Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Grape Salad is a creamy and sweet recipe, which is made with fresh grapes and a brown sugar-pecan topping. It’s the perfect side dish for any potluck, ready in about 15 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Grape Salad Ingredients
- 1/3 cup pecans
- 4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 3 Tbsp. light brown sugar
- 2 lb. seedless grapes (red, green, or a combination)
How To Make Pioneer Woman Grape Salad
- Toast the pecans: In a medium skillet, toast the pecans over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and a deep golden brown. Transfer them to a cutting board to cool slightly, then roughly chop them.
- Make the creamy dressing: In a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat together the room-temperature cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla, salt, and 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Combine and serve: Add the grapes to the bowl with the dressing and toss gently to coat them completely. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and the toasted, chopped pecans.
Recipe Tips
- How to get a smooth dressing? The most important step is to use cream cheese that is fully softened to room temperature. This ensures it will beat into a smooth, lump-free consistency with the sour cream.
- Can I make this ahead of time? This is a perfect make-ahead dish. You can prepare the entire salad and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. For the best texture, add the pecan topping just before serving.
- Can I use different nuts? Yes. If you don’t have pecans, this salad is also delicious with toasted walnuts or even slivered almonds.
- How can I make this lighter? For a lighter version, you can substitute the sour cream with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt and use a low-fat cream cheese.
What To Serve With Grape Salad
This is a classic Southern side dish that is a staple at potlucks, barbecues, and family gatherings. It pairs perfectly with:
- Fried chicken or grilled chicken
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- As part of a brunch buffet
- Holiday ham or turkey
How To Store Grape Salad
- Refrigerate: Store the grape salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days.
Grape Salad Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 5g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Do I have to use a mixer for the dressing?
No, you can whisk the dressing together by hand in a bowl. Just make sure your cream cheese is very soft to ensure you can get it smooth and free of lumps.
Can I use a different kind of grape?
Yes, the recipe suggests using red, green, or a combination. Using a mix of both adds beautiful color to the salad. Just be sure to use seedless grapes.
Why toast the pecans?
Toasting nuts brings out their natural oils, which deepens their flavor and makes them much crunchier. It’s a simple step that adds a lot to the final dish.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Taco Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Hot Chicken Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Grape Salad Recipe
Description
A classic, creamy, and surprisingly delicious fruit salad with crisp grapes in a sweet cream cheese dressing, all topped with a crunchy brown sugar and pecan topping.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until fragrant. Let cool, then chop.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla, salt, and 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the grapes and toss to coat completely.
- Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and the toasted pecans just before serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003eUsing room temperature cream cheese is the most important step for a smooth, lump-free dressing.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis is a perfect make-ahead side dish for a party or potluck.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the best flavor, use a mix of both red and green seedless grapes.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t skip toasting the pecans; it adds a wonderful depth of flavor and crunch.u003c/liu003e
