Go Back
Easy Grape Salad

Easy Grape Salad

Craving something refreshing and sweet? The Easy Grape Salad combines juicy grapes with a creamy dressing, making it the perfect easy weeknight side dish. This delightful salad is a must-try for your next gathering!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 230

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 pounds red seedless grapes rinsed and drained well, about 10 cups
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Chef's Knife

Method
 

  1. In a large mixing bowl, start by adding the cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the mixture together until it's smooth and thick. This should take about three minutes. You want it to be creamy without any lumps, so be patient and keep mixing!
  2. Once your creamy mixture is ready, it’s time to incorporate the grapes. Gently fold them into the cream cheese mixture using a rubber spatula. You want to be careful during this step to avoid squishing the grapes. Ensure they’re evenly coated without breaking them apart.
  3. Now that everything is mixed, it’s time to let it chill. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or keep it in the mixing bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour. If you have the time, letting it sit overnight allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
  4. Just before serving, sprinkle the top with light brown sugar and chopped pecans. This not only adds a nice texture but also a sweet, crunchy topping that everyone will love. It’s the finishing touch that elevates your salad!
  5. Enjoy your Easy Grape Salad chilled. If you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just note that the grapes may start to lose their crispness as time goes on.

Notes

  • Grapes: You can use all red grapes (my favorite!), all green, or a mixture of the two based on your personal preferences. Leave them whole.
  • Cream Cheese and Sour Cream: I used full-fat cream cheese and sour cream because I wanted a nice, thick mixture. Low-fat alternatives have higher water content so if you use low-fat just be aware that your “dressing” could be thinner or slightly more watery.
  • Lighter Alternative: Use yogurt in place of the sour cream.
  • Brown Sugar Topping: You can sprinkle the brown sugar and pecans before chilling, and the brown sugar will sort of dissolve into the mixture (SO GOOD), but be sure to give it a stir before serving if you do this!
  • Make-Ahead: Chill the mixture for at least 1 hour before serving and up to overnight.
  • Storage: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After that, the grapes will lose their crispness and the mixture will get watery.