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Grape Salad
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Looking for an easy side for a potluck, summer picnic or party? This creamy Grape Salad is a classic recipe that everyone loves. Bursting with juicy fresh grapes in a sweet and tangy cream cheese dressing that’s sprinkled with brown sugar and pecans.
I first made grape salad a few years ago after there was a big rage all over social media about it. As in, people were sort of losing their minds about it – a salad with cream cheese and grapes?
Like other dessert salads, it’s apparently a popular side dish here in the Midwest but at the time I had missed the boat because I had never tried it despite growing up in Minnesota. I thought I had tried all of our famous potluck dishes, but I guess I was wrong! Grape salad was a new one for me.
I’ve had my fair share of cookie salad and snicker salad, but I’d never heard about grape salad. So, of course, I had to make it myself to see what all the fuss was about!
What is Grape Salad?
I think it’s more of a cross between fruit salad and a dessert salad. Although there are variations it’s usually a combination of fresh grapes, nuts and a creamy sweet dressing.
Despite being sweet, these types of salads are usually served as side dishes at potlucks and – you know what? – it’s really, really good! Creamy, cold and sweet and I just love the juicy grapes. Since making it a few years ago, it’s been one of my favorite potluck dishes – everyone always asks me for the recipe!
With summer just around the corner, this is a great recipe to add to the list! It’s easy to make and perfect for warm weather – I think you’re going to love it!
A Few Notes about the Ingredients
I love to use a combination of green and red grapes – the color sort of peeks through the dressing and it’s so pretty.
When you make it, make sure your cream cheese is softened. It makes it so much easier to combine with the other ingredients.
I like to use sour cream for this recipe, but you can also substitute plain Greek yogurt – it’s up to you!
We recommend using the full fat versions of cream cheese and sour cream. If you use low-fat options the dressing isn’t as creamy and can get watery.
Steps to Make Grape Salad!
What I love best about this recipe is how EASY it is. You can literally prepare it in just a few minutes, pop it in the fridge and then pull it out when you’re ready to serve it.
- First, wash and dry your grapes and make sure all of the stems are removed.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla together until smooth.
- Add the grapes and toss to coat them evenly in the cream cheese mixture.
- At this point, cover the bowl and chill the salad at least one hour or until you’re ready to serve it.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the brown sugar and pecans over the top.
Can I Make it Ahead?
Yes, in fact, it needs to chill at least a hour in the refrigerator before you serve it. You can make it up to one day in advance, just don’t add the nuts and brown sugar until you’re ready to serve it. Otherwise the nuts won’t be crunchy.
If you’re in a hurry, you can let it chill for at least one hour before serving – it’s better when it’s really cold!
Thank goodness for social media otherwise, I might have missed out on this Midwestern classic! It’s the perfect side dish for all the summer potlucks, BBQs and picnics. You have to try – I think you’ll love it!
Expert Tips!
- We recommend making sure the grapes are dry after rinsing them off so the dressing doesn’t get watery. Simply wash off grapes in a colander, then spread out on paper towels and blot of excess water.
- There is about 2 1/2 c. in a pound of grapes.
- If you have young kids feel free to cut the grapes in half so it’s safer for them to eat.
- Instead of chopped pecans you can substitute another nut like walnuts or you can even use chopped candy bars like Butterfingers or Snickers!
More Potluck Recipes
I love a good potluck and these are some other recipes I love to make and share with family and friends!
- Everyone always goes crazy for deviled eggs – they’re a classic!
- Broccoli salad is a perfect summer salad that’s quick and easy – you only need 15 minutes to make it!
- Traditional 7-layer salad is always a favorite, too! With layers of chopped lettuce, peas, celery, onions, bacon, cheese, and dressing it always disappears fast!
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Grape Salad
Classic salad that's bursting with juicy fresh grapes in a sweet and tangy cream cheese dressing that's sprinkled with brown sugar and pecans.
Print Pin RateServings: 18 servings
Calories: 171kcal
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 c. sour cream or non-fat Greek Yogurt
- 1/4 c. white sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 lbs seedless red grapes
- 2 lbs seedless green grapes
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp chopped pecans
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, yogurt, white sugar and vanilla until blended. Add grapes and toss to coat.
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with brown sugar blend and pecans just before serving.
Notes
- We recommend using the full fat versions of cream cheese and sour cream. If you use low-fat options the dressing isn’t as creamy and can get watery.
- We recommend making sure the grapes are dry after rinsing them off so the dressing doesn’t get watery. Simply wash off grapes in a colander, then spread out on paper towels and blot of excess water.
- There is about 2 1/2 c. in a pound of grapes.
- If you have young kids feel free to cut the grapes in half so it’s safer for them to eat.
- Instead of chopped pecans you can substitute another nut like walnuts or you can even use chopped candy bars like Butterfingers or Snickers!
Nutrition
Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 318IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg
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LEAVE A COMMENT
I saw nutrition facts, 15 carbs and 74 calories but I never saw a serving size. Can you tell me the serving size for those numbers? My mother-in-law LOVES grape salad but recently discovered she is diabetic and she is very precise with her carb/sugar counting. I would love to get good measurements and surprise her!
I’m in Minnesota & had never heard of this before & then when I was in Colorado a few weeks ago someone brought this to a gathering. It was wonderful.
Glad I’m not the only Minnesotan that had never heard of it!
Don’t feel bad about this salad going under your radar. I think it’s made the regional rounds for years, case in point, I’ve heard this called California salad, Napa Valley Salad, Sonoma Salad as well as here in Tennessee; Southern Grape Salad. Sometimes with the addition of chicken and/or broccoli. Suffice it to say, it’s a great basic salad that can go many directions.
Really? I didn’t know it went by so many names and different areas put different twists on it!
I have to admit, I have never heard of grape salad. It is very intriguing…I have to try this!
“…but mix them together and I was terrified.” Lol! I have to admit, hearing ‘grape salad’ I was a little terrified, too. But this looks amazing and nothing to be scared of. In fact, I want a giant bowl!
I’ve never had grape salad, but this sounds really unique! I love the nuts on top.
Grape salad is the perfect summer side dish! The version I’ve had before includes crushed butterfinger candy bars, which is delicious but not quite as good for you as this one. Looks fantastic!
Yum, I only recently tried this salad a couple years ago, so I missed the Minnesota salad bandwagon too apparently. But my oh my, is it delicious!