If you love a sweet salad filled with pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, Cool Whip, and pistachio pudding, then this Easy Watergate Salad is just perfect! A deliciously cool and creamy addition to any dinner plate, this salad is impressive yet very quick and easy with only 5 ingredients.
Easy Watergate Salad
This incredibly easy Watergate Salad is perfect for your holiday dinner table, but you might also want to make it any weeknight just because it’s delicious. Simply toss the ingredients into a bowl, stir, and chill for a short time–so simple!
While you’re here, check out these other sweet salad recipes: Easy Orange Creamsicle Salad | Ambrosia Salad | Twix Caramel Apple Salad | Strawberry Pretzel Salad
The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the watergate salad (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the printable recipe card):
- Instant pistachio Jell-O pudding mix
- Canned crushed pineapple
- Miniature marshmallows
- Chopped pecans
- Cool Whip
How to Make Easy Watergate Salad
Start by mixing together the dry pudding mix, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans.
Next, fold in the thawed Cool Whip until well combined.
Chill the watergate salad until you’re ready to serve.
You may want to serve the salad in one large bowl, or you can scoop it into individual ramekins, cups, small bowls, or mugs. Individual servings are a really lovely presentation!
Substitutions and Toppings
Nuts – Instead of pecans, you could use chopped walnuts or pistachios.
Whipped cream – If you prefer real whipped cream to Cool Whip, you can definitely use your homemade whipped cream instead.
Toppings – For an extra pretty touch, top the watergate salad with a big dollop of Cool Whip and a maraschino cherry (or a few!).
How to Store Leftovers
Keep the leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Apple Blondies with Maple Glaze
- Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes
- Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
- Caramel Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
- Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Easy Watergate Salad
Ingredients
- 3.4 ounce package instant pistachio pudding mix
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple not drained
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
- 8 ounce container Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
- Start by mixing together the dry pudding mix, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans.
- Next, fold in the thawed Cool Whip until well combined.
- Chill the watergate salad until you're ready to serve.
Last Step:
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140 comments on “Easy Watergate Salad (5-ingredients)”
Yum, used 0 sugar pistachio pudding mix! Couldn’t tell the difference
Thanks Vicki!
Watergate Salad
I had this pistachio pudding (watergate salad) at a church Christmas party 12/24. It was delicious! So I asked for the recipe and here I am! It reminded me of ambrosia salad which is orangey in color and almost never sold in delis now. I never saw anything like it in green. Pistachio pudding is even easier to make; yeah for ME!
Thanks Nellie!
I have made this with the chopped pecans. I have even made it with them chopped up fine. Though , I have issues with them being they get iny teeth and under my partial. I started baking some coconut flakes to put in my Watergate salad instead of pecans. I really enjoy it much better now. Dried cranberries are also good added to the salad. Just a good mixture of color and it’s healthy.
Love this recipe very easy to make and very good to eat thank you for sharing .God BlessYou !!!
Thank you Sherry!
Easy and delicious classic from my childhood. No one could believe I made Watergate salad – the tradition had a hiatus when my Aunt died.
Glad you brought back the tradition Julie. Thanks!
This is sooo delicious! I have used this recipe a few times and enjoy it so much. I have used both pecans and walnuts. I plan to make it again for Christmas lunch!
Thank you Emily!
Very good and easy to make
My pudding looks to thick. I doubled the receipe. Does it get fluffy after chilling it for an hour? Or do I need to add more cool whip
Hi yogi. If you already have it all mixed together, you may need to add more cool whip. Make sure you don’t drain the pineapple which adds liquid to salad.
This receipt was very good addition for our Christmas dinner.
This says 8 servings per recipe. What size serving? ½c, ¾c, or 1c
Hi Victoria. The serving size will be approximately 3/4 cup.
I whip heavy whipping cream and use it instead of Cool Whip and I use pistachios plus the marshmallows.So quick and easy and so delicious.
Thanks Nora. Yes, the heavy whipping cream is such a great alternative!
Simple to make
Perfect for looks and taste
Magnificent to serve at any and all
Ocassions !!! Thank You
Thanks Brenda!
Love this and I make it for a lot of parties. I use 2 boxes of the pudding for more flavor.
Thank you Shirley!