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.
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- 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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109 comments on “Easy Watergate Salad (5-ingredients)”
Absolutely delicious..tastes like my awesome childhood memories thank you..love your fantastic recipes thank you for sharing with us! God bless you always
Thank you Renee!
Awesome recipe. Made several times with great response. Everyone loved it. Light and delicious.
I had such a taste for this, it did whip up in less than 10mins. I��m waiting until it chills a bit!!
This is an old school recipe!! It brings me back to childhood!! Thank you for reminding me of how good the 80’s were! Follow the recipe as is!! Scrumptious!
The 80’s were so great Carlisia! Thanks!
To a commenters…if you’re using green grapes ma’am, where are you getting your liquid from? The reason behind using the crushed canned pineapple with juice is to be able to moisten the pudding a little.
have made this for years for almost every Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Someone is always asking for it every time. Here is my recipe and it feeds 15 – 20 people depending on serving size they take. Some take a lot! Lol
2 boxes Pistachio Pudding (it gives it more flavor) 20 oz container Cool Whip (regular tastes the best). Large can Pineapple (either crushed or chunky) do NOT drain juice!
Mini white marshmallows for Christmas and colored marshmallows for Easter.
(I don’t measure marshmallows, I add until it looks good)
Nuts (I don’t measure, just add until it looks good) I think Pecans taste the best, but you can also use walnuts.
Mix whipped cream, pineapple and all the juice and 2 boxes of pudding, until mixed well. Add marshmallows and nuts. Put in fridge for at least 4 hours to firm up and get cold. When being rushed, I have put it in the freezer for 2 hours, take it to the party, and put in fridge until it’s time to eat. Enjoy!!
I have made this for years for almost every Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Someone is always asking for it every time. Here is my recipe and it feeds about 20 people.
2 boxes of Pistacio Pudding l10.2 ounce package instant pistachio pudding mix
▢60 ounce can crushed pineapple not drained
▢6 cups mini marshmallows
▢1.5 cup pecans chopped
▢24 ounce container Cool Whip thawed
How Much of everything should I buy to make for 60 people..graduation party..it will be on dessert table with other desserts..I guess I can make for 50 people since there will be other desserts as well
Easy to make and tastes delicious. Great dish for summer cookouts!
Thanks Denise!
I use green grapes instead of pineapplem
Thank you so much for sharing this simple and delicious recipe. I have so little time to make desserts anymore, but I still like eating them. Yummy.
Thank you Rosetta!
My family and I really enjoyed this salad
Glad to hear that Norma!
The best and so easy. I add cocoanut. My daughter’s best friend and her sister, who’ve become chosen daughters for me, recently asked me if I knew the name of “the green stuff” served at all the family gatherings. Nowadays nobody knows about “Watergate” let alone having a salad named after it. We’re having a family gathering and I’m bringing the Watergate salad with a little sign on it.
Love this salad, I add coconut
Great addition Kitt. Thanks!
My Mom used to make this at every family gathering!
Hi Lacey. Yes a lot of memories with this salad for me as well!
My mom made this when I was a kid, loved it then, love it now