Pistachio Pudding Dessert (Watergate Salad)

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Last Updated on May 6, 2025 by Kiersten James, BS, RN

This classic pistachio pudding dessert, also known as Watergate Salad, is an old-school classic made with instant pistachio pudding mix, Cool Whip, crushed pineapple, marshmallows, and chopped nuts. It’s a budget-friendly crowd pleaser for holidays and potlucks.

I think there is something so interesting about these retro recipes that have stood the test of time. They’re made from pantry basics, usually very inexpensive, and just always seem to quietly show up at every major gathering by someone’s elderly relative.

This pistachio pudding dessert, also what many around here call Watergate salad, has been around just as long as icebox cakes.

It remains one of those easy, reliable desserts I can throw together with my eyes half closed and still get compliments from guests.

All it takes is a box of instant pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, Cool Whip, a few handfuls of mini marshmallows, chopped nuts, and cherries for color. That’s it.

No oven, no gelatin packets, no mess or fuss. It’s one of those desserts that tastes like it came straight out of a 1990s fridge, but I mean that in the best possible way.

If you’re used to pistachio pudding dessert from church socials or your aunt’s green Tupperware bowl, you’ll know exactly what I mean. It’s not fancy but is exactly the kind of recipe where people come back for just one more bite.

It keeps well in the fridge and the longer it sits, the better it gets. It’s sweet, yes, but not overly rich where you feel sick afterwards.

What Is Watergate Salad?

Watergate salad first became popular in the 1970s, right around the same time Jell-O released its instant pistachio pudding mix.

Apparently, this recipe was developed by a Kraft employee and printed on the back of the pudding box under the name Pistachio Pineapple Delight.

Somewhere along the way, people started calling it Watergate Salad in response to the political scandal that rocked the United States around the same time it became popular.

For whatever reason, the name stuck and nobody on the internet really knows who came up with it first.

Nevertheless, you’ll likely still see it pop up in old church cookbooks and handwritten recipe cards tucked in the back of your mom or grandma’s kitchen drawer.

Make It Your Own

At our house, Watergate salad is made with instant pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple with the juice, mini marshmallows, Cool Whip, a handful of chopped walnuts, and topped with maraschino cherries.

Some recipe variations replace the walnuts with chopped pecans and omit the cherries for shredded coconut instead.

You can serve it straight from the bowl or spoon it into recycled jelly jars or martini glasses if you’re hosting company.

Either way, it’s always a hit. My kids call it “green fluff” and I haven’t yet found a reason good enough to correct them.

Pistachio Pudding Dessert (Watergate Salad)

Ingredients:

• 1 can of crushed pineapple with the juice
• 1 package instant pistachio pudding mix
• 1 container Cool Whip, thawed
• 1.5 cups mini marshmallows (about 1/2 of a 10.5oz bag)
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
• Maraschino cherries for garnish and color

Instructions:

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the Cool Whip, dry instant pudding mix, and crushed pineapple with the juice.

While the pudding mix hydrates, chop the walnuts. Gently fold the mini marshmallows and walnuts into the pudding.

Refrigerate in a covered container until ready to serve. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 5 to 6 days.

Save It for Later!

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