Name: 5 Minute Pistachio Salad Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 20 ounces pineapple tidbits ( (or chunks)); 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant Pistachio Pudding; 8 ounces Cool-Whip ( (lite works too)); 2 bananas (sliced); 2 cups mini marshmallows

This 5 Minute Pistachio Salad, honestly takes five minutes, if that. It is so fast, and full of delicious flavor. You are going to love how simple and delicious this side dish or dessert is. It is so sweet and light, you could serve it as either one.

This 5 Minute Pistachio Salad Recipe is seriously the easiest side dish to throw together. Light, fluffy and perfect for summer (or any time of year, really.) We often have it during the holidays.

I like to serve it around Christmas time, because I love the stunning, light green color. It is so easy to make and throw together, and has the most amazing flavor, with little bits of pistachio.

You could even serve this as a dessert, because it is so sweet and yummy.

You will want to try our delicious Strawberry Jello Fluff Salad. It’s a family favorite at most parties!

Ingredients needed to make Pistachio Jello Salad

Ingredients needed for this yummy jello salad:

20 ounces pineapple tidbits (or chunks)
1 (3.4 ounce) box instant Pistachio Pudding
8 ounces Cool-Whip (lite works too)
2 bananas sliced
2 cups mini marshmallows

How to make five minute pistachio jello salad:

Step 1: Combine the instant pistachio pudding mix, with the pineapple juice that you drained from the pineapple. Stir until well combined and fully incorporated.

Step 2: Fold in the whipped cream, until fully combined.

*I used a rubber spatula for this step. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl, because the instant pudding is thick and sugary, and difficult to fully mix in.

Instant Pudding, Pineapple juice and whip cream mixed together in a bowl

Step 3: Add your pineapple, marshmallows, bananas, and other favorite jello pudding salad, condiments.

Marshmallows on top of Pistachio Jello Salad

Step 4: Mix it all together and Enjoy!

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Many people also like to add:

Mandarin oranges
Extra pistachio bits
Maraschino cherries
Shredded coconut
Fresh apples, chopped
Any other favorite fruit toppings

Does the pistachio pudding have to be instant?

For this particular recipe, yes the pistachio pudding does need to be instant.

Because you are not making the pudding as directed on the package, this recipe will only work with instant pudding.

You combine the pudding mixture with pineapple juice, not milk, so it will have a little bit of a different consistency.

We have never tried this not using instant, but because of this particular recipe, instant pudding is the only pudding mix that will work with this recipe.

If you love this 5 minute pistachio salad, you’ll want to try our grandma’s 5 cup creamy fruit salad. It has a secret ingredient.

Serves: 6

5 Minute Pistachio Salad Recipe

This 5 Minute Pistachio Salad, honestly takes five minutes, if that. It is so fast, and full of delicious flavor. You are going to love how simple and delicious this side dish or dessert is.

Prep Time 5 mins

Total Time 5 mins

Print Pin

Ingredients

20 ounces pineapple tidbits (or chunks)
1 (3.4 ounce) box instant Pistachio Pudding
8 ounces Cool-Whip (lite works too)
2 bananas sliced
2 cups mini marshmallows

Instructions

Drain pineapple, pour pineapple juice into large bowl.
Pour pudding into the juice and mix well.
Fold the Cool-Whip into the pudding.
Add pineapple tidbits, bananas, and marshmallows.
Stir together gently.

Notes

Other Mix In Ideas:

Mandarin oranges
Extra pistachio bits
Maraschino cherries
Shredded coconut
Fresh apples, chopped
Any other favorite fruit toppings

Nutrition

Calories: 262 kcal · Carbohydrates: 62 g · Protein: 2 g · Fat: 2 g · Saturated Fat: 1 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 6 mg · Sodium: 273 mg · Potassium: 302 mg · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 49 g · Vitamin A: 139 IU · Vitamin C: 12 mg · Calcium: 60 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

Mixing Bowl
Rubber spatula

Recipe Details

Course: Dessert, Salad

Cuisine: American

5 Minute Pistachio Salad in a single serving glass bowl

This post was included in our 10 of the EASIEST side dishes for dinner video – for more inexpensive and delicious recipes like this one, click here to check it out!

Questions & Reviews

Beth says:

This is the best, have you ever tossed nuts (not sure which kind)into the mix? My mom used to make it like that and it is soooooooo yummy! Memories......

Hannah @HannahHandmade says:

YUMMMY! I love anything like fluff with marshmallows in it... I am your newest follower! Come follow me? :)

{www.hannahhandmade.blogspot.com}

Mrsfarrellhob says:

In my family, this is called Green Stuff...and it is LEGEN (wait for it) DARY!!!!! I recco that you don't drain the pineapple - the juices help to dissolve some of the granularity from the pudding mix.

