Crispy Walnut Grape Salad

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook:
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

If you're looking for a salad that brings a perfect blend of textures and flavors, this Crispy Walnut Grape Salad is your go-to. With juicy grapes, creamy dressing, and crunchy walnuts, it's an irresistible dish for any season.

Ingredients for Crispy Walnut Grape Salad

The stars of this salad are the red seedless grapes and green seedless grapes, which add sweetness and a juicy bite. The walnuts, once toasted, bring a lovely crunch and nutty depth to the dish. Our creamy base is made with cream cheese and sour cream, making the dressing rich and smooth. A touch of light brown sugar adds sweetness, while lemon juice offers a hint of tanginess. The vanilla extract enhances the sweetness, and a pinch of salt balances all the flavors beautifully.

Tips & Tricks

  • Toasting walnuts: Place them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently until they’re golden and fragrant.
  • Softening cream cheese: Take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start, or zap it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
  • For a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

Serving Suggestions

This salad is a versatile side dish that pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish. If you're feeling adventurous, try serving it atop a bed of mixed greens for added color and nutrients. It's also a delightful addition to a brunch spread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it up to a day in advance. Just keep it chilled until you're ready to serve.
What if I don't have sour cream?
You can substitute with Greek yogurt for a similar texture and tang.
Are there any nut-free alternatives?
Sure! You can try using sunflower seeds for a bit of crunch without nuts.

Crispy Walnut Grape Salad Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl. This will give you plenty of space to work with the ingredients. Add in the cream cheese, sour cream, light brown sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Use a handheld mixer or a whisk to blend everything together until it's smooth and creamy, with no lumps.

Next, gently fold the halved grapes into the cream mixture. You want to be careful here to keep the grapes intact, so a spatula works best. Ensure each grape is well-coated with that luscious dressing.

Time to add some crunch! Sprinkle the toasted walnuts over the grape mixture. Give it a gentle stir to distribute the nuts evenly throughout the salad. The goal is to have a bit of walnut in every bite for that perfect texture contrast.

Now, cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and pop it into the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least 30 minutes. This not only helps meld the flavors but also firms up the dressing slightly, making it even more satisfying.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare with minimal effort.
  • Perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors.
  • No cooking required beyond toasting the walnuts.
  • Works great as a side dish or a light dessert.

Ingredients

2 cups red seedless grapes, halved
1 cup green seedless grapes, halved
1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, light brown sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until smooth.
2. Add the halved red and green grapes to the bowl and gently fold until the grapes are well coated with the dressing.
3. Sprinkle the toasted walnuts over the grape mixture and gently stir to combine.
4. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!