Watergate Salad
Watergate Salad is a delightfully creamy, sweet, and crowd-pleasing dessert salad that combines fluffy whipped topping, crunchy nuts, and juicy pineapple in a refreshing mix. Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or any occasion, this easy-to-make salad offers a unique combination of flavor and texture that keeps everyone coming back for more.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes + chilling time
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple tidbits, well drained
- 1 package (3.4 oz) pistachio instant pudding mix
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Optional: 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- Prepare the Ingredients: Drain the pineapple tidbits thoroughly to prevent excess moisture that could water down the salad. Chop the nuts if they aren’t pre-chopped. Measure out the mini marshmallows and pudding mix for easy assembly.
- Mix the Pudding and Whipped Topping: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pistachio pudding mix with the whipped topping. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no lumps remaining.
- Combine the Ingredients: Gently fold the drained pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped nuts into the creamy pudding mixture. Stir carefully to evenly incorporate all ingredients without overmixing to maintain fluffiness.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the Watergate Salad for at least one hour to let the flavors meld and the texture firm up beautifully before serving.
Notes
- Use well-drained pineapple to avoid watery salad consistency.
- Fold ingredients gently to keep the whipped topping light and fluffy.
- Chill the salad adequately to enhance flavor and texture.
- Use fresh, unsalted nuts to balance sweetness and avoid bitterness.
- Adjust sweetness by modifying pudding mix amount or adding honey if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Watergate Salad, pistachio salad, creamy dessert, pineapple salad, no-bake dessert, potluck recipe, easy dessert, fluff salad