Is grape salad a dessert or a salad? It just might be both! This Midwestern potluck salad recipe is sweet enough to serve as an after-dinner treat, but refreshing enough to pair with sandwiches or meaty main dishes.
In this salad, the grapes burst with a delicate juiciness that appeals to kids and adults alike. Sour cream balances the rich dressing with some sweet-tart flavor, while a hint of vanilla gives it an elusive quality—you know, the kind that makes people ask if there’s a secret ingredient in there!
Ingredients for Grape Salad
- Grapes: A combination of red and green grapes creates a vibrant contrast of colors. We usually leave the grapes whole, but you can cut them in half to make them easier for kids (and adults) to enjoy.
- Cream cheese: It’s much easier to work with softened cream cheese, so let the package stand on the counter for about 10 minutes. If you need to soften cream cheese fast, microwave it in five-second intervals for about 20 seconds.
- Sour cream: Tangy sour cream adds a nice counterbalance to the sweet elements in the dressing.
- Pecans: We usually make this salad with chopped pecans, but you can use other nuts, like walnuts.
- Sugar: There are two types of sugar in this recipe. Granulated sugar gives the dressing its sweet edge. A sprinkle of brown sugar on top of the salad adds a caramel finish.
Directions
Step 1: Make the creamy dressing
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla until they’re blended.
Editor’s Tip: You can whisk the dressing by hand, but a hand mixer will ensure that the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
Step 2: Add the grapes, and chill
Add the grapes, and toss them in the dressing to coat.
Transfer the salad to a serving bowl. Cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Step 3: Garnish and serve
Sprinkle the grape salad with brown sugar and pecans just before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Mix in chopped candy bars: Taste of Home culinary assistant Mark Neufang suggests garnishing the grape salad with chopped Snickers or Heath bars for extra crunch and sweetness. Who wouldn’t welcome the addition of chocolate?
- Add other fruits: Give the salad a variety of colors and textures by including other fruits like apples, pears or strawberries.
- Toast the nuts: Try toasting the nuts for extra flavor. Once cooled, add the nuts to the salad as directed.
- Include graham crackers: Add a crushed graham cracker topping instead of (or in addition to) the brown sugar coating.
How to Store Grape Salad
It’s best to prepare this recipe for grape salad the same day you plan to serve it. The grapes can become soggy and the nuts will lose their crunchy edge. The leftover salad will still taste great, though, so don’t toss it! It’s good for up to four days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can always repurpose the salad by adding cooked chicken to turn it into an easy chicken salad.
Grape Salad Tips
Can you make this grape salad recipe without cream cheese or sour cream?
There are several ways to tweak this grape salad recipe to remove the cream cheese or sour cream. Mark suggests using mascarpone cheese in place of the cream cheese. Mascarpone is lighter and slightly sweeter, which would pair beautifully with the grapes in this salad. To replace the sour cream, look to tart, thick Greek yogurt. You could also use homemade yogurt, strained overnight in cheesecloth or several layers of paper towels.
Can you make dairy-free grape salad?
Use vegan cream cheese and sour cream to make a dairy-free grape salad. If you’re looking for a different dairy-free substitute, Mark says to look to silken tofu. When whipped in a blender or food processor, this type of tofu takes on a consistency similar to sour cream.
What’s the best way to serve grape salad?
Grape salad is a refreshing side dish for meaty entrees or sandwiches like layered picnic loaves. For a quick lunch, serve it on a bed of crisp lettuce, or pack it inside pita bread. It’s also great on its own as a snack or dessert.
