Creamy Grape Salad is a classic Midwestern recipe that everyone loves for a side dish. Bursting with juicy fresh grapes in a sweet and tangy cream cheese dressing that’s sprinkled with brown sugar and pecans. It’s makes the perfect easy side for a potluck, summer picnic or party!
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 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.
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!
What is Grape Salad Made of?
- Whole Grapes – A mixture of red and green seedless grapes. You could use all of one kind, but it’s fun to have both for color.
- Cream Cheese – The base of the dressing the grapes are tossed in.
- Sour Cream – Make sure the cream cheese is softened. It makes it so much easier to combine with the other ingredients. You could also use plain Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
- Vanilla Extract – For flavoring in the salad dressing.
- Sugars – We use both white and brown sugars in the dressings to add depth and flavor.
- Pecans – Add the perfect crunch in the salad. Walnuts could also be used if you don’t have pecans or prefer walnuts.
Pro Tip!
Use full fat cream cheese and sour cream to prevent the salad dressing from getting watery.
How do you Make Grape Salad
- 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 Grape Salad Ahead of Time?
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!
How Long does Grape Salad Last in the Refrigerator?
We recommend you make this a day before serving it. This salad taste best when it’s chilled.
Add the pecans and brown sugar on top right before serving.
Can I cut the grapes in half?
Yes! This is great if you having young children that will be eating this salad. It will prevent the grapes from being a choking hazard and it’s easier for everyone to eat!
Pro 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
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!
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!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Grape Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream or non-fat Greek Yogurt
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 pounds seedless red grapes
- 2 pounds seedless green grapes
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons 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.
Tips
- 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!
Antonia says
Hi Heather
I see 171 calories and 25 carbohydrates (&22 grams of sugar) in the Nutrition Information Box at the bottom of the recipe, just after “Tips”. Definitely NOT 74 and 15, so maybe it’s been updated?
According to the Serving Size indicator(on the right side of the page, below the Recipe Name Box), it says that the serving size for the recipe is 18!
Julie indicated that a pound of grapes is 2.5 cups. There are 4 cups of grapes in the recipe, which would be 10 cups of grapes total. Dividing 10 by 18 is about. 556, so a little more than half a cup would be 1 serving, if the number of servings identified is correct, which I assume that it is.
You could lower both carbs, sugar and calories a bit by substituting Splenda for the 1/2 c of sugar, but I’m not sure how much that will help. Grapes are naturally high in sugar, which bumps up calories and carb/sugar counts!
Obviously this would be a side dish… And a small serving at that if you are diabetic or worried about calories! It looks awesome, I want to try it, but it sure does look like desert!
I hope I helped you!
Ruth says
Your picture ingredients say cinnamon and not brown sugar.
Courtney says
Shoot, that needs to be fixed. Thank you for letting me know!
Sharon says
The people at church can’t wait till I bring it to a potluck.
Brenda Pomrenke says
What happened to the recipe for the light version with stevia? 3 tbls of stevia??
Julie Evink says
The back of the Stevia bag should have the equation for a substitution for sugar. Just follow that and then use the Greek Yogurt if you’d like to lighten it up.
Jackie says
Is there a secret to making the cream cheese, sour cream and sugar mix more creamy? Mine had small lumps in it. I heard it has to do with the order in which you mix things. Don’t get me wrong. It was till wonderful! How could this recipe not be good. Lumps or no lumps. 😃
Julie says
Make sure your cream cheese is completely softened at room temp. Cold cream cheese is your lump issue!
watercraft products says
I gotta bookmark this web site it seems extremely helpful handy
Julie says
Sounds good!
Deby says
This looks SO good, and am anxious to try. Question: in the instructions you say, “sprinkle with brown sugar blend” and I’m not sure what the blend is or if you just mean the brown sugar. Also, my family is not big on pecans or walnuts; so do you think almonds, peanuts, or cashews would be good? Thanks Julie.
Julie says
Yes, I’m not sure why it says brown sugar blend, it’s just plain brown sugar. I think any of those combinations would be a good nut substitute! Hope you enjoy it!
heather says
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!
Lynne says
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.
Julie Evink says
Glad I’m not the only Minnesotan that had never heard of it!
ChrisK says
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.
Julie Evink says
Really? I didn’t know it went by so many names and different areas put different twists on it!
Carole Blanchard says
Extremely hidden family recipes…
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
I have to admit, I have never heard of grape salad. It is very intriguing…I have to try this!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
“…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!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
I’ve never had grape salad, but this sounds really unique! I love the nuts on top.
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
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!
Danielle | The Creative Bite says
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!