Pistachio Fluff Salad Recipe - Watergate Salad (2025)

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posted by Crissy Pageon Jun 27, 2017 (updated Jan 19, 2024) 11 comments »

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Leave it to grandma to throw a few tasty ingredients into a bowl, mix it up with a little love and call it a dessert worthy of taking to a potluck. That’s just exactly what my grandma did with this yummy pistachio fluff salad when I was a kid and I’ve been loving the recipe ever since.

I’ve seen this recipe called pistachio delight, watergate salad, green goop, green fluff, green stuff, shut the gate salad, and pistachio mallow salad. Phew, this green dessert has a lot of monikers! No matter what you call it, this easy dessert recipe is always a winner with my family.

This recipe sort of reminds me of another family favorite recipe, this tasty ambrosia salad.

Pistachio Fluff Salad Recipe

Pistachio Fluff Salad Recipe - Watergate Salad (1)

Here’s the funny thing about this pistachio fluff salad. I actually don’t normally care for marshmallows unless they’ve been toasted and smushed between two graham crackers with a chunk of chocolate!

I’m definitely not one to snack on mini marshmallows, but, I LOVE to eat them incorporated into this scrumptious pistachio fluff salad. Go figure. It just works for me!

Pistachio Fluff Salad Recipe - Watergate Salad (2)

I’m a big fan of pecans, so I adore the crunch and flavor that the chopped pecans add to this pistachio dessert, but if you don’t like pecans you can certainly leave them out. I know from past comments on my recipes that quite a few of you are not partial to nuts in your recipes! :)

RELATED: Try my creamy grape salad or my mom’s classic peanut butter no bake cookies!

Pistachio Fluff Salad Recipe - Watergate Salad (3)

If you ask me, it’s not officially summertime until I’ve whipped up at least one batch of this amazing pistachio fluff salad dessert. I’m planning to make a big bowl for our 4th of July celebration next month and I’d highly recommend that you do the same!

If you’ve made this dessert before, I’d love to know what YOUR family calls it. Leave a comment below and let me know, and be sure to watch our fun tutorial video! :)

More Classic Summertime Recipes

  • Three Bean Salad
  • Classic Potato Salad
  • Cowboy Caviar
  • Ambrosia Salad
Pistachio Fluff Salad Recipe - Watergate Salad (4)
Pistachio Fluff Salad Recipe - Watergate Salad (5)

This classic dessert is easy to make and tastes delicious every time.

Ingredients

  • 1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained (I used sweetened in its own juice).
  • 1 3.4oz. box pistachio instant pudding
  • 1 ¼ cups miniature marshmallows
  • 1 8oz. container whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
  • maraschino cherries for topping, optional

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl stir together the pineapple and the pudding. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until well blended. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Optional, top with more chopped pecans and maraschino cherries.

Desserts Salads

originally published on Jun 27, 2017 (last updated Jan 19, 2024)

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11 comments on “Pistachio Fluff Salad”

  1. Gret Reply

    Can you add pistachio nuts instead of pecans? Allergic to pecans.

  2. Sudan Napoli Berens Reply

    Definitely making this in a few hours for our Christmas dessert! My Mother In Law said everyone would ask her to bring “that green stuff” to get together. Years ago when I was a Girl Scout Leader we called it Pistachio Fluff. For fundraising we’d hold our annual Spaghetti dinners along with salad, dinner rolls & of course Pistachio Fluff. It was always a huge hit & allowed our troop of girls to earn money for camp every year! I don’t recall adding marshmallows though so… I’m crossing my fingers! I have everything except those & I’m fairly certain I won’t find any stores open nearby. I’m betting that most of the girls; now we’ll into their 40’s are still making this and have passed it down to their children as well. Happy Holidays to all and TYFS!

    Rating: 5

  3. Kaylene Reply

    Can this recipe be made the day before? Looks delicious!

  4. AmyStar Reply

    I also add mandarin oranges and shredded coconut that’s how my gram made it I make it every holiday

    Rating: 5

    • Crissy Reply

      Ooh yummy!

  5. Mary Reply

    Hi Crissy, I have a recipe similar to this that we call a “dump salad”….dump all ingr. in bowl and mix together. It has the pineapple, pistachio pudding, cool whip and a carton of cottage cheese. Sometimes I add marshmallows or cherries.

  6. Maggie Valera Reply

    We have green stuff but there are no marshmallows at all. It’s an entire can of crushed pineapple, mixed with a 6oz box of Lime Jello. Mix well and let sit for a couple of hours so that the pineapple can soften the gelatin. Then add a large container of cottage cheese (I prefer small curd, others prefer large curd, and some prefer no curd, if that’s the case just throw it the blender till it’s smooth) and add a regular container of nondairy whipped topping, mix all 4 ingredients together and chill over night.

    For storing it I’ve found that putting it shallow containers works best. I keep the cool whip containers and just keep using them. One batch of this fits in 3 cool whip containers. Taller containers cause more of the pineapple juice to settle to the bottom and it won’t keep the firm texture. Because of pineapple and cottage cheese it not only makes a great snack or dessert but it also makes a guilt free summer breakfast! If you ever lose this recipe, you’ll find it by Googling “green stuff”, there is also “orange stuff” and “red stuff” that only requires a change of Jello flavor

  7. Nancie L. Reply

    I don’t drain my pineapple and have used the tidbits before (just as yummy), we’ve always called it Watergate Salad. No matter what you call it, it is SO good!

