# History and Recipe of Watergate Salad

URL: https://tastessence.com/vegetables-fruit/history-recipe-of-watergate-salad
Category: Vegetables & Fruit
Published: 2015-02-13T06:58:00
Updated: 2026-08-05T17:46:05
Watergate salad is not at all a salad. It’s a popular American dish that could be had as a side dish or a dessert. Read this Tastessence article to know all about it.

**Watergate salad** was first invented when instant pistachio pudding was introduced for the first time in the market.

“What’s there in a name?” is the right thing to say, when we talk about the Watergate salad. Though the name has the word salad affixed, it is not to the least a salad per se. It is a fluffy, green, nutty, conglomerate of pistachios, pineapple, cool whip, and miniature marshmallows. So, what triggered the sane men to christen it in total contrast to what it actually is, a dessert or a side dish.

Who doesn’t know about the infamous coup of the 1970s. The Watergate scandal had scripted a black chapter in the history of American politics. There is an uncanny resemblance between Watergate salad and the Watergate scandal. Let’s unearth the same in the below-given paragraphs.

### Watergate Salad - History

Now the question that strikes us hard is, why a salad such as this is called Watergate salad? Well, the straight and simple explanation for this is the accidental similarity in the release of the Nixon-Watergate coup and the introduction of the delicacy. However, there is more into this strange nomenclature. The dish calls for a topping over the top. President Nixon too, made attempts to cover the reality with interesting ‘toppings’. Hence, it was a way to mock the actions of the President. Perhaps that is why it is also known as the Shut the Gate Salad. Though it has a nasty counterpart tale, that doesn’t stop the dish from being on top of the list for baby showers, weddings, Thanksgiving ceremonies, Easter, and other get-together parties. It is also included under the name of Pistachio-Pineapple Delight on many menu cards. When a food writer wrote an article about the recipe for this newcomer dish, she named it Watergate Salad, and since then, this dish is known by this popular, yet uncommon name.

### Best Watergate Salad Recipe

**Ingredient List**  
  
Frozen Whipped cream (thawed)- 2 cups  
Pack of Pistachio Pudding Mix, 1  
Canned Crushed Pineapples, 18 oz.  
Mini Marshmallows, 1 cup  
Crushed Cashew Nuts, 1cup  
  
**Procedure**  
  
1\. Assemble all the ingredients except the cream, together in a large mixing bowl.  
**Note**: The pineapples are to be used with the juice. The cream should be smooth and soft.  
2\. Stir the content, until blended in a rich, thick, smooth lump. Now roll in the cream, and store in the refrigerator.  
3\. Garnish with nuts and enjoy!  
  
**NUTRITIONAL FACTS**  

Calories

Fats

Proteins

Carbohydrates

Sugar

180 - 200

8 g

0 - 1 g

25 - 30 g

18 - 20 g

  
This was all about the rich, heavenly tasty, mysterious Watergate salad. There isn’t any need to wait for a festive occasion to devour this great delicacy. It could just become a part of a Sunday dessert.