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Pistachio Salad in a clear glass.
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Pistachio Salad

This fluffy and creamy Pistachio Salad is a classic Watergate treat that gets even better overnight! It’s perfect for holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and anytime in between.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword coconut, marshmallow, pineapple, pistachio
Prep Time 5 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 304kcal
Author Jillian Wade
Cost $10.01

Equipment

  • large measuring cup
  • fine mesh strainer
  • mixing bowl
  • rubber scraper

Ingredients

  • 20 oz can crushed pineapple in juice
  • 3.4 oz box instant pistachio pudding
  • 2 ½ cups mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup pecans chopped into small pieces
  • ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip thawed

FOR GARNISH:

  • Cool Whip
  • maraschino cherries drained
  • chopped pecans
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Place a medium fine mesh strainer over a large measuring cup. Drain the pineapple and reserve the crushed pineapple in the strainer until ready to use.
  • In a large bowl add the pudding mix.
  • Stir in the pineapple juice until combined.
  • Add the crushed pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, and coconut.
  • Mix until combined and all of the marshmallows are coated in the pudding mixture.
  • Fold in the Cool Whip.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.
  • Spoon the salad into serving dishes and garnish with cool whip, maraschino cherries, and pecans.

Video

Notes

  • You can use this Watergate Salad recipe as frosting! Just exclude the mini marshmallows, and you’re good to go! 
  • Instead of pecans, you can use chopped unsalted pistachios or chopped walnuts. 
  • Sometimes, I also like to add 2 small cans of drained Mandarin orange to this salad. I especially like doing this for Christmas. 
  • For the holidays, I like to punch up the green color of this salad by adding 1-2 drops of green food coloring during step 2 of the recipe below. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg