Watergate Salad
Mar 15, 2026 02:07 PM
This easy Watergate salad recipe is a sweet treat with whipped topping, pistachios, marshmallows, pineapple, and maraschino cherries! It’s a fun, classic potluck dessert.
Watergate salad has possibly one of the funniest histories associated with the origins of its name. It involves a lot of obscurity, satire, urban legends, and a mysterious Chicago food editor. Either way, there’s no debate that this retro dessert salad is a real delight.
Other names it goes by are green fluff, green goop, shamrock salad, shut the gate salad, mean greens, pistachio delight, and green stuff, all of which are charming as well. Whatever you call this dessert, it’s perfect for your next potluck or family gathering!
Ingredients:
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juices
- 2 (3.4 ounce) boxes pistachio instant pudding mix
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios, pecans, or walnuts + more for garnish
- 1/2 cup halved maraschino cherries + whole ones for garnish
- 8 ounces whipped topping
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Total Time:
10 minutes
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