Watergate Salad Pistachio Pineapple (Printable)

Creamy pistachio blend with pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, and whipped topping for a refreshing chilled dish.

# What You Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 (3.4 oz) package instant pistachio pudding mix
02 - 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
03 - 1 cup miniature marshmallows
04 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans
05 - 1 1/2 cups thawed whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip)

→ Garnish (optional)

06 - Additional chopped pecans
07 - Maraschino cherries

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine the instant pistachio pudding mix with the entire can of undrained crushed pineapple in a large mixing bowl. Stir until fully blended and the pudding powder is dissolved.
02 - Fold in the miniature marshmallows and chopped pecans until evenly incorporated.
03 - Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the mixture until combined and uniformly light green in color.
04 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to chill.
05 - Before serving, garnish with additional chopped pecans and maraschino cherries as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It takes ten minutes to throw together, no oven or stovetop required, perfect for hot days when you dont want to cook.
  • The contrast of creamy, crunchy, and chewy textures keeps every spoonful interesting, and kids devour it without realizing its technically a salad.
  • It travels beautifully to picnics and potlucks, staying cool and fluffy even after an hour on the buffet table.
02 -
  • Never drain the pineapple—the juice is what makes the pudding set without lumps, and without it youll end up with a dry, grainy mess.
  • Let the salad chill for the full hour or longer if you can, because warm Watergate Salad tastes flat and the marshmallows stay too firm.
  • Use a rubber spatula to fold in the whipped topping instead of a whisk, which will knock out all the air and leave you with a dense, heavy mixture.
03 -
  • Toast your pecans in a dry skillet for three minutes before chopping them—it deepens their flavor and makes the whole salad taste more intentional.
  • If youre making this for a crowd, double the recipe and use a big trifle dish so everyone can see the fluffy green layers and colorful garnishes.
  • Fold in the whipped topping at the very last moment before chilling if you want maximum fluffiness, and never use a stand mixer or youll end up with soup.
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