Tangy Grape Salad Recipe

Refreshingly Sweet Creamy Grape Salad Recipe for Summer Joy

Sweet summer memories dance through this creamy grape salad that combines tangy and smooth flavors in every delightful bite.

Crisp grapes nestled in a luscious cream cheese dressing create a refreshing side dish everyone adores.

Chilled and perfectly balanced, this salad brings a delightful twist to traditional picnic favorites.

The unexpected combination of ingredients adds a playful texture that keeps people coming back for more.

Soft cream cheese blends seamlessly with the juicy grapes, creating a luxurious treat.

Serve this dish at gatherings, and watch as friends and family devour every delectable spoonful.

You won’t be able to resist the irresistible charm of this simple yet elegant salad.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients Used In Copycat Costco Chicken Bake

For Fresh Fruity Base:
  • Grapes: Choose plump, firm seedless grapes with vibrant color and no soft spots for the perfect juicy crunch.
For Creamy Dreamy Coating:
  • Cream Cheese: Softened cheese creates luxurious smooth texture and adds rich depth.
  • Sour Cream: Provides tangy balance and silky consistency to the dressing.
  • Sugar: Enhances natural grape sweetness and balances creamy elements.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle warm aromatic note that elevates the entire dessert.
For Delightful Crunch Topping:
  • Brown Sugar: Creates caramel-like sweetness and adds beautiful golden sprinkle.
  • Chopped Nuts: Introduces delightful textural contrast and nutty flavor dimension.

Kitchen Tools For Copycat Costco Chicken Bake

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining grapes and mixing ingredients thoroughly.
  • Medium Mixing Bowl: Perfect for preparing the creamy dressing.
  • Electric Mixer or Whisk: Helps blend cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla into a smooth mixture.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Cutting Board: Useful for chopping nuts.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping nuts precisely.

How To Make Copycat Costco Chicken Bake

  • Grape Selection

Find the plumpest, juiciest green or red grapes from your local market. The fresher they are, the more delightful your dessert will become.

  • Creamy Dream Base

Whip together cream cheese, sour cream, and a touch of sweetness until the mixture becomes silky smooth. This magical blend will transform ordinary grapes into a luxurious treat.

  • Grape Transformation

Gently fold the velvety cream mixture into the grapes, ensuring each grape gets a loving coating of deliciousness. The goal is a beautiful, glossy finish that looks as amazing as it tastes.

  • Crunchy Finale

Sprinkle a generous layer of brown sugar and chopped nuts across the top, creating a delightful contrast of textures that will make taste buds dance with excitement.

  • Chill and Anticipate

Tuck the salad into the refrigerator for about an hour. This resting time allows all the flavors to mingle and create a dessert that’s cool, creamy, and completely irresistible.

Tips To Nail Copycat Costco Chicken Bake

  • Grape Salad Magic: Pro Tips & Twists
  • Grape Selection Perfection: Choose firm, seedless grapes with vibrant colors. Mix green and red varieties for a stunning visual appeal and balanced flavor profile.
  • Cream Cheese Smoothness: Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure ultra-smooth, lump-free dressing that coats grapes beautifully.
  • Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance. The flavors deepen and become more delicious as they mingle in the refrigerator.
  • Dairy-Free Delight: Swap cream cheese and sour cream with coconut yogurt and vegan cream cheese for a plant-based version that's equally creamy and delightful.
  • Nutty Alternatives: Replace chopped pecans with toasted almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for different textures and nutritional boosts. For nut-free options, use toasted coconut flakes or granola.

Ways To Serve Copycat Costco Chicken Bake

  • Grape Dessert Extravaganza: Sprinkle this creamy grape salad over slices of pound cake for an indulgent summer dessert that combines textures and flavors.
  • Sweet Brunch Companion: Serve alongside light breakfast pastries or as a refreshing side dish during weekend brunch gatherings to add a surprising and delightful element to the meal.
  • Elegant Party Appetizer: Present in small clear glasses or mini dessert cups as a sophisticated starter at dinner parties, garnishing with extra chopped nuts for visual appeal and crunch.
  • Healthy Kids' Treat: Pack in small containers for school lunches or after-school snacks, making a fun and nutritious alternative to traditional sugary desserts that children will love.

Storage Help For Copycat Costco Chicken Bake

  • Grape Delight Storage Guide
  • Refrigerator Readiness: Store the salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled to maintain the creamy texture and fresh grape crunch.
  • Advance Prep Magic: Prepare the dressing and chop nuts a day ahead to save time. Mix grapes with dressing just before serving to prevent soggy fruit.
  • Freezing Caution: This creamy salad doesn't freeze well due to cream cheese's delicate structure. Fresh preparation guarantees the best taste and texture.
  • Serving Temperature Tip: Always serve cold straight from the refrigerator. The chilled temperature enhances the sweet-tangy flavor and provides a refreshing experience.
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Tangy Grape Salad Recipe

Tangy Grape Salad Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Grape lovers will adore this creamy grape salad with its irresistible blend of sweet grapes and rich, tangy dressing. Crisp and cool, the recipe brings refreshing summer flavors that bring smiles around any table.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 g) seedless green grapes
  • 2 lbs (907 g) seedless red grapes
  • 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 8 oz (227 g) sour cream
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (110 g) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (55 g) chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

  1. Grape Preparation: Thoroughly wash grape clusters under cool running water, removing any stems and debris. Gently dry grapes using a clean kitchen towel and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Creamy Mixture Creation: Whip cream cheese until smooth and silky. Blend in sour cream, sweetener, and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture becomes uniform and free of lumps, creating a luxurious base for the salad.
  3. Coating and Mixing: Pour the creamy mixture over the prepared grapes, using gentle folding techniques to ensure each grape is evenly and completely coated with the velvety dressing.
  4. Finishing Touches: Sprinkle brown sugar across the top of the grape salad and generously scatter chopped nuts, adding a delightful textural contrast and rich flavor profile to the dessert.
  5. Chilling and Serving: Seal the salad in a container and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and intensify. Serve directly from the refrigerator, presenting a refreshing and decadent grape salad.

Notes

  • Select Fresh Grapes: Choose plump, firm grapes without blemishes or soft spots to ensure the best texture and flavor in your salad.
  • Drain Thoroughly: Pat grapes completely dry after washing to prevent watery dressing and maintain the creamy mixture’s smooth consistency.
  • Soften Cream Cheese: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before mixing to achieve a smoother, lump-free blend.
  • Customize Sweetness: Adjust sugar levels to personal preference, using alternative sweeteners like stevia for lower-calorie or diabetic-friendly versions.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

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