This classic dessert salad has been around for over 50 years. It’s a staple at potlucks, picnics, and family gatherings. With this version, you can have this easy pistachio fluff dessert mixed together in less than 10 minutes with everyone asking you to bring it again and again.
Why you’ll love this pistachio fluff
Old fashioned pistachio salad is still popular at potlucks and family get togethers for a reason!
This no bake dessert only requires about 10 minutes of mixing the ingredients together. You’ll pop it in the fridge and it’s ready to go.
This recipe is so easy, it really only has 4 steps and they’re mostly just mixing. This version of Watergate salad is truly a no fail recipe with minimal effort.
While there are a lot of variations out this, this one is the classic old fashioned style pistachio salad. An easy dessert you can throw together in no time.
Watergate salad ingredients
There’s only a few ingredients for this recipe. The exact measurements can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post
- Instant pistachio pudding mix – this will give a subtle pistachio flavor but isn’t overwhelming
- Crushed pineapple – don’t drain the pineapple juice from the can. You need it!
- Mini marshmallows
- Marachino cherries
- Cool Whip – you want to use whipped topping here and not traditional whipped cream
- Chopped pecans (optional) – you could also use other chopped nuts like chopped walnuts or pistachios
Substitute for pistachio pudding in watergate salad
While technically, the pistachio pudding mix is the staple to the green color and flavor of Watergate salad, you can substitute it with other flavors of instant pudding mix.
- Vanilla – this is will give the most neutral flavor.
- Banana – this pairs really well with pineapple and marshmallows.
- Lemon – with this version, you’ll have a citrusy and bright flavor.
- Orange – you can go this route, but you are going to be a lot closer to orange fluff rather than pistachio salad.
Watergate salad variations
There are so many ways to change up the traditional dessert salad.
Fruit: You can add more fruit like mandarin oranges or coconut flakes.
Chocolate: Swap the pistachio pudding for chocolate pudding mix for a rich and chocolatey version.
Berries: Add fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or even raspberries.
Banana split: Add some chopped bananas to the salad. Once it’s mixed with the cherries and crushed pineapple, it’ll give you that banana split flavor.
Key lime: Swap the pistachio pudding mix for key lime and add a little crushed graham crackers into the mix.
kitchen tools to make pistachio fluff salad
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Buy Now → Watergate salad origin
Watergate salad is truly a classic American dessert. The one we know today originated in the 1970s and was made popular by companies like Kraft who called it “Pistachio Pineapple Delight”. It was published by Kraft the same year that their mix for pistachio pudding came out.
It quickly became a staple in the 70s at potlucks and family gatherings.
The exact origin of the name is still unknown and there are several theories. One is that a Chicago food editor renamed it Watergate Salad in an attempt to gain attention, while another theory is that it was invented by a sous chef at the Watergate hotel.
There’s also another theory that it may be the same as Golden Gate Salad that was published in the 1910s, but did not include pudding mix.
How to make pistachio fruit salad
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix with the crushed pineapple. Mix until they are well combined.
- Add in the mini marshmallows and maraschino cherries.
- Fold in the whipped topping and pecans (if using).
- Cover and refrigerate 2-4 hours.
- Serve and enjoy!
tips and tricks for the best pistachio pudding fruit salad
Remember not to drain the crushed pineapple. It will set up in the fridge.
If you decide to use pecans in yours, save a few for the topping before serving.
how to store and freeze pistachio fluff salad
You can take the pistachio fluff salad and place it in an airtight container.
It will stay fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.
Watergate salad vs ambrosia
Both are classic American dessert salads, but they have a few key differences.
Watergate salad has a base that consists of pistachio pudding mix and is more of a creamy texture. It has a very subtle pistachio taste from the pudding mix and typically has marshmallows, crushed pineapple, and Cool Whip.
Ambrosia salad has a base that typically consists of yogurt or sour cream with marshmallows. There’s no pudding mix in ambrosia salad and it usually consists of mandarin oranges, pineapple, and maraschino cherries.
FAQs for pistachio fluff fruit salad
There are a lot of names that Watergate salad goes by including pistachio pineapple delight, green goddess salad, shut the gate salad, Hawaiian delight, green fluff salad, pistachio fluff, and pistachio ambrosia salad.
Watergate salad can be made up to 3 days in advance. It should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You may need to give it a good stir before serving.
When stored properly, it will last in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can freeze Watergate salad! Simple store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months and just serve frozen.
You do not drain the crushed pineapple for Watergate salad. It will combine with the pudding mix and set up nicely.
More dessert recipes you might like
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Old Fashioned Pistachio Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 3.4 ounce boxes Instant Pistachio Pudding
- 20 ounces can of crushed pineapple undrained
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows (about 4 cups)
- 10 ounces maraschino cherries drained and chopped
- 16 ounces whipped topping
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans optional
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix with the crushed pineapple. Mix until they are well combined.
- Add in the mini marshmallows and maraschino cherries.
- Fold in the whipped topping and pecans (if using).
- Cover and refrigerate 2-4 hours.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Remember not to drain the crushed pineapple. It will set up in the fridge.
- If you decide to use pecans in yours, save a few for the topping before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
