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This Grape Salad is the best side dish for any spring or summer menu, and in my family, we think it’s even better as an easy dessert. With just 7 ingredients, it’s a fruity recipe that’s perfect to make in advance and a big hit with kids!
Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“We made it for the first time yesterday, and took it to a potluck dinner! Very nice indeed! I shared your recipe with 5 friends!”
— Ieva
This Grape Salad recipe is not only fresh and delicious but also easy to whip up in about 15 minutes using one bowl. I remember my aunt making this salad for me as a little girl, and now I make it for my kids during the warm weather months. For my version, you can choose a combination of red and green grapes, or change it up to fit the theme of your gathering.
Whether it’s for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or Labor Day, or a regular potluck, this grape salad is easy to transport and deserves a place at the table! Every bite is creamy, with a hint of caramel sweetness from the brown sugar. And when it comes to weeknight cooking, I usually serve it alongside Easy Chicken Pot Pie and some delicious Skillet Cornbread.
Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This reminded me of a salad my grandmother used to make. I made this yesterday for family dinner and it tasted the exact same.”
— MacKenzie
Why You’ll Love this Recipe for Grape Salad
- Simple 7 Ingredient Recipe: Measure and mix is all you have to do for this delicious and refreshing grape salad recipe.
- Irresistibly Fresh and Easy to Prep Ahead: When Spring rolls around, I am ready for fresh fruit and crisp salads! I make a big batch of this creamy grape salad to keep in the fridge to enjoy throughout the week.
- Make it a Meal: Get creative with this recipe and add some sliced grilled chicken or shrimp over the top for a complete dish.
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese: Soften the cream cheese to room temperature so it is easy to mix! No time? Place the block of cream cheese on a microwave-safe plate and add 30 seconds to the timer.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream adds the tanginess that balances the grapes with brown sugar.
- Sugar and Vanilla: These two give it the dessert taste you crave when you think of a fresh fruit salad.
- Red and Green Grapes: Rinsed and dried, you can slice some of the grapes in half if you’d like to – but keep most of them whole so the cream cheese and sour cream mixture does not get too runny.
- Brown Sugar and Chopped Pecans: Add one or both of these to garnish the serving dish. Simply gorgeous and delish too!
Ingredients
How to Make this Grape Salad Recipe
✱ Below shows step-by-step photos and instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.
Step 1 | Mix the Creamy Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat the ingredients together with a mixer until smooth and fluffy.
Step 2 | Add the Grapes
Wash and pat dry the grapes so the creamy mixture does not get watered down. Stir in the cream cheese mixture, then fold in half the pecans for a nutty addition.
Now you can cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill it for at least an hour.
Step 3 | Garnish and Serve
When you are ready to serve the easy grape salad recipe, top the salad with the brown sugar, the rest of the pecans, and a few grapes.
Now, sit back and watch that bowl of grape salad with cream cheese, sour cream, pecans, and brown sugar disappear in a hurry!
Variations:
- Add other fruits. Match the fruits to the season- like blueberries for a patriotic twist or strawberries and red grapes for Valentine’s Day.
- Try using some dried fruit. for even more color, texture, and flavor.
- Use pre-whipped cream cheese for even easier preparation. Just use a 12 or 16-ounce container.
- Lighten it Up: Skip the sour cream and use Greek yogurt instead.
- Swap the pecans for another nut. Toasted walnuts or even pistachios are both delicious.
Expert Tips
- Toast the Pecans: Bake pecans for 5 to 8 minutes at 350°F for an extra nutty good flavor. Cool before adding them to the grape salad.
- Pat the Grapes Very Dry: Don’t forget to dry the grapes well after you rinse them so you do not have a runny salad.
- Stir Gently: When you fold in any ingredients, mix until just combined using a spatula in a gentle motion. That way you do not break the fruits.
- Make Individual Servings for a Party: Serve in individual dishes for a beautiful presentation. Then you can garnish each one!
- If you are serving this grape salad to Young Kids or Toddlers, cut grapes in half or fourths.
- Making this Salad in Advance is a Great Idea, just top with the brown sugar and pecans right before serving so they don’t dissolve or become soggy.
- Always Chill the Salad for at Least 1 Hour. This helps the texture to set and flavors to marinate.
Storage
When storing this fresh and creamy fruit salad, keep it refrigerated until time to serve (or in the cooler!). Store it covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an air-tight container. Just keep the pecans and brown sugar for the garnish in a separate container until you are ready to serve.
If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just give a fresh stir before serving.
I do not recommend freezing this recipe as it will get runny and might separate on thawing. Keep this one fresh!
What to Serve with this Grape Salad
The sky is the limit here since this grape salad with cream cheese can be served as a side dish or a dessert. I even like to serve it on a holiday like Easter or Memorial Day. Here are some of my best recommendations:
Frequently Asked Questions
Good news! This recipe is gluten-free with one adjustment. As long as you use a gf vanilla, this recipe is safe!
It sure can! In fact, it needs to chill for at least an hour. So go ahead and make this a day ahead, and garnish when ready to serve.
You bet. You can substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt! Greek yogurt is a tad healthier and is loaded with protein, too.
Yes. It can be either a yummy start to your meal or a delicious fresh dessert to round out any meal.
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Grape Salad Recipe
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Ingredients
- 8 ounce block cream cheese - softened (room temperature)
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 pounds red seedless grapes - rinsed and patted dry
- 2 pounds green seedless grapes - rinsed and patted dry
- ¼ cup brown sugar - packed
- ½ cup chopped pecans - divided, for extra flavor used toasted pecans
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, add cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat together, with an electric hand mixer or using the paddle attachment on the stand mixer, until it is combined together and fluffy.
- Add red and green grapes and mix until they are fully coated. Fold in half of the pecans. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Just before serving top with brown sugar, remaining pecans, and a few grapes for garnish.
Notes
Storage:
Store this grape salad in the fridge for up to 4 days. Give it a nice stir when you’re ready to enjoy.Toasted Pecans
For extra added flavor toast the pecans: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Spread pecan halves out in a single layer. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally and keeping a close eye on the nuts. Remove from the oven, let cool, and then chop for the salad.- Pat Dry: Don’t forget to dry the grapes well after you rinse them so you do not have a runny salad.
- Fold in: When you fold in any ingredients, you mix until just combined using a spatula and a gentle motion. That way you do not break the fruits.
- Individual Servings: Serve in individual dishes for a beautiful presentation. Then you can garnish each one!
Wow! This looks AMAZING. I bet the grapes taste amazing with sour cream and cream cheese, thanks for this recipe!
We made it for the first time yesterday, and took it to a potluck dinner! Very nice indeed! I shared your recipe with 5 friends! 🙂
This was so unique and refreshing! Will make again.
This reminded me of a salad my grandmother used to make. I made this yesterday for family dinner and it tasted the exact same.
Grape salad is always a hit with my family. I like to make it for get togethers because it seems to be a favorite for dessert. Everyone loves this recipe.