Amazing Creamy Grape Salad Recipe (Dairy-Free)

Delicious and easy grape salad recipe made completely dairy-free! This creamy side dish features pecans and bacon for extra crunch and flavor. It's perfect for a picnic or a potluck and is made healthy without any added sugar or sweetener!

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Chilling Time1

Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dairy free grape salad

Servings: servings - makes about 6 cups

Ingredients

4 slices thick-cut bacon
1 lb green seedless grapes halved
1 lb red seedless grapes halved
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and add the bacon slices. Pan fry for 8-10 minutes, turning every few minutes, until brown and crispy.
Remove the bacon slices and crumble into bits.
In a large mixing bowl, add grapes, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and half of the bacon bits. Stir to combine and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
When ready to serve, gently toss the grape salad again to coat with the creamy dressing that can settle to the bottom.
Add the chopped pecans and rest of the bacon, and toss together. Serve.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips

While the instructions are simple and pretty straightforward, here are some additional tips to make this delicious grape salad recipe.

To halve the grapes in a short amount of time, sandwich several grapes between the bottoms of 2 plates of the same size. Hold down the top plate with one hand, and with the other hand, run a sharp knife between the two plates to slice the grapes at once. Repeat until all the grapes are halved.
To keep this healthy grape salad recipe Whole30 and paleo compliant, use mayonnaise made with high-quality oils like avocado oil or olive oil. This is my favorite brand. Also - use bacon that's free of sugar and nitrates.
For the crunch factor, I like to use pecans because of their amazing buttery taste, but walnuts will also work well!
Some recipes call for a little bit of brown sugar for sweetness. I don’t find that to be necessary, but if you need a little more sweetness, feel free to add coconut sugar. Keep in mind that it will not be considered Whole30 with the added sugar.
If you want to add some protein or turn this into a chicken salad, you could add a cup or two of cooked shredded chicken or chopped chicken. Keep in mind that you might need to add a bit more mayo.
Keep in mind that whole grapes can be a choking hazard, so it’s best to cut them in halves or quarters, especially if kids will be eating this delicious recipe.

Serving Tips

Serve chilled, as it’s not as good at room temperature. It is a great make-ahead side dish for a potluck or family dinner on a hot summer day or really any time of year. Make it, store it in the refrigerator, and serve it when ready!

This perfect dish is full of creamy goodness and is such a crowd pleaser. No one will even know it’s a healthier alternative to the classic Southern grape salad.

Storage Tips

Store your leftover grape salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Give it a good stir before serving.

Nutrition