• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lemon Tree Dwelling
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Side Dishes » Fruit Salads » Watergate Salad

    Watergate Salad

    Published: May 7, 2020 · Modified: May 8, 2020 by Cathy Trochelman · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Watergate Salad is a classic dessert salad that's popular at picnics and pot lucks throughout the Midwest. A simple mixture of pistachio pudding mix, crushed pineapple, marshmallows, chopped pecans, and whipped topping, it comes together in minutes and is always a crowd favorite!

    Growing up, dessert salads in one form or another were nearly ALWAYS on the menu at family functions.

    We had everything from Cherry Pie Jello to Ambrosia Salad ... and various versions of this Watergate Salad (also known as Green Goddess Salad) definitely made a regular appearance over the years.

    Now. For those who argue that a "salad" made with pudding mix and marshmallows is actually NOT a salad at all... I understand. But growing up in the Midwest, it was just the norm! In fact, it wasn't a complete meal without one!

    I took the basic Watergate Salad recipe and made one simple, important change: I added toasted coconut. Which, if you ask me, makes ALL the difference! It adds just the right amount of flavor and texture to the recipe and gives it that little something extra.

    If you're looking for a quick and easy side dish or dessert to take to your next picnic (or enjoy at home) this one is guaranteed to be a favorite!

    Jump to:
    • 🍍 Ingredients
    • 📋 Instructions
    • 🍊 Recipe variations
    • 🌡 Storing
    • 🍒 Related recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    🍍 Ingredients

    • 1 box (3.4 oz.) Pistachio Pudding mix
    • 1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple
    • 1 c. mini marshmallows
    • ½ c. chopped pecans
    • ½ c. toasted coconut
    • 8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed

    📋 Instructions

    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine pudding mix, crushed pineapple (undrained), mini marshmallows, chopped pecans, and toasted coconut.
    2. Stir in Cool Whip.
    3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
    4. Before serving, top with additional chopped pecans and toasted coconut as desired.
    5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

    🍊 Recipe variations

    • Add 1 can mandarin oranges, drained
    • Substitute chopped walnuts or peanuts for the pecans
    • Omit the toasted coconut
    • Use fresh whipped cream in place of Cool Whip
    • Add a few drops of green food coloring for a brighter green color

    🌡 Storing

    Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    🍒 Related recipes

    • Pistachio Lush Dessert
    • Pistachio Cookies
    • Pistachio Pineapple Dip
    • Ambrosia Salad
    • Grape Salad
    • Piña Colada Fruit Salad
    • Waldorf Salad

    Continue to Content

    📖 Recipe

    Watergate Salad

    Watergate Salad

    Yield: 8
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes

    Watergate Salad is a classic dessert salad that's popular at picnics and pot lucks throughout the Midwest. A simple mixture of pistachio pudding mix, crushed pineapple, marshmallows, chopped pecans, and whipped topping, it comes together in minutes and is always a crowd favorite!

    Ingredients

    • 1 box (3.4 oz.) Pistachio Pudding mix
    • 1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple
    • 1 c. mini marshmallows
    • ½ c. chopped pecans
    • ½ c. toasted coconut
    • 8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed

    Instructions

    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine pudding mix, crushed pineapple (undrained), mini marshmallows, chopped pecans, and toasted coconut.
    2. Stir in Cool Whip.
    3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
    4. Before serving, top with additional chopped pecans and toasted coconut as desired.
    5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

    Notes

    Recipe variations:

    • Add 1 can mandarin oranges, drained
    • Substitute chopped walnuts or peanuts for the pecans
    • Omit the toasted coconut
    • Use fresh whipped cream in place of Cool Whip
    • Add a few drops of green food coloring for a brighter green color

    Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 247mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 2gSugar: 23gProtein: 2g
    © Cathy Trochelman
    Cuisine: American / Category: Fruit Salads

    Previous Post: « Oatmeal Cookies
    Next Post: Salty Dog »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there, I'm Cathy!

    Welcome to Lemon Tree Dwelling, where I create easy, fresh recipes for everyday life. I believe that good food is meant to be shared, and I can't wait to share all my favorites with you!
    More about me →

    GET WEEKLY RECIPES STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX!

    Popular Recipes

    • Creamy Cucumber Salad
    • Greek Pasta Salad
    • How to Make the Perfect Cheese Board
    • Baja Fish Tacos
    • Fruit Smoothie Popsicles
    • Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
    • Cheesy Zucchini Bake
    • Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Tools

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    Copyright © 2020 LemonTreeDwelling