Grape Salad Recipe

Here’s an easy Grape Salad recipe that makes the perfect salad side dish! This recipe takes minutes to prepare and is a family favorite.

Grape Salad Recipe

I have to admit this is another southern salad that our nephew taught me how to make while he was up here this summer. He asked if I had tried southern grape salad before and I had no idea what he was talking about.

He told me I HAD TO TRY IT and made sure we had everything we needed for this epic salad.

I have to tell you this is my new favorite side salad to bring to events. It is so easy to make and tastes delicious. I might have enjoyed the leftover grape salad for breakfast the next day.

Ingredients

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients for making an epic Grape Salad! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

• Seedless Green Grapes and seedless red grapes
• Sour Cream
• Softened Cream Cheese
• Sugar
• Vanilla Extract
• Brown Sugar

Optional: Pecans, almonds, walnuts, chopped Heath bars or Snickers candy bars for added crunch

Equipment Needed

• Hand Mixer: I like using a hand mixer to ensure the cream cheese fully mixes with the sour cream and sugar and doesn’t leave behind cream cheese chunks. However, you can use a whisk to mix the sweet “dressing” if you don’t have this kitchen tool.
• Large Mixing Bowl: We are big fans of this glass batter bowl with a handle, as this feature makes it easy to mix ingredients and keep the mixing bowl steady on the counter.

 

How to make Grape Salad

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

Step 1 - wash and dry the grapes. If you are using both red and green grapes mix them together so they are evenly mixed.

Step 2 - Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla with a hand mixer until evenly mixed.

Step 3 - Fold in the grapes until you have a creamy grape salad.

Optional - Top with nuts and sprinkle with brown sugar for additional sweetness.

Refrigerate until you are ready to serve

Preparation and Storage

Make-Ahead: This Grape Salad is make-ahead-friendly; we recommend making it the day before serving so the flavors can meld together in your fridge. This fruit salad is best served chilled. 

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within three days.

Freezing/How to Freeze: While there’s nothing wrong food safety-wise about freezing this dessert salad, we don’t recommend freezing anything with cream cheese, as it turns grainy when thawed.

 

Recipe Variations

Substitutions: 

You can use any grape variety you enjoy. You can also mix equal parts of red and green grapes for fun pops of color.

Feel free to replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt or Cool Whip for a lighter, healthier version.

We’ve seen versions replacing brown sugar with toffee bits for more decadence.

Vegetarian Option: This fruit dessert salad is vegetarian-safe!

Vegan Option: Vegans can replace the sour cream and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives to make this recipe vegan.

Gluten-Free: The ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, making it safe for a gluten-free diet! 

Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The written recipe makes eight servings. Scale it up or down to your desired yield.

Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 59 grams of sugar per serving, some of which naturally comes from the grapes. Use sugar-free white and brown sugar substitutes to reduce the sugar content.

Tips for the Best Grape Salad

• Don’t forget to set the cream cheese on your kitchen counter before making this classic Southern salad! Bringing it to room temperature makes preparing the cream cheese mixture easier than when it’s firm and at fridge temperature.
• Pecans are a fantastic way to add crunchy texture to this sweet side dish. However, feel free to skip them if you’re serving loved ones who can’t eat nuts.

 

What to Serve with Grape Salad

This potluck-friendly Grape Salad is the perfect excuse to enjoy a sweet, fruit-filled dessert salad with any meal, and leftovers taste even better the day after! Here are some pairing suggestions to inspire your menu planning.

Sides: Broccoli Casserole, Apple Stuffing, Funeral Potatoes, BLT Pasta Salad, Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Air Fryer Baked Potato, Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream, Sweet Potato Casserole with Candied Yams, Southern Style Green Beans, CrockPot Bourbon Baked Beans, Chicken Salad

Main Dishes: Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken, Stovetop Meatloaf, Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers, CrockPot Rosemary Pork, Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings, CrockPot Macaroni & Cheese with Ham, CrockPot Salisbury Steak, CrockPot Ham & Cheese Grits

Desserts: Ooey-Gooey Butter Cake, Lemon Bars, Lemon Icebox Pie, Best Rice Krispie Treats, Bisquick Blueberry Cobbler, Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding, Bisquick Apple Cobbler, Bisquick Peach Cobbler, Molasses Cookies, Banana Bread, Classic Chocolate Brownies

Drinks: Coke Slushie, Red Robin Freckled Lemonade, CopyCat McDonald's Sweet Tea

When to Serve

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Potlucks
• Cookouts
• Family and Friend Gatherings
• Christmas Dinner
• Hot summer day salad

Great Side Dish Recipes

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Pear Salad

Green Jello Salad

Watermelon Salad

Orange Dreamsicle Salad

Broccoli Slaw

Black-Eyed Pea Salad

This sweet salad is one of our favorite salads to serve as a side dish for ham!

Do you love recipes? Check out our copy cat recipes, dessert recipes, and our Crock Pot Recipes

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