  8. Kristin M Reply

    As a kid I always called this “That Green Stuff that Grandma Makes.” ? I haven’t seen this recipe in years, but I LOVE it and will absolutely be pinning this. Thank you for sharing! Also, that milk glass serving bowl is stunning.. oh my goodness. ?

  9. Vicki Skonieczny Reply

    Hi Crissy,
    Finally someone who gets it about the “raw” marshmallows as I like to call it. I can eat them toasted, in a s’more, melted into hot chocolate or even love them in rice krispies treats. But I simply cannot eat a plain old marshmallow except in “green ambrosia” salad, as my grandmother used to call it. I really think it’s a textural thing with me. The marshmallow on its own just has too funky of a feel in my mouth. I find them disgusting, even the mini ones. However, in the salad, I think it’s mixed with the different textures of the fruit and especially the nuts that makes it tolerable, even enjoyable. Thanks for the recipe, it really takes me back. My grandmother’s was exactly the same except she sprinkled coconut into hers too.

  10. Shelli Reply

    We just call it green salad!! Lol
    All the kids always eat some green salad!

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Pistachio Fluff Salad Recipe - Watergate Salad (2025)

FAQs

What is Watergate salad made of? ›

Watergate salad is an American classic. This delightful side dish salad or dessert is made with pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, nuts, and whipped topping.

Why do they call it Watergate salad? ›

Syndicated household advice columnists Anne Adams and Nan Nash-Cummings, in their "Anne & Nan" column of October 9, 1997, reported that name came from the similar "Watergate Cake" (which shares most of the same ingredients): "The recipes came out during the Watergate scandal.

What is pink fluff made of? ›

Pink Fluff. It's not complicated. Just combine cottage cheese, jello mix, fruit, and cool whip. The resulting concoction will leave you breathless, and full.

What does Watergate stand for? ›

The term "Watergate" has since become synonymous with various clandestine and illicit activities conducted by Nixon's aides, including the bugging of political opponents' offices, unauthorized investigations, and the misuse of government agencies for political purposes.

Why is it called Ambrosia salad? ›

Ambrosia was so named for the food of the Greek and Roman gods. Its region of origin is lost to history. Its ties to the South are strong, though some believe it began in Vermont or elsewhere in New England.

Why is pistachio cake called Watergate cake? ›

According to WAMU reporter Gabe Bullard, the name may be satirical wordplay: an early recipe published by the Hagerstown Daily Mail of Maryland in September 1974 (a month after the resignation of Richard Nixon) credits Christine Hatcher, who gave the cake its name "because of all the nuts that are in it." Author Joseph ...

Why is pistachio pudding green? ›

The green color of a pistachio comes from chlorophyll, just like green plants and vegetables. It's unique among other nuts and seeds for this feature. Pistachios grown in cooler climates have especially vibrant color. So that's why pistachio pudding and ice cream is green.

What is the flavor of pistachio pudding? ›

Pistachio Pudding is a delightful and indulgent dessert that combines the rich and nutty flavor of pistachios with a smooth and creamy texture. This luscious treat is a favorite among dessert enthusiasts and is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

What is Florida salad made of? ›

directions. place salad greens in lrg bowl. toss with onions,olives,tomatos,vinegrette˜O and parmagian cheese. (you want to add enough parmagian cheese to be able to see it) serve with crumbled blue cheese on side for guests to add as light or heavy as they like this is best if made immediately before serving.

What is Greek salad made of? ›

A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. This classic combination is delicious, so I stick to it, just adding a handful of mint leaves for a fresh finishing touch.

What is a creamy fruit salad made of? ›

Beat cream cheese and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Mix in whipped topping on high speed until incorporated. Fold in pineapple, fruit cocktail, bananas, apple, coconut, pecans, raisins, and cherries. Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

What is marshmallow fluff made of? ›

Fluff's ingredients include corn syrup, sugar syrup, vanilla flavor, and egg whites. Fluff continues to be a regional tradition in the Northeastern United States.

What is peanut butter fluff made of? ›

This easy Peanut Butter Fluff recipe makes a rich and creamy dessert dip in 10 minutes. A simple combination of cream cheese, peanut butter, instant pudding, and whipped topping is folded together and filled with plenty of chocolate and peanut butter flavor and candy pieces.

What is in Cool Whip? ›

Cool Whip Original is made of water, hydrogenated vegetable oil (including coconut and palm kernel oils), high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, skimmed milk, light cream (less than 2%), sodium caseinate, natural and artificial flavor, xanthan and guar gums, polysorbate 60, sorbitan monostearate, sodium polyphosphate, ...

What is a Faucon salad? ›

Xavier Faucon was a French restaurateur and reportedly an extraordinarily gifted cook. People were already trying to get his salad recipe when he retired in 1926. The salad ingredients were simple enough: iceberg lettuce, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and sometimes a tomato (though that may be a contemporary innovation).

How many calories are in Watergate salad? ›

Calories in Watergate Salad
Calories163.1
Polyunsaturated Fat3.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat0.7 g
Cholesterol0.0 mg
Sodium183.3 mg
8 more rows

Which famous West Coast salad is also called King of Salads? ›

Crab Louie salad, often dubbed the "king of salads," is a West Coast classic that began popping up at various area restaurants in the early 1900s. It isn't entirely clear, however, just who made the first Crab Louie or who the salad is named for.

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