Creamy Grape Salad

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 20 min.

Makes

24 servings

Updated: Nov. 23, 2023
Everyone raves when I bring this refreshing, creamy grape salad to potlucks. For a special finishing touch, sprinkle it with brown sugar and pecans. —Marge Elling, Jenison, Michigan

Ingredients

  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 pounds seedless red grapes
  • 2 pounds seedless green grapes
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons chopped pecans

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla until blended. Add grapes and toss to coat.
  2. Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans just before serving.

Creamy Grape Salad Tips

How can I make grape salad without cream cheese or sour cream?

If you want to tweak this grape salad recipe by cutting the cream cheese or sour cream, try swapping in mascarpone cheese for the cream cheese. Mascarpone is creamy, lighter and slightly sweeter, which would pair beautifully with the grapes in this salad. You could also use plain yogurt, strained overnight in cheesecloth or several layers of paper towel, in place of the cream cheese. As a healthier option for sour cream, try tart, thick Greek yogurt. If dairy-free is what you’re after, use a vegan cream cheese or sour cream. Silken tofu, whipped up in a blender or food processor, is also a great dairy-free substitute for sour cream.

What's the best way to serve grape salad?

Grape salad is a nice, refreshing side dish to a main entrée or picnic sandwich, well chilled and served on a bed of crisp lettuce or even just on its own. It can also be a great snack or quick lunch or dessert.

What else can I add to this grape salad recipe?

Try toasting the nuts before garnishing the salad for extra flavor. For a unique twist, garnish the grape salad with chopped Snickers or Heath bars for a little extra crunch and sweetness to contrast to the grapes (who wouldn’t welcome the addition of chocolate?).

Research contributed by Mark Neufang, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 131 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.