Bobbie says:

I soooo love this stuff, we use to make it all the time when i was younger. I have great memories attached to this recipe :D

Susan says:

I recall a version with toasted chopped pecans and halved maraschino cherries! This is too sweet to be a side dish, but to me it's a wonderful summer dessert!

Unknown says:

My kids love this, and it is easy for them to make themselves, just dump everything in a bowl and mix. Sometimes, we add a can of cocktail fruit to it.

Unknown says:

Just got this same recipe from a friend but no instructions. Came across your site, with the exact items, and you finished the puzzle (to keep or not keep the pineapple juice!). I never made this before but it was yummy. I added coconut flakes to mine and an extra 8 oz can of pineapple (w/o extra juice). I could def see how cherries or fruit cocktail would be good to. Thanks!

BrittanyP says:

I make this, but I add a can of Mandarin oranges as well and double it cause it always goes WAY to fast..... YUM

pvc1552 says:

we call it Watergate Salad, I put mandarin orange segments in it, and garnish with maraschino cherries to give it a pop of color

carynxlee says:

Do you just mix the pudding mix with everything or make the pudding before hand then mix?

Camille says:

Just dump the dry pudding mix in- don't follow the directions on the pudding box. :)

Unknown says:

My mom adds diced maraschino cherries... YUM!

Unknown says:

My mom adds diced maraschino cherries... YUM!

Gerry says:

Can it be made a day ahead?

Momma Cyd says:

It can be made a day ahead, but the bananas will start to turn brown.

Mary says:

I used to make this every Easter, called it Mary's secret green surprise, just combined 1 can of crushed pineapple in its own juice with the instant pudding and add a large container of lite cool whip, so easy and delicious

Gwen Gentry says:

This is Watergate Salad that I have made for 30 years

Alannah says:

Can you leave bananas out and still be creamy?

Momma Cyd says:

Yes, you can totally leave out the bananas.

Betty says:

Ewwwwww, NO BANANAS! The very thought of bananas makes my stomach turn. We have made this dish for over 40 years.. DO NOT need the bananas.. oh my.

Join The Discussion

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Beth says:

This is the best, have you ever tossed nuts (not sure which kind)into the mix? My mom used to make it like that and it is soooooooo yummy! Memories......
Hannah @HannahHandmade says:

YUMMMY! I love anything like fluff with marshmallows in it... I am your newest follower! Come follow me? :)

{www.hannahhandmade.blogspot.com}
Mrsfarrellhob says:

In my family, this is called Green Stuff...and it is LEGEN (wait for it) DARY!!!!! I recco that you don't drain the pineapple - the juices help to dissolve some of the granularity from the pudding mix.
Bobbie says:

I soooo love this stuff, we use to make it all the time when i was younger. I have great memories attached to this recipe :D
Susan says:

I recall a version with toasted chopped pecans and halved maraschino cherries! This is too sweet to be a side dish, but to me it's a wonderful summer dessert!
Unknown says:

My kids love this, and it is easy for them to make themselves, just dump everything in a bowl and mix. Sometimes, we add a can of cocktail fruit to it.
Unknown says:

Just got this same recipe from a friend but no instructions. Came across your site, with the exact items, and you finished the puzzle (to keep or not keep the pineapple juice!). I never made this before but it was yummy. I added coconut flakes to mine and an extra 8 oz can of pineapple (w/o extra juice). I could def see how cherries or fruit cocktail would be good to. Thanks!
BrittanyP says:

I make this, but I add a can of Mandarin oranges as well and double it cause it always goes WAY to fast..... YUM
pvc1552 says:

we call it Watergate Salad, I put mandarin orange segments in it, and garnish with maraschino cherries to give it a pop of color
carynxlee says:

Do you just mix the pudding mix with everything or make the pudding before hand then mix?
Camille says:

Just dump the dry pudding mix in- don't follow the directions on the pudding box. :)
Unknown says:

My mom adds diced maraschino cherries... YUM!
Unknown says:

My mom adds diced maraschino cherries... YUM!
Gerry says:

Can it be made a day ahead?
Momma Cyd says:

It can be made a day ahead, but the bananas will start to turn brown.
Mary says:

I used to make this every Easter, called it Mary's secret green surprise, just combined 1 can of crushed pineapple in its own juice with the instant pudding and add a large container of lite cool whip, so easy and delicious
Gwen Gentry says:

This is Watergate Salad that I have made for 30 years
Alannah says:

Can you leave bananas out and still be creamy?
Momma Cyd says:

Yes, you can totally leave out the bananas.
Betty says:

Ewwwwww, NO BANANAS! The very thought of bananas makes my stomach turn. We have made this dish for over 40 years.. DO NOT need the bananas.. oh my.

5 Minute Pistachio Salad Recipe

Ingredients needed for this yummy jello salad:

How to make five minute pistachio jello salad:

Many people also like to add:

Does the pistachio pudding have to be instant?