This grape salad combines fresh grapes with a Greek yogurt dressing and is topped with crunchy pecans. It’s creamy, refreshing, easy to make and is the perfect side dish.

We’re going down memory lane at EBF this week. Yesterday I shared this ambrosia salad and today I’m sharing another classic recipe that I grew up with… grape salad.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Creamy Indulgence: The blend of softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt or sour cream offers a velvety backdrop, enhancing the grapes’ succulence.
• Sweet and Crunchy: The sprinkling of pecans or walnuts combined with coconut sugar or brown sugar brings a caramelized nutty touch to each bite, contrasting the soft grapes beautifully.
• Adaptable Sweetness: Whether you’re aiming for traditional, natural, or low-carb, you have the flexibility to choose your sweetener. From classic sugar to monkfruit or honey, tailor it to your needs and taste preferences.
• Easy Preparation: No complex steps, no prolonged kitchen time, yet the result is a sophisticated dish that’s sure to win hearts at any gathering.

Ingredients Needed

• red and green grapes – these form the juicy base of the salad. Grapes provide vitamin C, plenty of antioxidants, and hydration! Aim for fresh, plump grapes for the best results. Make sure you get seedless green grapes and seedless red grapes; you don’t want to be biting into a seed with this salad.
• cream cheese – acts as a creamy binder for the salad. It can be regular or non-fat, depending on your preference. Make sure it’s softened to easily blend with other ingredients.
• greek yogurt or sour cream – this adds a tangy creaminess to the mix. Either works, depending on the flavor profile you’re aiming for. I like using Greek yogurt as it offers plenty of protein, calcium, and potassium.
• sweetener – you have flexibility here! Whether it’s granulated sugar, monkfruit granulated sweetener, or honey, it’s about balancing sweetness to your liking.
• vanilla extract – a dash of vanilla elevates the flavor, giving the salad a hint of aromatic sweetness.
• nuts – chopped pecans or walnuts offer a delightful crunch, contrasting with the soft grapes and creamy dressing.
• light brown sugar or coconut sugar – this brings a deeper, caramel-like sweetness, especially when combined with the nuts. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, coconut sugar is a great choice.
• cinnamon – an optional pinch can introduce a warm, spicy note to the salad, making it even more intriguing to the palate.

How to Make

This grape salad recipe is so easy to make and requires less than 10 minutes of prep time. The hardest part is waiting for it to chill in the fridge! Here’s how to make it:

Make dressing: Using a hand mixer beat together the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), your chosen sweetener and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can combine the dressing with a whisk.

Add grapes: Once your dressing is prepared, fold in both red and green grapes, ensuring each grape is nicely coated with the creamy dressing.

Chill: This step is essential! Cover your salad and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours. This not only ensures the flavors meld together but also makes the salad refreshing.

Make topping: While the salad is chilling, mix together the chopped nuts (either pecans or walnuts), with your brown or coconut sugar, and if you’re using it, a pinch of cinnamon.

Serve: Before serving this delicious recipe, sprinkle the nutty topping over the salad for a sweet, crunchy contrast. Dive in and enjoy!

Substitutions & Notes

• Different Fruits: While grapes are the star here, consider adding in small chunks of apples, bits of pineapple, or slices of strawberries for a varied texture and flavor.
• Whipped Topping: For a fluffier texture, fold in some whipped cream or a dairy-free alternative into the creamy dressing.
• Pudding Mix: Incorporate a packet of instant vanilla or cheesecake pudding mix to the dressing for added sweetness and flavor.
• Add-ins: Consider adding miniature marshmallows or shredded coconut for additional sweetness and texture.
• Cheese: For a richer taste, mix in chunks of cheddar or feta cheese.
• Spices: Boost the flavor profile by adding a hint of nutmeg or cardamom to the creamy dressing.

How to Store Leftovers

Add any leftovers to an airtight sealed container and place in the fridge. Properly stored, it will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

More Fruit Salad Recipes

Be sure to check out all of my dessert recipes here on EBF!