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    Popular » Recipes » Salads

    Pistachio Salad Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Mar 8, 2023 by Dee

    Pistachio Salad recipe, or Watergate Salad, made with pudding mix, Cool Whip, pineapple and marshmallows is fluffy, light and delicious! Serve as an easy side dish   or dessert salad for potlucks, parties, picnics or holidays. It's a classic retro recipe that's worth revisiting! via @meamel

    Pistachio Salad is a creamy fruit salad made with Jello pudding mix, Cool Whip, crushed pineapple and mini marshmallows. An easy recipe and a family favorite dessert salad perfect for holidays and family gatherings.

    Jump to Recipe -
    bowl of pistachio fluff salad with maraschino cherries on top
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Pistachio Fruit Salad (Watergate Salad)
    • Recipe Variations
    • How to Store Pistachio Salad
    • FAQ
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Easy pistachio salad is super simple to make, and it only consists of 4 ingredients, or 5, if you decide to add nuts. The original recipe for Watergate Salad called for chopped almonds or walnuts. But my kids hate nuts in their food, so I leave them out.

    You may know this vintage Jello salad recipe as Pistachio Pineapple Delight, Pistachio Fluff salad, Green Goop or Green Stuff. Bonus points if you know why it's called Watergate salad!

    Like Strawberry Jello Salad and Orange Jello Salad, I got this retro recipe from my grandma's collection -- This easy dessert salad was super popular in the 70's. As I recall, pistachio fluff fruit salad was usually reserved for holiday dinners, church potluck dinners or parties. I don't think we ever had it as part of an ordinary dinner.

    The first time I made Watergate Salad for my family, my kids almost didn't try it. But, they loved it, and my youngest daughter insists on making it herself for holidays and St. Patrick's Day. And sometimes, just because!

    pistachio salad with fruit colored marshmallows in glass bowl

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients to make this pistachio salad recipe. They should be easy to find in your grocery store.

    • Jello pudding mix -- instant pudding mix, generic is fine
    • Crushed pineapple -- a can of crushed pineapple, not pineapple chunks. Don't drain -- you need the pineapple juice, as well
    • Mini Marshmallows -- makes this pistachio fluff even fluffier!
    • Cool Whip -- make sure it is thawed!

    How to Make Pistachio Fruit Salad (Watergate Salad)

    First, you combine crushed pineapple and a small box of instant pistachio pudding mix in a large bowl

    This looks pretty wild, and you can see that the ingredients gave off kind of a weird glow. 

    But remember, this is from the 70's. So, I suppose that's normal, right?!

    mix pineapples and pistachio pudding in glass mixing bowl with spatula

    Then, you mix a small container of whipped topping into the pineapple mixture, using a rubber spatula. And, the weird yellowish-green color disappears!

    If you want more of a crunch, go ahead and add some nuts. But, I think I'm going to agree with the kiddos on this recipe and say that it's fine without the nuts.

    stir cool whip in pudding mix

    Finally, you fold some mini marshmallows into the pudding mixture. And that's all, folks -- you're done!

    Traditionally, you use regular marshmallows. But, we think the fun-colored fruity marshmallows make this fluffy dessert salad extra fun.

    stir marshmallows in pistachio pudding fluff

    Fluffy pistachio salad is one of those recipes that instantly takes you back. After one bite, you'll be thinking, Yes -- I remember this!

    Recipe Variations

    Like most mid-century recipes, every family has their own version of old fashioned pistachio salad. Top it off with maraschino cherries, use sour cream or cottage cheese instead of Cool Whip.

    Stir in shredded coconut or add cream cheese instead of marshmallows. Pistachio fruit salad tastes great with mandarin oranges. The possibilities are endless here!

    We like to make pistachio pudding salad with pastel marshmallows in the spring!

    watergate salad with fruit colored marshmallows on serving spoon

    How to Store Pistachio Salad

    Store this pistachio delight in the refrigerator. Cover the serving bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container.

    It keeps for about 4 days when covered in the fridge.

    You can make pistachio salad up to a day in advance or an hour before serving. It just needs time to set and cool down.

    FAQ

    Why is it called Watergate salad?

    Want to know where Watergate Salad comes from? Truth is, nobody really knows now. Grandma always said it came from a chef at the Watergate Hotel, which became famous after the Watergate scandal. Some say it came from Kraft and got the nickname from a reporter looking to promote the recipe.

