Pistachio Salad

Pistachio Salad: A take on watergate salad and ambrosia dessert salad recipes that uses simple ingredients like fruit, pudding mix, and marshmallows and ready in minutes!

Much like our fruit salad with Cool Whip and Orange Fluff, this fluffy dessert salad is made in minutes and ready to eat!

 

Recipe updated August 2022

Why you’ll love this recipe

I know how much you love salad recipes, whether that’s savory salads or dessert salads… and I knew this would be no different! But I knew you’d especially love this “green fluff” recipe because:

• Easy: This is such a simple salad and great dessert! It only takes 5 minutes to prep. That’s it!
• Simple Ingredients: With only 4 required ingredients, they can all easily be found at any grocery store and you can even keep them on hand for a last minute dessert idea! (Just freeze the Cool Whip to keep it fresh for longer!)
• Perfect for feeding a crowd: If needing a salad recipe for a crowd, this pistachio salad recipe is a perfect fit. It’s a family favorite and crowd-pleaser and it can easily be doubled or tripled if needed! Think, a family reunion, work lunch, family gatherings, or even a fun dish for St. Patrick’s Day!

Ingredients

Get the full recipe card with instructions below!

• 1 3-ounce package pistachio instant pudding
• 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, not drained
• 1 8-ounce tub whipped topping
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• Maraschino cherries, chopped pecans, and/or additional miniature marshmallows for topping – all optional and amounts depend on preference

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the pistachio instant pudding and the crushed pineapple. Mix well to let the pudding mix absorb into the juices from the pineapple.
2. Fold in the Cool Whip and miniature marshmallows.

3. Pour into a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 
4. Just before serving, top the fluff with chopped pecans, additional miniature marshmallows, and maraschino cherries, if desired. Serve chilled. 

How to Serve

You can eat and serve this pistachio salad as a side dish or dessert! It’s one of our favorite recipes for holiday tables, and we simply just eat it with a fork! Or, you can also use it as a dip for graham crackers!

Expert Tip

If you’d like, you can also add chopped pecans into the fluff mixture. If you do want to add them, it’s best to start by adding about a ¼ cup of pecans and then increase the amount, up to ½ cup or so, or until it reaches your desired consistency!

Substitutions and Variations

• Cottage Cheese: I know it may sound wild but some even add cottage cheese to recipes like this! It’s helps offset the sweet in this salad, and has an amazing texture. If you’d like to add it, you can mix in a 16 ounce container of small curd cottage cheese, just before you add the Cool Whip.
• Pudding: Can’t find instant pistachio pudding mix? Consider a different instant pudding mix, although it won’t have that green color this one does and vanilla may be your best substitute, and then if you really want the “green” color, you can add a drop of green food coloring!
• Nuts: If you don’t like pecans or don’t have any on hand, another great idea is to use crushed pistachio nuts! Very fitting for this jello salad!
• Fruit: If you don’t have pineapple for this recipe, you may also want to consider using mandarin oranges! Just chop them up or crush them and use the same amount!
• Watergate Salad and Ambrosia Salad: Sometimes you’ll hear this recipe called other things! (Or maybe you’ve even heard it called “pistachio pineapple delight.”) But we’ve always called it pistachio salad so that’s what we’re going to call it here, too!

Storage

If you happen to have leftovers, you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container, or cover with plastic wrap.

Can you make pistachio fluff salad ahead of time?

Yes! This needs to chill for at least an hour before serving anyway, so making this in advance is a great idea! Ideally, making it the night before is a great plan but just make sure not to add your toppings until right before serving. (The cherry juices could spread, etc. if added too soon.)

More Easy Desserts

If you love this pistachio pudding salad, and you love easy dessert recipes… then you’re DEFINITELY in the right place. Browse our easy dessert recipes to have a place to turn when you’re in the mood for something sweet, and quick!

You’ll especially love this Snicker Apple Salad and this honey lime fruit salad!

Or, if you’re a big fan of pistachio, then you’ll also love these pistachio cookies!

Originally published: August 2019
Updated and republished: April 2025

Recipe