The Watergate salad that rose to fame in the 1970s is back in fashion thanks to the sweet side dish's surprising renaissance on TikTok.
Mysteriously named after the Watergate scandal, the vintage classic is a combination of pistachio pudding mix, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, whipped cream and chopped nuts.
Kelly McDuff, 26, from Dallas, Texas, went viral on TikTok last month after sharing how she made the “salad” for her office's Thanksgiving potluck.
“It's just a staple of our Thanksgiving,” she shared The New York Times. “So I thought it was a staple for everyone.”
“And then,” she added, “I realized it wasn't.”
Watergate Salad is a sweet side dish from the 70s that combines pistachio pudding mix, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, whipped cream and chopped nuts
Kelly McDuff, 26, from Dallas, Texas, went viral on TikTok last month after sharing how she made the “salad” for her office's Thanksgiving potluck
The video has been viewed 18.1 million times and received more than 56,000 responses, including many questions about her contribution.
“Kelly, what the hell is Watergate Salad,” someone asked.
“Watergate Salad is insane,” replied another.
Watergate Salad likely originated with the launch of Jell-O brand pistachio pudding mix in 1976, two years after President Richard Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal. NPR reported.
It was originally called Pineapple Pistachio Delight, but Kraft – the parent company of Jell-O – later added marshmallows to the recipe and renamed it the Watergate Salad in 1993.
There were rumors that the salad was served at the Watergate Hotel restaurant, but there was no evidence of that, according to NPR.
The outlet deduced that the name is likely derived from the Watergate Cake, which is also made with a pistachio pudding mix.
Watergate Salad – a relative of the Ambrosia Salad – is best known in the South and Midwest, where families serve it for dinner along with ham and turkey.
McDuff reported in a follow-up video that her local grocery store was almost sold out of Jell-O's pistachio pudding mix — the side dish's main ingredient
The viral intrigue surrounding the mint green concoction has contributed to its recent resurgence, as curious foodies started making it for themselves.
McDuff reported in a follow up video posted a few days before Thanksgiving that her local grocery store was almost sold out of Jell-O's pistachio pudding mix — the side dish's main ingredient.
Tara Candelario, 34, was inspired to make a large bowl of Watergate Salad for her family after seeing it trending on TikTok.
She served it to her in-laws, who are not from the United States, and filmed them hilarious reactions to the bizarre side.
Tara Candelario, 34, was inspired to make a large bowl of Watergate Salad for her in-laws and film their hilarious reactions to the bizarre side
Influencer Remi Cruz, 27, also put the Watergate Salad to the test in a recent video, but despite her initial optimism, she wasn't a fan
“No,” she said after taking a bite. 'I hated it. It's very sweet, and I feel like the flavors and textures don't go well together at all.'
'Why is it green?' a family member asked before taking a bite and bursting out laughing.
“They said it was 'not bad,' but I mean, they went back for a third,” Candelario told The Times, adding that they also took home leftovers.
Influencer Remi Cruz, 27, also put the Watergate salad to the test in a recent videobut despite her initial optimism, she wasn't a fan.
She took a bite, grimaced and shook her head before dropping her spoon on the counter.
“No,” she said. 'I hated it. It's very sweet, and I feel like the flavors and textures don't go well together at all…I'm never going to make this again.”
Kyra Oriana had a different opinion after trying the dish, which she described as “super sweet” and tasted “like sugar cookies”
“Okay, y'all want to know my honest opinion?” she asked. 'It's not that bad'
Ashlee Harrison was admittedly shocked that the dish her grandmother forced her to eat growing up went viral
Kyra Oriana, however, had a different view try the dishwhich she described as “super sweet” and tasted “like sugar cookies.”
“Okay, y'all want to know my honest opinion?” she asked, licking the mixture off her finger. 'It is not that bad.'
Others who grew up eating the weird side were admittedly stunned that it was suddenly popular on TikTok.
“I'm blown away that the dish my grandmother forced me to eat my entire life is going viral,” Ashlee Harrison wrote. video.
“I've been calling it 'the green stuff' since I was four years old.” I am shocked.