Grape Salad Recipe

I’ve been developing recipes for national publications for more than 10 years. And the one type of recipe I will always say yes to developing is a salad. I love the challenge of taking fresh ingredients and turning it into a salad that’s so good you fight for the last bites of it.

This grape salad is a great example of how just a few simple ingredients, when combined, can create a truly delicious side salad.

Being from the Midwest, I’m very used to creamy-style grape salad made with sour cream, cream cheese or yogurt and loads of brown sugar.

My updated version of grape salad is lighter, tangier, and in my opinion, way tastier. 

Instead of a cream cheese mixture, I lightly dress the green and red grapes with fresh lemon juice and olive oil. Then for a bit of texture I add a combo of crunchy celery and chewy raisins.

One key step in this recipe is to halve the grapes instead of leaving them whole. The loose dressing would just slide off whole grapes. Slicing the grapes allows them to release some of their sweet juices and soak up the tart vinaigrette. Delicious.

And finally, you gotta season it with salt and pepper. It may feel counterintuitive to season a fruit salad, but just like in my Savory Citrus Salad, a good pinch of salt will enhance the sweetness and overall flavor.

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This recipe article was originally published May 12, 2022, it has since been updated with helpful tips and a recipe video for guaranteed success.

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What is Grape Salad?

Traditionally, grape salad is a creamy fruit salad made with either cream cheese, sour creamy or yogurt. In addition to being creamy, it also often has sugar added.

It’s a side dish served for all kinds of gatherings and can be found on tables in the Midwest and South.

My version of grape salad is lighter and lightly dressed with just lemon juice and olive oil.

Grape Salad Ingredients

Here is a quick rundown of what you’ll need for the recipe. For ingredient amounts, jump down to the recipe card.

• Grapes: I recommend using a mix of red and green seedless grapes, but use what you like best. A green grape salad would be just as beautiful and delicious as a red and green grape salad!
• Olive oil: for the most flavor, use quality extra-virgin olive oil. Or play around with other oils like walnut oil or infused oils like lemon or basil oil. 
• Lemon: to keep the salad bright and light, you’ll use lemon juice and lemon zest instead of vinegar. For zesting any kind of citrus, use a microplane. 
• Celery: tiny bits of crisp celery just takes this salad to a whole new level.
• Raisins: add a delicious chewiness that counteracts the juicy grapes and crisp celery. It’s a harmony of textures! Golden raisins are best, but regular also works.
• Basil: fresh herbs are always delicious in fruit salad—I love adding mint, cilantro, and tarragon, but for this grape salad basil is best.

How to Make This Recipe For Grape Salad

Here is a quick rundown of what you’ll need for the recipe. For full recipe instructions, and a recipe video, jump down to the recipe card.

1. In a large mixing bowl combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
2. Wash and slice the grapes in half then add to the dressing along with the diced celery and golden raisins.
3. Toss everything together to coat then stir in the basil and season to taste with additional salt, pepper and lemon zest.

Storing and Making This Grape Salad Recipe in Advance

You can make this grape salad up to 1 day ahead of time. Hold off on adding the basil until right before serving. Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this grape salad will last up to 4 days. Do not freeze grape salad.

What to Serve With Grape Salad

This grape celery salad is such an impressive side dish. It’s simple, but is unlike any other fruit salad. I’ll often pair it with chicken, but it’s also right at home on a brunch table. Here are a few main dishes I would serve with this:

Grilling & BBQ

Chimichurri Chicken

One Pan Meals

Pesto Chicken Tenders

Chicken & Turkey

Monterey Chicken

Egg Recipes

Easy Crustless Quiche Recipe