Best 8 Authentic Watergate Salad Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey through time with the iconic Watergate Salad, a delightful dish that has captivated taste buds for decades. Originating in the 1970s, this salad gained immense popularity and became a staple at potlucks, picnics, and family gatherings. With its unique combination of sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors, the Watergate Salad offers a refreshing twist to any meal.

This recipe collection presents two variations of the classic Watergate Salad: the traditional recipe and a lighter, healthier version. The traditional recipe features a luscious combination of pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and whipped cream, creating a dessert-like salad that is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings. For those seeking a healthier alternative, the lightened-up version offers a guilt-free indulgence with Greek yogurt, reduced-fat whipped cream, and sugar-free pudding mix, providing a delectable balance of flavors without compromising taste.

Prepare to tantalize your palate with these two delectable variations of the Watergate Salad. Whether you prefer the classic richness or a healthier option, these recipes guarantee an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EASY WATERGATE SALAD



Easy Watergate Salad image

Easiest recipe on the planet and it tastes awesome. I love this at Easter, but it could great any time of the year.

Provided by sandysue

Categories     Salad

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice (such as Dole®), undrained
1 cup miniature marshmallows (such as Kraft® Jet-Puffed)
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix (such as Jell-O®)
½ cup chopped pecans (such as Planters®)
1 ½ cups frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip®), thawed

Steps:

  • Mix pineapple, marshmallows, pudding mix, and pecans together in a bowl; fold in whipped topping. Refrigerate salad until chilled and thickened, about 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 203.7 calories, Carbohydrate 31.3 g, Fat 8.8 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 183.4 mg, Sugar 25.8 g

WATERGATE SALAD



Watergate Salad image

This chilly delight is an American classic.

Provided by Jennifer

Categories     Desserts     Specialty Dessert Recipes     Dessert Salad Recipes

Time 2h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
1 cup miniature marshmallows
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, mix together pudding mix, pineapple with juice, marshmallows, and nuts. Fold in whipped topping. Chill.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 173.4 calories, Carbohydrate 24.6 g, Fat 7.4 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 1.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 179.6 mg, Sugar 17.9 g

WATERGATE SALAD WITH COCONUT



Watergate Salad with Coconut image

Cool and creamy, great for summer and holidays. Kids love to make and eat this! HINT: Have them decorate the top with cherries and coconut to look like a face!

Provided by lily

Categories     Desserts     Specialty Dessert Recipes     Dessert Salad Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
½ cup flaked coconut
½ cup maraschino cherries, drained

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and pineapple; mix well. Add marshmallows and 3/4 of the container of dessert topping (add more to get a creamier consistency). Toss in the coconut; mix well. Transfer to a serving dish and top with halved cherries and any extra coconut. Chill for at least an hour before serving. Will be good the next day.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 372 calories, Carbohydrate 61.3 g, Fat 11.5 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 0.6 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Sodium 262.8 mg, Sugar 40.5 g

FAMILY TRADITION WATERGATE SALAD



Family Tradition Watergate Salad image

In my family, we have this every time there's any type of get-together. The large bowl is always finished off and finally I asked my great Aunt how she does it. Here's her secret!

Provided by Bwendler

Categories     Salad     Fruit Salad Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 (8 ounce) containers whipped topping (such as Cool Whip®)
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, most of juice drained
½ (16 ounce) package miniature marshmallows, or more as needed
1 (4 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained
2 (3 ounce) packages instant pistachio pudding mix

Steps:

  • Gently combine whipped topping, pineapple with a little juice, marshmallows, cherries, and pudding mix in a large bowl until mixture is fluffy and thoroughly combined. Add more marshmallows if salad isn't fluffy enough. Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 208.4 calories, Carbohydrate 35.4 g, Fat 6.9 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 210.2 mg, Sugar 26.7 g

AUTHENTIC WATERGATE SALAD



Authentic Watergate Salad image

There are a lot of different versions of this recipe out there, but this is the original recipe from The Watergate Hotel where the recipe originated. This will take you right back to your childhood! Just as creamy and delicious as you remembered it to be! Grab a spoon and enjoy! (photo from bing images)

Provided by Kelly Williams

Categories     Fruit Desserts

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 (4 oz.) box pistachio instant pudding mix
1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple with juice, undrained
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 3/4 cups cool whip, thawed

Steps:

  • 1. Stir pudding mix, pineapple with juice, marshmallows and nuts in a large bowl until well blended. Gently fold in cool whip. Refrigerate at least one hour or until ready to serve.

