Watergate Salad

User Reviews

5.0

9 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    5 mins

  • Chill Time

    1 hr

  • Total Time

    1 hr 5 mins

  • Servings

    10

  • Calories

    382 kcal

  • Course

    Side Dish, Salad

  • Cuisine

    American

Watergate Salad

The classic side salad that's made with just 6 ingredients including pineapple, pistachio pudding mix, marshmallows, maraschino cherries, pecans, and whipped topping! A one-bowl, stir-together, 5-minute recipe that's perfect for casual events, parties, and family dinners.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 20- ounce can crushed pineapple with juice do not drain
  • two 3.4 ounce packages pistachio instant pudding mix not cook 'n serve
  • 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
  • 1 cup Maraschino cherries halved; plus a few more whole cherries for garnishing
  • cup pecans lightly chopped (walnuts may be substituted; or omit the nuts if preferred)
  • 16 ounces Cool Whip or similar whipped topping thawed (2 standard sized tubs)
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Instructions

  1. To a large bowl, add the pineapple with juice, the instant pistachio pudding mix, and stir to combine. Note - you are not making pudding here; just add the dry pudding mix and stir it with the pineapple and juice.
  2. Add the marshmallows, cherries (Tip - don't get too much cherry juice into the bowl because when mixed with the green pudding, the color will become less pretty), pecans, and stir to combine.
  3. Add the Cool Whip and lightly fold to combine.*
  4. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
  5. Before serving, garnish with a few whole cherries and additional pecans, if desired. Watergate salad will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days although will deflate and be more watery as time passes. I recommend making it 1 to 4 hours before you plan to serve it.

Notes

  • * I suggest using regular full-fat Cool Whip or Light, but not Fat-Free. Because the fat creates the fluffiness which is a hallmark of Watergate salad. Also I have found that the brand name Cool Whip tends to be a bit fluffier than store brands or generic brands from my personal experience.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1 Calories 382kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat 11g Cholesterol 1mg (0%) Sodium 125mg (5%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 31g (62%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 382 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 382kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11g 65%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 125mg 5%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 31g 62%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

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Overall Rating

5.0

9 reviews
Excellent

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