Creamy Grape Salad With Cream Cheese

This creamy grape salad with cream cheese is a sweet, refreshing dish that’s always a hit at potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. Juicy red and green grapes are coated in a smooth cream cheese dressing and topped with crunchy pecans for the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and crunchy.

If you’re looking for an easy grape salad recipe, this one comes together in just minutes and can be made ahead of time, making it ideal for parties and barbecues with other favorites like Creamy Potato Salad With Eggs and this Italian Pasta Salad.

Grape Salad Ingredients

This recipe comes together with a handful of simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store!

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions. 

• White grapes – Use white seedless grapes so you don’t have to deal with any seeds.
• Red grapes – Also use seedless grapes here since we use the whole grapes in the salad.
• Sour cream – Use full-fat sour cream for the creamiest salad.
• Cream cheese – Don’t use the kind that comes in a tub; you need a block!
• Brown sugar – Sweetens the dressing and adds a hint of caramel flavor. Light or dark brown sugar works great.
• Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract will give you the best flavor.
• Pecans – Toasted pecans add crunch and nuttiness.

Variations

I love this salad as written but here are a few variations to try:

• Use different nuts. Instead of the pecans, try toasted, chopped walnuts.
• Add just one color of grape. Use just seedless green grapes or seedless red grapes in this recipe rather than a combination.
• Make it sweeter. If you want a sweeter salad, you can add additional brown or white sugar to the mixture.
• Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream. If you don’t have sour cream or wish to lighten things up a little, you can substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
• Mix in some chopped apples. For an even more crunchy texture, stir in some chopped apples of your choice along with the grapes.

How to Make Grape Salad

1. Prepare the Grapes: Wash the grapes thoroughly and remove them from the stems. Pat dry and set aside.

2. Start the Creamy Dressing: In a large bowl, add the cream cheese, sour cream, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

3. Mix: Beat the dressing until smooth and creamy.

4. Finish: Add the grapes and chopped pecans to the bowl and gently fold everything together until the grapes are evenly coated. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some ways to serve this simple recipe!

• Add an extra sprinkle of brown sugar or chopped pecans. To add a little bit of garnish, add a sprinkling of brown sugar on top before serving.
• On the potluck table – This side dish is great to bring to potlucks, because you can make it in advance and it’s interesting and delicious! It tastes great next to a grilled burger. (It’s a great picnic recipe too!)
• In a sandwich – Add a spoonful or two to your favorite chicken or ham sandwich for extra flavor and creaminess.
• Tucked into a wrap – Make a wrap with slices of grilled chicken and grape salad for a wonderful lunch option.

How to Store Grape Salad

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve chilled for the best flavor and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions