Watergate salad for up to 3 months, but note that the texture of the marshmallows may change when thawed.
If you prefer a less sweet salad, use a reduced-sugar pistachio pudding mix and adjust the marshmallows accordingly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
