This Grape Salad is an easy fruit salad with a creamy dressing that’s always a crowd-pleaser and perfect for potlucks. Juicy red and green grapes combine with brown sugar, crunchy pecans or walnuts, cream cheese, and sour cream for a simple, nostalgic side dish.
EASY GRAPE SALAD RECIPE
This classic side dish has been enjoyed for decades. I first made this creamy grape salad in 2011 and it remains one of my favorite warm-weather recipes. It’s quick to prepare, crowd-friendly, and great to bring to potlucks or family gatherings.
Recipes that stand the test of time do so because they’re simple, comforting, and reliable. This grape salad is one of those recipes — familiar flavors that pair beautifully and require minimal effort.
INGREDIENTS
- WHOLE GRAPES – This recipe uses four cups (about 4 lbs total in the recipe card below) of grapes. Any seedless variety works; I like a mix of red and green grapes for color. Rinse and pat dry before using.
- CREAM CHEESE – Softened cream cheese forms the base of the dressing. It balances the sweetness and adds richness. Low-fat cream cheese can be used for a lighter version.
- SOUR CREAM – Sour cream gives the dressing a tangy finish. Plain Greek yogurt or vanilla yogurt can be substituted if you prefer.
- VANILLA EXTRACT – Adds a warm, sweet note to the dressing.
- WHITE AND BROWN SUGAR – White sugar is mixed into the creamy dressing; light brown sugar is sprinkled on top for sweetness and a touch of caramel flavor. Adjust the sugar to taste depending on how ripe your grapes are.
- PECANS OR WALNUTS – Chopped nuts add a crunchy contrast to the tender grapes and creamy dressing.
Although it’s called a “salad,” this dish is more of a creamy fruit side or dessert-style salad — similar in spirit to classic recipes like strawberry pretzel salad or other retro potluck favorites. The sour cream and cream cheese dressing may sound unusual, but the combination is what makes this recipe so good.
STORAGE
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Over time the sugar will draw moisture from the grapes and create a little liquid; give the salad a gentle stir before serving.
OTHER SALAD RECIPES
- Crunchy Pea Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Corn, Avocado, Tomato Salad
- Grape and Feta Kale Salad
- Frito Corn Salad
- Chicken Salad
- Red Potato Salad
OTHER FRUIT RECIPES
- Easy Fruit Dip
- Poppy Seed Fruit Salad
- Grape Walnut Salad
- Peach Cobbler Recipe
- Fruit, Avocado, and Feta Salad
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Fruit Pizza
- Snickers Apple Salad
- Apple Crisp Pizza
Grape Salad
Christy Denney
10 mins
10 mins
12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs green seedless grapes
- 2 lbs red seedless grapes
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions
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Rinse grapes and pat dry. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sour cream, white sugar, and vanilla until smooth. You can use an electric mixer or whisk by hand.
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Add the grapes to the cream cheese mixture and stir until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving bowl.
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Sprinkle brown sugar over the top, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, sprinkle chopped nuts on top.
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Tip: Substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream for a lighter version. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
