No one knows for sure where the name Watergate Salad came from, but one thing’s clear: the combination of instant pistachio pudding mix, miniature marshmallows, whipped topping and canned pineapple with pineapple juice has graced many a dinner table and potluck meal through the years. Here's everything you need to know about Watergate salad including how to make it.
Why Is it Called Watergate Salad?
Watergate salad has many “aliases.” This recipe is sometimes called "Funeral Salad" (since it was brought to many post-funeral gatherings and meals in years past), “Green Goop,” “Green Fluff” and or “Pistachio Delight.”
Some have claimed that Watergate salad was invented by a sous chef at the Watergate Hotel in
Washington, D.C. The story goes that the salad became popular during and after the Watergate scandal involving President Richard Nixon in the early 1970s. Several food brands have also claimed to have invented the classic fluff salad under various names. Either way, the true history of Watergate salad remains a mystery.
Watergate Salad Ingredients
The great news about whipping up homemade Watergate salad is you'll only need a handful of pantry ingredients.
- Canned Pineapple: For the best texture, our Test Kitchen recommends using crushed pineapple in this Watergate salad recipe. Do not drain the liquid. You'll combine it with the pudding mix.
- Pudding Mix: You'll need instant pistachio pudding for this recipe. It gives the dish its classic green color.
- Whipped Topping: If you buy your whipped topping frozen, ensure it's completely thawed before adding it to the rest of the ingredients.
- Marshmallows: Choose mini marshmallows for this fluff recipe—you'll need two cups.
- Chopped Nuts: Pistachios are classic in this recipe but you could also use an equal amount of chopped pecans or walnuts.
How to Make Watergate Salad
You'll need just 5 minutes to make this pistachio fluff recipe. We'll walk you through the complete process below but here's the basic steps.
Mix the undrained crushed pineapple with the pudding mix until combined. Fold in the whipped topping and mini marshmallows. Chill until set and top with chopped nuts and Maraschino cherries if desired.
