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Pistachio Salad is a retro dessert salad recipe that also makes a great side dish! This fluff salad has pineapple, pistachios, marshmallows, and cherries!
Pistachio Salad
Some of you may remember this dish from your childhood. It seems like every family had their own way of making it – and they were all delicious!
I remember my mom and grandma making this easy salad many times growing up. It is almost dessert-like but makes a great side dish, too. It’s a nice change from the typical coleslaw, potato salad, or macaroni salad … and perfect for warm weather! It’s also a holiday favorite!
Pistachio Salad Recipe
- pistachio instant pudding
- crushed pineapple
- chopped nuts
- miniature marshmallows
- frozen whipped topping
- maraschino cherries, optional
How to make dessert salad recipes
Time needed: 2 hours and 20 minutes
How to make Pistachio Salad
- In a large bowl combine the dry pudding mix with pineapple, nuts, and marshmallows.
- Add the whipped topping and mix well.
- If using, mix in the cherries.
- Chill until serving, at least 2 hours.
Pistachio Salad: FAQs
Be sure to read this section if you run into any problems or have questions about the recipes before leaving a comment.
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Yes! It can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
You can freeze it! Make sure it’s wrapped well in plastic wrap before freezing. It can be stored for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
I wouldn’t call it healthy … but everything in moderation can be part of a healthy diet.
My personal opinion – pistachios, pecans, or walnuts. Use whatever kind of nuts your family likes.
For my family, we sometimes serve this as a fruit salad. Anywhere it makes sense to serve a fruit salad, it makes sense to serve this dish, in my opinion. It’s especially nice on days when it’s too hot to cook much – so we tend to serve it more when we have cookouts with a burger or hot dogs. It’s also a staple at every holiday!
My family always added them , so I do too. If you prefer, you can totally leave them out!
How did you like this recipe?
Doesn’t this recipe take you back to the good old days?! If you’re old enough to remember this dish, then you know how much of a blast from the past this is – everyone had a recipe for this salad!
I would love to know what your thoughts are … did you run into any problems or did you change it up? Maybe you loved it and it brought back a flood of memories. Let me know about your experience in the comments!
Other recipes you may enjoy
- Cherry Chiffon Salad
- Caramel Apple Snickers Salad
- Orange Fluff Salad
- Pina Colada Fluff
- Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad
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Pistachio Salad
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box pistachio instant pudding, 3.4 oz.
- 1 can crushed pineapple, 20 oz.
- ½ cup chopped nuts
- 1 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 container frozen whipped topping, thawed, 8 oz.
- ½ cup maraschino cherries, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the dry pudding mix with pineapple, nuts, and marshmallows.
- Add the whipped topping and mix well.
- If using, mix in the cherries.
- Chill until serving, at least 2 hours.
Notes
- In my opinion, the best nuts to use for this are pistachios, pecans, or walnuts.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally published on July 8, 2012. Updated on September 9, 2020.
My Mama and Grandma made this also! I had forgotten about..I'm doing that way to much lately. ~smile~ Thanks for the recipe and memories. <3 Thank you for sharing on Thursday's Treasures Week 42. I hope to see you again each week. <3 and hugs! http://www.recipesformyboys.com/2012/07/thursdays-treasures-week-42.html
Hi, Debi 🙂 This salad seems to be a part of many childhoods and family traditions!
i remember growing up with this…yum!!!
Loved this salad as a kid!
This IS a dessert, and a very unique and delicious one.
Thank you, Winnie!
I love these salads!
Me too, Sarah! It's such a nostalgic salad for me!
Saw this on Tip Junkie. We make something similar, but without the cherries. We too call ours Watergate Salad, or simply "green stuff." Thanks for the reminder … I'll have to make some soon!
Thank you for stopping by!
I would love it, if you would share this, & any other recipes you may have, on my recipe link up. http://goodrecipesonline.com/organized-linkup-for-all-your-recipes-goodrecipesonline-com/.
I love pistachio salad! It brings so many childhood memories! I need to pin this!
This salad has many memories for me, too. I think we had this at every holiday meal!
Ah yes! Watergate salad, but like Debra Ann noted without the marshmallows or cherries. My mom used to make this and Waldorf salads in the summer!
Thanks for the memory and reminding me I need to make this for my family!
Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Super post. I got to this via Mealtime Monday on Couponing and Cooking. I have linked in some bacon and scrambled egg rolls. Enjoy.
This is yummy. Here in the South we call it Watergate Salad. It's one of my favorite dishes to make for family reunions and goes like hotcakes! Thanks for sharing. The only things I don't add are the cherries,marshmallows and chopped nuts.
I have heard it called that before! I think it's a nice change from the typical coleslaw, potato or macaroni salad. 🙂