Creamy Grape Salad: Refreshing, Easy, and Crowd Favorite!

This Creamy Grape Salad recipe is the perfect side dish for any occasion! Made with fresh grapes, cream cheese, and a crunchy topping, this creamy fruit salad is refreshing, easy to make, and a crowd favorite! Perfect to serve at potlucks, picnics, BBQ’s, and any other gathering!

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

If you’ve been to a picnic or potluck, chances are, someone has brought their version of this creamy grape fruit salad. It is one of those old-fashioned, classic recipes everyone enjoys because of the refreshing tastes, simplicity to prepare, and the fact that people of all ages happily grab a scoop or two on their plates. Now, this isn’t your typical “salad” made with lettuce, however, its quite similar to my Strawberry Pretzel Salad and Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Salad, so we’ll keep the name!

WHAT IS GRAPE SALAD?

While I tried to track down the origin of who created grape salad, I was led on several different paths with no clear answer. The only direction I was able to find was that it is a dish that originated in the Midwest and has been a staple at BBQ’s since before 1950. Typically, a recipe for grape salad will include a combination of grapes, both red and green, sweetened cream cheese or a creamy dressing, additional fruits such as berries, apples, or pineapple, and nuts or pecans. Once combined, you get a mixture of textures and a dish that is both sweet, tangy, creamy, and has a slight crunch throughout.

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

CREAMY GRAPE SALAD INGREDIENT NOTES

With just eight ingredients needed to make this grape salad dessert, you’ll definitely want to add it to your next menu! Below are some notes about the ingredients needed.

• Cream Cheese– this helps everything to thicken up a bit and adds to the tanginess of the overall salad. Opt for full fat cream cheese as it adds more flavor and make sure to use softened cream cheese before combining.
• Sour Cream– adds creaminess to the cream cheese mixture. You can also use vanilla or plain Greek yogurt in place.
• Sugar– granulated sugar adds to the overall sweetness of this easy grape salad.
• Vanilla– opt for pure vanilla extract versus imitation as it adds more flavor.
• Grapes– this brings the crisp, juicy addition to the salad. Using both seedless green grapes and red grapes bring a color contrast that makes the appearance prettier.
• Brown Sugar– this sweetens the nuts and adds a visual addition to the topping.
• Pecans– this adds the nutty crunch throughout. You can also use chopped walnuts or chopped pecans if desired.

Exact Ingredients Needed

• 8 oz cream cheese *softened
• 1 cup sour cream *or vanilla/plain Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 lb red grapes *seedless grapes
• 2 lb green grapes *seedless grapes
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups pecans *chopped

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

HOW TO MAKE GRAPE SALAD

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy using an electric hand mixer.
2. Add in the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
3. Fold in the grapes and one cup of the chopped pecans.
4. Spread mixture into serving dish, spreading evenly.
5. Sprinkle the brown sugar on top and the remaining chopped pecans.
6. Chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour and serve!

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS

This red and green grape salad is easy to change up depending on desired tastes. Here are some great options:

• Nuts: use walnuts or almonds in place of the pecans.
• Sour Cream: you can use plain or vanilla Greek yogurt in place if desired.
• Drizzle honey or maple syrup on top just before serving.
• Toasted coconut is a great topping addition and adds a tropical taste.
• Whipped cream cheese works, although it may make the green and red grape salad a little less thick in texture.
• Add in about one cup of chopped candy bars for a sweeter candy addition. Heath Bar, Crunch, and Snickers are great options.
• If serving this to little kids, you slice the grapes in half prior to adding to cut down on the safety hazard.

PREPARING GRAPE SALAD WITH PECANS AHEAD OF TIME

• If you have extra time, this salad is best when made to chill overnight in the fridge for 24 hours. However, you don’t want to make this any earlier than about 2 days as the grapes soften and the juices make it a little too liquidy.
• Prepare as directed and cover with plastic wrap in fridge until ready to serve.
• Dairy does not freeze well, so we do not recommend freezing leftovers.