    Recipe

    bowl of pistachio salad with pineapple and maraschino cherry on top

    Pistachio Salad

    Published by Dee
    Pistachio Salad is a creamy fruit salad made with Jello pudding mix, Cool Whip, crushed pineapple and mini marshmallows. An easy recipe and a family favorite dessert salad perfect for holidays and family gatherings.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Text Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 25 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 3.4-ounce box of instant pistachio pudding mix
    • 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple not drained
    • 1 8-ounce container whipped topping thawed
    • 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows

    Instructions
     

    • Mix the pineapple with the pudding mix in a medium bowl
    • Fold in the whipped topping
    • Stir in the mini marshmallows
    • Refrigerate until ready to serve

    Notes

    Refrigerate until ready to serve. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 25kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 8mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    I hope you enjoy this old fashioned pistachio fluff salad as much as we do. It's a great recipe for any holiday meal or family event. If you try this green fluff salad, please leave a star rating and/or comment.

    For more Jello pudding salads and easy family favorites, sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow on social media.

    sig%2B1.png

    This post was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2023.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Catalina says

      May 30, 2021 at 7:54 am

      My kid loves pistacchio flavor and he will love this salad for sure!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Robert says

      May 29, 2021 at 10:17 am

      I remember this one! Just as I loved it before. The kids found this and made it right away. Simply the best.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 30, 2021 at 9:08 pm

        So glad you liked the pistachio salad, Robert!

    3. Tisha says

      May 28, 2021 at 10:28 am

      One of my favorite salads during holidays! Great for any occasion!5 stars

      Reply
    4. AErin says

      May 28, 2021 at 9:26 am

      This Pistachio Salad looks absolutely delicious! Yummy! Definitely a must try!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Beth says

      May 28, 2021 at 7:03 am

      Oh wow! I'm so excited to make this for the weekend! So excited to try this recipe! Everyone is going to love it! Looks great and so delicious!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Jo says

      May 27, 2021 at 6:56 pm

      It turns out so great! Everyone in my family loved this dessert!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Krystle says

      May 27, 2021 at 6:08 pm

      I haven't had this in forever. Perfectly light and sweet just like I remember.5 stars

      Reply
    8. Amanda says

      May 27, 2021 at 6:03 pm

      I love anything pistachio flavored, I cannot wait to try this!

      Reply
    9. Jen says

      May 27, 2021 at 1:04 pm

      This totally reminds me of every family reunion we had when I was growing up. It was a staple and I remember my Mom trying to stop me from eating just the marshmallows, haha! Going to make this for my kids this weekend to have the tradition live on.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 28, 2021 at 1:02 pm

        Yes! That's exactly why I made this again!

    10. Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling says

      May 24, 2018 at 9:56 am

      Looove pistachio! This would be perfect for summer picnics!

      Reply
    11. Allyson Zea says

      May 13, 2018 at 4:01 pm

      I've never even heard of this! It looks so good!

      Reply
    12. Katerina @ diethood .com says

      May 12, 2018 at 9:24 am

      This looks and sounds incredibly delicious!! Perfect for summer!!5 stars

      Reply
    13. I Heart Naptime says

      May 12, 2018 at 6:14 am

      This looks so light and refreshing!

      Reply
    14. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      May 12, 2018 at 2:58 am

      Looks so perfect! Definitely a must try!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 12, 2018 at 10:36 am

        Thanks, Erin. It's so easy, too!

    15. Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says

      May 11, 2018 at 4:53 pm

      This recipe takes me back! I remember eating this all the time as a child. I have to introduce my kids!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 12, 2018 at 10:36 am

        I have a soft spot for vintage recipes, so I felt the same way! 🙂

    16. Laurie says

      June 17, 2016 at 5:39 am

      This was always on the table during the summer. We're from upstate NY, my mom added a tub of sour cream and no marshmallows.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 17, 2016 at 2:34 pm

        That sounds good, and I love that there are so many different variations.

    17. Miz Helen says

      February 23, 2016 at 7:50 am

      We just love this salad, it is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a fantastic day!
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    18. Traci says

      February 18, 2016 at 3:51 pm

      This salad sounds yum!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 18, 2016 at 4:59 pm

        The kids absolutely loved it! 🙂

    19. JANET VINYARD says

      February 17, 2016 at 3:53 pm

      Hi Dee, This is so good - being from the South, we always added chopped pecans. I believe it was called Watergate Salad because President Richard Nixon supposedly liked this! Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Janet5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 17, 2016 at 4:51 pm

        I wondered why it was called that. Thanks, Janet! 🙂

    20. Ginger Wroot says

      February 17, 2016 at 12:02 am

      Watergate salad? Never heard it called that before, but I like the retro name and look of this dessert! Pinned this one for a pudding to try soon, maybe this summer...the pale green looks so cool and refreshing!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 17, 2016 at 6:29 am

        Thanks! This is perfect for warm weather. 🙂

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