| |

Pistachio Fluff

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Pistachio Fluff Salad (also called Watergate Salad) is an easy, 5 ingredient dessert made with cool whip, crushed pineapple, pudding mix, and mini marshmallows! Like our cherry fluff, orange fluff, or strawberry marshmallow dip, this easy no-bake dessert is always the hit of the party!

pistachio fluff salad in a glass dish topped with a maraschino cherry

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Save Recipe

I love classic desserts like my grandma’s pistachio fluff. Fluff salads were all the rage back in the 70s. These dessert salads usually combined whipped cream or cottage cheese, jello instant pudding mix, marshmallows, and fruit like our fan-favorite strawberry fluff recipe.

Pistachio fluff is also called Watergate salad, supposedly because it was invented by the sous chef at the infamous Watergate Hotel in Washington DC although according to Tasting Table, it dates back to the early 1900s.

I’ve also heard it called Green Goop, Green Goddess, Shut the Gate Salad, Green Fluff, or Green Stuff. Whatever you call it, it’s a fun and delicious dessert!

Why I love this recipe

It is such an easy recipe, it is perfect for letting the kids help. It is the perfect sweet side dish to bring to a potluck. I also like to make it for St. Patrick’s Day or Christmas as a fun green treat!

Ingredients

  • whipped topping (Cool Whip)
  • crushed pineapple – keep the juices
  • mini marshmallows
  • pistachio pudding mix
  • chopped pecans (optional)
pistachio fluff ingredients in a metal bowl

Step by step

There isn’t much to pull this easy recipe together, simply fold the ingredients in a large bowl and chill for at least an hour to let the flavors combine.

Tips for best results

  • Don’t drain the crushed pineapple, the liquid is part of the recipe.
  • Be sure to use INSTANT pistachio pudding mix
  • This is a great dish to make ahead, it tastes better as it sits in the fridge

Variations

  • some people like to mix in a block of cream cheese, but I prefer it without
  • stir in 1 cup of shredded sweetened coconut
  • substitute sugar-free pudding mix and sugar-free whipped topping
  • you can substitute chopped walnuts for the chopped pecans or leave the nuts out altogether
  • traditionally pistachio fluff is served topped with a maraschino cherry but that is totally optional

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
close up of pistachio fluff in glass dish topped with a cherry

Pistachio Fluff


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Description

Pistachio Fluff Salad (also called Watergate Salad) is an easy, 5 ingredient dessert made with cool whip, crushed pineapple, pudding mix, and mini marshmallows!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3.4 ounce box of instant pistachio pudding mix
  • 8 oz. tub of Cool Whip
  • 20-ounce can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • maraschino cherry (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl
  2. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
  3. Add a cherry if desired for garnish.

Notes

Keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 3 days.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: dessert
  • Method: none
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 cup
  • Calories: 249
  • Sugar: 38 g
  • Sodium: 258.7 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 47.7 g
  • Protein: 1.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.1 mg

STRESS-FREE

AND DELICIOUS?

DO YOU WANT DINNER TO BE

Its easy! I will show you how.

Similar Posts

6 Comments

  1. Oh gosh, I can’t even tell you how much I LOVE this stuff! It’s basically the best thing ever! Yum!

  2. I have been looking for this recipe for over two weeks now I ate this at Eaton Park and my husband and I both loved it without the pineapple which is how I usually make it with the pineapple thank you for posting this and it gives me the idea to try different things like the chocolate chips thank you again and happy new year






Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.