Grape Salad

This Easy Grape Salad recipe is filled with fresh grapes and crunchy walnuts coated in a sweetened cream cheese mixture. Ready in just 15 minutes plus the time it takes to chill.

Grape Salad Recipe

When I first heard of grape salad, I was kind of confused. Is it a salad, is it a fruit salad? I wasn’t quite sure… however, once I tasted it, I didn’t care what kind of salad it was, I just wanted it in my tummy!

So, grab your grapes and get ready to make the greatest Grape Salad this summer! Juicy grapes and crunchy walnuts are coated in a cream cheese dressing. 

Another Midwestern gem, this kid-friendly “salad,” is similar to my Watergate Salad and my Strawberry Pretzel Salad, where maybe it is more of a dessert or sweet side dish rather than a meal starter.

Grape Salad Ingredients

• Red and green seedless grapes: I love the combination of red and green grapes for the contrast of colors. Feel free to use all red seedless grapes or all green seedless grapes if you prefer. Leave them whole or consider quartering them for kids. Note: 1 pound of seedless grapes contains about 2 ½ cups of grapes, so you will need about 1.5 – 2 pounds of grapes.
• Cream cheese: Adds a rich, creamy tang that complements the sweetness of the grapes. Make sure that your cream cheese is completely softened to room temperature, otherwise the salad will turn out lumpy. I recommend using full fat cream cheese for the richest flavor but low fat cream cheese will work.
• Plain Greek yogurt: While some recipes call for sour cream, I prefer using Greek yogurt because it gives this salad a boost of protein, probiotics and calcium. You can also use vanilla or honey vanilla yogurt for extra taste and a little sweetness, depending on your preference. Keep in mind that any flavor other than plain yogurt will make the grape salad sweeter, so you may need to adjust the sugar amounts. 
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar sweetens the salad and balances the tart flavors found in the dressing. Granulated white sugar can be switched out here.
• Lemon juice: The acidity of lemon juice can help to preserve the freshness of the grapes. I like using lemon juice from concentrate, but you can also use a fresh lemon or even limes. 
• Walnuts: Nuts add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Feel free to try this salad with toasted pecans or almonds instead. 
• Light brown sugar: Feel free to use dark brown sugar or even granulated white sugar to top your salad. 

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Grape Salad

1. Prepare The Produce: Wash and pat the grapes completely dry.
2. Make The Cream Cheese Mixture: Stir together the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, brown sugar, and lemon juice. 
3. Combine: Mix the grapes into the cream cheese mixture until coated, then fold in the chopped walnuts.
4. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight for best results.
5. Serve: Top with walnuts and brown sugar and serve cold. Enjoy!

How To Soften Cream Cheese

To soften, simply remove the package cream cheese from the foil and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until softened. You can also leave them on the kitchen counter for 1 to 2 hours to soften to room temperature. Don’t leave softened cream cheese at room temperature for longer than 2 hours or it could start to grow bacteria that could lead to food-borne illness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your creamy grape salad as an appetizer or side dish with dinner or enjoy it as a light dessert. Or make it into a protein-packed meal by mixing in some shredded chicken. You can scoop the chicken salad with grapes over a bed of lettuce or serve it as a sandwich by piling it into pita, rolling it into a wrap, or enjoying it between sliced bagels and bread.

With its crowd-pleasing appeal, this grape salad is the cool, crunchy, and refreshing dish you need at your next gathering. It’s perfectly portable and great for taking to picnics, potlucks, and parties.

Tips & Variations

• Sweeten Your Salad: Feel free to add some marshmallow cream or chopped candy bars to your grape salad dessert for an extra sweet spin! I love the taste and texture of my grape and Snickers salad, but pieces of Milky Way, Twix, Rolos, or 3 Musketeers will also work well.
• Up The Fruit Factor: You can add additional fresh fruit to this grapes salad. Apples, strawberries, or even bananas would taste delicious.
• Create More Crunch: Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs, chopped pecans, or even crushed pretzels over the top of your salad for a garnish and extra crunch. We also love some pieces of candy on top, like Heath Bar or Snickers to really push this over the top! Similar to our Snickers Salad Recipe.
• Do not start your salad prep until the cream cheese is softened otherwise your dressing will not mix smoothly and will be very lumpy!

Proper Storage

• To Store: Place leftover grape salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Make sure to cover it well so that the creamy dressing doesn’t dry up.
• To Freeze: Do not freeze since this won’t thaw well. 

Other Easy Dessert Salads

• 5 Cup Salad
• Pudding Fruit Salad
• Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad
• Ambrosia Salad Recipe

If you tried this Grape Salad Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!