Pistachio Fluff Recipe (Watergate Salad)
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Pistachio Fluff Salad is a delicious combination of rich creaminess and fruity sweetness. This dish is a family favorite and features pistachio pudding, whipped topping, pineapple, mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows. Everyone at your next potluck, cookout, or holiday celebration will be going back for seconds of this light and refreshing dessert or side dish recipe!

Fluff salads are a family favorite. So easy to whip up, these simple fruit salads require less chill time than traditional jello salad, making it easy to add to any holiday dinner as a perfect side dish or as a light dessert option in the warmer months.
Pistachio Fluff is known by so many different names depending upon region, variations in the recipe or family preference. It can be hard to keep them all straight. Here are just a few alternative names for this simple fruit salad with pudding:
- Watergate Salad
- Pistachio Delight
- Green Goddess
- Pistachio Dream
- Green Stuff
- Pistachio Whip
- Pistachio Pudding Fluff
- Green Fluff
- Pistachio Marshmallow Dessert
- Pistachio Cool Whip Salad
- Green Goop
- Pistachio Pineapple Delight
- Pistachio Ambrosia Salad
- Dragon Snot
- Pineapple Pistachio Fluff
This in an old-school recipe and not an entirely original recipe. But who doesn’t love a retro dessert? Whatever you choose to call this creamy fruit salad, it is always a hit so lets’ get to making it!
Pistachio Fluff Ingredients
To make this pistachio fruit salad, you’ll just need a few simple ingredients including:
- pistachio pudding: instant pudding mix variety
- canned crushed pineapple: in pineapple juice, undrained (You can substitute pineapple tidbits but it will change the texture a bit.)
- canned mandarin oranges: for added flavor but can be left out if preferred
- mini marshmallows: for added texture and sweetness
- pistachios (or pecans): Nuts add some crunch and the salty flavor really helps cut down on the sweetness. I like including pistachios to match the pudding but you can use the traditional chopped pecans or even chopped walnuts if preferred.
- Cool Whip whipped topping: You can substitute the light version if preferred
- maraschino cherries: used for garnish as a pop of color but optional
Mandarin oranges aren’t traditional when making a Watergate Salad but I love the addition of them in any fruit salad recipe. You’ll see them in my Strawberry Fluff and Orange Fluff, too. I’m calling this Pistachio Fluff instead of Watergate Salad so all you traditionalists or mandarin orange haters, don’t come at me. Just leave them out if preferred.
No cottage cheese in this fluff recipe! I prefer the texture of a fruit salad without cottage cheese, even though I eat cottage cheese regularly. I know many fluff salad recipes have small curd cottage cheese but not this one. If you like a more firm fluff salad, try this cherry jello salad.
How to Make Pistachio Fluff Salad
It is so easy to make this fluff salad. It is basically a pistachio dump salad. Start by chopping your nuts. I like to reserve a tablespoon or two to use as garnish later.
In a large mixing bowl, add in your box of pistachio pudding mix, crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, pistachios and mini marshmallows. Gently mix together with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
Carefully fold in your cool whip whipped topping to avoid crushing your mandarin oranges too much.
Place the fruit salad in a serving dish and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour. Before serving, sprinkle with remaining chopped pistachios and garnish with maraschino cherries, if desired.
This pistachio salad is refreshing but on the sweet side with the addition of the pudding, mini marshmallows and whipped topping. The nuts really help to balance this out a bit. Moderation is key due to the higher sugar content.
When to Serve Pistachio Fluff
Growing up, no gathering was complete without a jello salad or a fruit salad like this one. Kids and adults alike love it! Some occasions for when to serve this pistachio fluff fruit salad include:
- Potlucks, family gatherings, office parties since it is easy to make a larger batch and can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until serving. This makes for convenient party planning. You know it will disappear at the church potluck!
- Holiday parties including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter dinner. The green color is perfect addition to almost any holiday or spring celebration such as Mother’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day with instant pot corned beef! The addition of maraschino cherries for garnish really ties into the Christmas dinner theme.
- Summer parties, barbecues and picnics are ideal for this recipe. Because fruit fluff is so refreshing, it is a great summer option and offers an nice complement to savory dishes offered like Greek chicken kabobs or Italian pressed picnic sandwiches.
Fluff Salad Tips
- Be sure to rinse and pat your maraschino cherries dry before adding them to the salad to avoid the cherry juice bleeding into your salad.
- Store leftovers covered or in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Watergate Salad Variations
- Tropical Watergate Salad: Add in coconut flakes, and chopped macadamia nuts to the traditional recipe. Sprinkle toasted coconut over the top for garnish.
- Pistachio Fluff Dip: Turn this classic fruit salad into a dip. Whip an 8 oz block of softened cream cheese until nice and creamy. Blend with pistachio pudding and follow the rest of the recipe instructions, leaving out the mandarin oranges. This sweet and creamy dip is perfect for fruit and crackers.
- Strawberry Watergate Salad: Add in sliced fresh strawberries. Garnish with a strawberry slices instead of maraschino cherries.
- Lime Watergate Salad: Add in the juice and zest of one lime to the recipe for a tangy, citrus twist on the classic salad. (This is approximately 2 tablespoons of lime juice and 2 teaspoons of lime zest). Or try this lime jello salad to get your lime fix!
Pistachio Fluff
Ingredients
- 1 pkg (3.4oz) JELL-O Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice undrained
- 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges well drained
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup shelled pistachios chopped and divided (or pecans)
- 1 tub (8 oz) COOL WHIP whipped topping thawed
- maraschino cherries rinsed and patted dry for garnish
Instructions
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In a large bowl, add pudding mix, crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows and pistachios, setting aside 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped pistachios for garnish if desired. Gently mix.
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Fold in whipped topping. Transfer to serving dish. Chill at least one hour.
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Garnish with chopped nuts and cherries, if desired.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Store leftovers covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Do not prepare the pudding mix as stated on the package. There is no milk in this recipe.
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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