Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, making it an hour or even several hours in advance (up to a day) allows the flavors to really come together. The only thing you might want to do is add the brown sugar–nut topping just before serving for maximum crunch.

Is there a way to make it lighter or healthier?

Definitely! Swap out sour cream for Greek yogurt, use reduced-fat cream cheese, and cut back a bit on the sugar. The salad will still be luscious and sweet from the grapes themselves.

What’s the best way to toast nuts?

Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden. Let them cool before chopping.

Do I need to use red seedless grapes, or can I use another type?

Red seedless grapes are traditional because they’re sweet, juicy, and pair perfectly with the cream base—but green or black seedless grapes are delicious too. A colorful mix is always a hit!

Easy Grape Salad Recipe

Name: Easy Grape Salad Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 pounds red seedless grapes, chilled (about 10 cups); 3/4 cup brown sugar; 1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped

Description

This easy grape salad is a creamy, sweet, and crunchy dish that’s quick to prepare and perfect for parties or potlucks. Red seedless grapes are folded into a rich mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and sugar, then finished with a crunchy brown sugar and nut topping. Serve chilled for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Creamy Base

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fruit

4 pounds red seedless grapes, chilled (about 10 cups)

Topping

3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped

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Instructions

Make the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir the mixture well until smooth and evenly combined. If the mixture is lumpy, use a whisk to help blend it.
Fold in Grapes: Carefully fold the chilled red seedless grapes into the cream cheese mixture. Gently toss to ensure all grapes are evenly coated without bruising them.
Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and toasted, chopped walnuts or pecans until well incorporated.
Assemble and Chill: Sprinkle the brown sugar and nut mixture evenly over the top of the grape salad. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow flavors to meld and the salad to set.
Serve: Serve the salad cold, scooping into individual portions. Enjoy as a refreshing dessert or side dish.

Notes

Make sure to soften the cream cheese to room temperature to ensure a smooth mixture without lumps.
Chilled, sweet, and seedless red grapes are recommended for the best texture and taste. Quarter the grapes if serving to small children.
Toast the walnuts or pecans before chopping for extra flavor and crunch.
This recipe yields about 12 cups, enough for 12 servings (1 cup each).
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; salad may become watery over time but remains safe to eat.
Best enjoyed the day prepared, but you can prep ahead by softening the cream cheese in advance.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 349
Sugar: 38g
Sodium: 104mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 51g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 28mg