Do you love Watergate salad? Well, get ready to love it even more. I'm going to share the original salad recipe. It's perfect for any occasion and always a hit with guests. Give it a try today.
For specifics on the recipe use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- The rich and creamy easy Watergate salad is always a favorite by all!
- This recipe makes the perfect amount to serve a crowd.
- An easy quick salad that is perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and holidays.
- A versatile salad that can be served as a dinner side salad or a dessert salad.
Ingredient List
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Here are the ingredients to make Watergate Salad:
- instant pistachio pudding
- crushed pineapple with juice
- miniature marshmallows
- chopped pecans
- frozen whipped topping
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Stir together the pudding mix and crushed pineapple.
- Stir in the marshmallows and chopped pecans.
- Fold in the whipped topping.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. At least three hours.
Eileen's Tips for Success
- Be gentle when folding in the whipped topping.
- Do not overmix. You want the whipped topping to be fluffy.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a popular question and the answer is not truly known.
Rumor has it that this popular salad was named after The Watergate Hotel where they served this salad at their restaurant.
Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.
- Pudding: Use lemon pudding instead of pistachio for a fresh citrus taste in the Watergate salad recipe.
- Nuts: Walnuts are an alternative for the salad.
- Marshmallows: Use a mix of green, red, and yellow marshmallows instead of just one color.
- Gluten-free: Make this original Watergate salad recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free pudding.
- Additions: Add some color to this salad by adding mandarin oranges.
Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Storage - Any leftover Watergate salad recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Make Ahead: You can make this salad ahead of time and keep it in an airtight covered container until ready to serve. We prefer to make it one day in advance to blend flavors.
Freezer: We do not recommend freezing this salad due to the whipped topping. The ingredients will not defrost with an appetizing consistency
Serving Suggestions
- Grilled BBQ Pork Chops
- Cheesy Foil Packet Potatoes with Onions
- Grilled Asparagus
- Maple Glazed Ham
- A great recipe to serve for Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
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Watergate Salad Recipe
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 2 (3.4) ounce boxes, instant pistachio pudding
- 2 (8) ounce cans, crushed pineapple with juice
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 (8) ounce container, frozen whipped topping thawed
- whipped cream optional topping
- maraschino cherries optional topping
Instructions
- Combine (2)3.4-ounce boxes of pistachio pudding mix and (2) 8-ounce cans of crushed pineapples with juice in a large mixing bowl.
- Add 2 cups mini marshmallows and 1 cup chopped pecans to the pudding mix, stirring until combined.
- To the pudding mixture, fold in the 8-ounce container of thawed whipped topping until completely blended.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours up to overnight.
- Optional garnish, top the servings of Watergate salad with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
