Easy Watergate Salad (5-ingredients)

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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

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

ingredients to make Easy Watergate Salad

How to Make Easy Watergate Salad

Start by mixing together the dry pudding mix, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans.

stirring together pecans, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and Jello mix

Next, fold in the thawed Cool Whip until well combined.

watergate salad in a mint green bowl

Chill the watergate salad until you’re ready to serve.

Easy Watergate Salad with mini marshmallows and pecans

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!

Easy Watergate Salad in glass mugs

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!).

Easy Watergate Salad

How to Store Leftovers

Keep the leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Easy Watergate Salad

More Recipes You’ll Love

Watergate Salad in a clear bowl topped with whipped cream and a cherry, next to mini marshmallows and chopped pecans.
5 from 13 votes

Easy Watergate Salad

If you love a sweet salad filled with pineapple, marshmallows, 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.
Servings: 8
Prep: 10 minutes

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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Easy Watergate Salad on Pinterest

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24 comments on “Easy Watergate Salad (5-ingredients)”

  1. 5 stars
    I love this recipe! It takes me back to my childhood. I don’t wait for special occasions because we enjoy it so much!

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe has become a family favorite. I use crushed pistachio nuts ( bit more than the recipe calls for) in place of the chopped pecans, and use extra creamy whipped topping. At holiday time I stir in a 1/2 jar of coarsely chopped maraschino cherries. This is a quick-n-easy dessert for last minute company and one that everyone will enjoy.

  3. Malinda Pearl Davis

    5 stars
    THANK YOU‼️ This Watergate Salad Recipe is an absolute FAVORITE❣️ Not only for the light delicious taste, but the ease of making it‼️ Best kept refrigerated; store leftovers (if there are any) in frig for up to 3 days!!
    Have fun decorating‼️

  4. Arlene Milford

    5 stars
    Love this salad. The only thing I do different is, I drain the pineapple. It gets to watery if I don’t. Sometimes I use coconut cream pudding.

    1. 5 stars
      You Can Actually Use Any Flavor Instant Pudding In Place of the Pistachio Pudding, Add or Omit Nuts, Add Coconut or Whatever you Like

  5. I have also made this for many years.  Since the younger ones didn’t care for the pecans, I stopped putting them in.  Also, I use extra creamy cool whip. It adds to the flavor.  And, I add more marshmallows than the recipe calls for.  The younger ones like that.  I always double the recipe, so there is extra.  If there is any still left the next day, I add some more cool whip to it, to fluff it up some more.  It tastes as good as the first day!

  6. Stephanie Dunn

    5 stars
    I have been looking for this recipe for years! I remember that my grandmother made this and I loved it!

  7. I’ve been making this for years every special holiday meal. I always use the coloured marshmallows and a can of very cherry fruit cocktail in too with the crushed pineapple. Sometimes a handful of sweetened coconut. Very versatile.

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