WATERGATE SALAD



Watergate Salad image

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 15m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 package (3.4 ounces) JELL-O® Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding
1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1-3/4 cups thawed Cool Whip® Whipped Topping

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, pineapple, marshmallows and pecans until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts :

WATERGATE SALAD (AUTHENTIC)



Watergate Salad (Authentic) image

This Watergate Salad Recipe was initially called Pistachio Pineapple Delight when it first debued in the 1970's, and only canned pineapple was used. This easy and simple Watergate recipe has since been varied to use other canned fruits as well. How and why the name was changed to Watergate is a mystery. Some people think it has a lot to do with the Watergate Scandals that were prevalent during that time. Whatever the name is - Watergate or Pistachio Pineapple Delight - it is the results of the recipe that are important and this easy and simple Watergate recipe has lots of flavour. Although the original recipe called for canned pineapples, fruit cocktail seems to have become more of a favourite choice. Canned diced peaches or mandarins work really well in this recipe also. So, pick your choice of fruit and get stirring.

Provided by CHEF GRPA

Categories     Dessert

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup miniature marshmallow
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 (4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1 3/4 cups non-dairy whipped topping, thawed

Steps:

  • Stir pudding mix, pineapple with juice, marshmallows and nuts in a large bowl until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Refrigerate one hour or until ready to serve.
  • -------------------.
  • Watergate Salad 2.
  • Ingredients:.
  • 1 (1 pound 4 ounce) can of crushed pineapple, in 100% pineapple juice, drained - reserve the juice.
  • 2 small packages of instant pistachio pudding mix.
  • 1 large (16 ounce) tub of Cool Whip, thawed.
  • 2 cups of miniature marshmallows.
  • 1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts, optional.
  • Instructions:.
  • Drain the pineapple, but reserve the juice! Stir together half of the pineapple juice with the pudding mix until well blended. Gently fold in the Cool Whip and carefully stir in the pineapple, marshmallows, and pecans. Add additional juice only if needed - you want this to be moist but not runny. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour or preferably overnight. Scoop into individual clear goblets and garnish with shredded sweet coconut, chopped nuts and/or Maraschino cherries, if desired.
  • Variations: Add 3 to 4 bananas, sliced, well drained fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, or.
  • Maraschino cherries and/or mix in cottage cheese with the whipped topping.
  • --------------------.
  • Watergate Salad 3.
  • serves 8 - 10.
  • Ingredients:.
  • • 2 cups Miniature Marshmallows.
  • • 2 pkg. (4-serving size each) Jell-O Pistachio Instant Pudding.
  • • 2 cans (14 fl oz/398mL each) crushed pineapple in juice, NOT drained.
  • • 1 cup chopped pecans (or other nuts of your choice).
  • • 3 cups thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping.
  • Instructions:.
  • 1. Combine the mini marshmallows, the 2 dry pudding mixes, the canned pineapple (with juice) and the nuts in a large bowl.
  • 2. Fold in the Cool Whip.
  • 3. Cover and refrigerate your Watergate creation, for at least 1 hour, before serving.
  • Notes:.
  • 1. You can make this recipe as a low-cal dessert by using the sugar-free pudding mix and the low-cal whipped topping.
  • 2. You can substitute canned fruit cocktail, peaches, mandarins, or your favourite type in this recipe.
  • Did you know:.
  • - that Watergate Salad is quite similar to Ambrosia - that this is very popular at potluck dinners and family gatherings - that it is very common in the Upper Mid-western United States. - that young and old alike - all enjoy this refreshing Watergate salad recipe.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 389.2, Fat 21.4, SaturatedFat 12, Sodium 164.7, Carbohydrate 49.9, Fiber 3.2, Sugar 41.1, Protein 4.5

AUTHENTIC WATERGATE SALAD



Authentic Watergate Salad image

I checked all the other recipes here, and each one is a little different in one way or another. THIS is the real deal. I got the recipe from the chef at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC where the recipe originated. If you want the same one served there that was made famous there....this is it.

Provided by The Big Cheese

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 1h10m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 (4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice, undrained
1 cup miniature marshmallow
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 3/4 cups non-dairy whipped topping, thawed

Steps:

  • Stir pudding mix, pineapple with juice, marshmallows and nuts in a large bowl until well blended.
  • Gently stir in whipped topping.
  • Refrigerate one hour or until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 165.4, Fat 8.6, SaturatedFat 4.2, Sodium 67.1, Carbohydrate 22.2, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 18, Protein 2.1

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts will make a big difference.
  • Don't overmix the salad. A few gentle folds will do.
  • Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up.
  • Serve the salad in individual bowls or glasses for a more elegant presentation.

Conclusion:

Watergate salad is a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser. With its creamy filling, crunchy pecans, and sweet pineapple, this salad is sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck.

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