Cooking With Grapes - Cooking Light

1511 Slow-Roasted Grape and Yogurt Parfaits

Randy Mayor

This juicy, versatile fruit isn't just for eating out of hand or making wine. It's delicious whether roasted, braised, or simmered into a variety of dishes.

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Great Grapes

Photo: Randy Mayor

You may think of grapes as a lunchbox staple, but we’re out to prove that they’re much more than that. The acidity of this popular fruit can balance sweet and savory dishes, and they also lend a pleasant “pop” when you bite into them. Additionally, grapes are packed with antioxidants and have a low glycemic index, making them an essential part of a healthy diet.

From a roasted and caramelized pizza topping to a sauce for Thanksgiving Day turkey, our recipe collection will introduce you to new and exciting ways to use this versatile fruit. All hail the humble grape!

For more information on how to select and store grapes, check out our In Season: Grapes guide.

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Roasted Moroccan-Spiced Grapes and Chicken

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Roasted Moroccan-Spiced Grapes and Chicken

Roasting the grapes in a blazing hot oven at the last minute creates a sweet char to balance cumin, coriander, and cinnamon-spiced crisp-skinned chicken thighs. The grapes lose their plumpness soon after removing them from the oven, so cook them just before serving.

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Roasted Carrot, Chicken, and Grape Quinoa Bowl

Photo: Squire Fox

View Recipe: Roasted Carrot, Chicken, and Grape Quinoa Bowl

This nutrient-packed quinoa and greens salad boasts roasted carrots for caramelized flavor, sliced grapes for a juicy burst, and almonds for crunch. Preassemble the ingredients in a bowl to save time, but make sure to add the salad greens right before serving to keep them crisp.

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Chicken, Red Grape, and Pesto Pizza

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Chicken, Red Grape, and Pesto Pizza

While grapes may be an unconventional pizza topping, they work wonders in this simple recipe. As a sweet contrast to nutty pesto and rich Italian cheeses, grapes are the perfect accompaniment to these ingredients. They’ll pick up caramelized flavor after time in the oven, taking on a toasty sweetness.

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Grape-Kombucha Sipper

Photo: Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Grape-Kombucha Sipper

Juicy and pleasantly plump, grapes are at their peak now. This versatile fruit also packs a healthy punch: Black and red grapes are rich in anthocyanins—powerful antioxidants that may lower your risk of heart disease and cancer and boost brain power. By adding the kombucha last, we preserve its carbonation, making for a crisp and refreshing cocktail. For an alcohol-free fall refresher, swap the 1 oz. gin in each drink for 2 oz. tonic water and 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice.

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Chicken and Roasted Grape Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Chicken and Roasted Grape Salad

Roasting mellows the tartness, deepens the flavor, and intensifies the sweetness of fresh grapes. The result? A midpoint between a raisin and a juicy fresh grape. Sturdy kale holds its shape when mixed with the additional ingredients in this nutrient-packed salad.

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Chicken Salad with Red Grapes and Citrus-Honey Dressing

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Chicken Salad with Red Grapes and Citrus-Honey Dressing

With just five ingredients, this speedy entrée-sized salad is a perfect weeknight dinner. Leftover whole celery stalks and grapes make great healthy snacks during the week. Prepare the tangy Citrus-Honey Dressing in advance if needed, and consider doubling the recipe to toss with greens or a grain salad for dinner the next night.

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Grape Galette

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Grape Galette

Take a break from traditional holiday pies and try this grape tart instead. The grapes become tender and intensely juicy in the oven. Floral, slightly bitter marmalade helps to bind the filling and balance the fruit. Let the galette sit at room temperature while you complete your holiday prep so the juices can thicken. Warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes before serving.

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Plank-Grilled Salmon with Grape Relish

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Plank-Grilled Salmon with Grape Relish

Quartered red grapes combine with chopped green olives, shallots, and a splash of red wine vinegar for a salty-sweet relish that adds color and contrast to smoky, plank-grilled salmon. Cook the grapes until just warmed, as too much time in a hot pan will cause them to lose their vibrant red hue.

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Arugula with Shrimp and Grapes

Photo: Karry Hosford

View Recipe: Arugula with Shrimp and Grapes

Used as both a dressing and a salad ingredient, grapes won’t be wasted in this innovative recipe. They’re pureed to add tartness to the dressing and sliced to add texture to the salad. To make this meal easier to eat with a fork, try slicing the shrimp into grape-sized pieces before cooking, bearing in mind that the cook time may be shorter as a result.

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Roasted Grape and Feta Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Roasted Grape and Feta Salad

Elevate red grapes with a quick roast in the oven, then toss with toasted walnuts, crisp arugula, feta cheese, and a lemony vinaigrette for a flavor-packed side salad. We love this with a meaty white fish such as halibut or a hearty soup such as chicken and orzo.

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Spring Salad with Grapes and Pistachio-Crusted Goat Cheese

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Spring Salad with Grapes and Pistachio-Crusted Goat Cheese

Rolling small balls of goat cheese with finely chopped pistachios unites these two ingredients in a unique way, while sliced red grapes keeps this festive salad light. It’s simple to make and stunning on the plate, making it perfect salad for a holiday gathering or special meal with family or friends.

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Grape and Hazelnut Salad

Photo: Whitney Ott

View Recipe: Grape and Hazelnut Salad

Tangy-hot Dijon vinaigrette is a quick and easy way to enhance greens, grapes, and hazelnuts. We like the caramelized buttery flavor of toasted hazelnuts, but any type of nut in your pantry would work.

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Braised Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Grapes

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Braised Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Grapes

Braising is a simple technique that locks moisture and flavor into ingredients. Here, sweet grapes downplay pungent Brussels sprouts, and simmering these two ingredients together intensifies their unexpectedly satisfying flavor combination. For vegetarian or vegan diets, substitute olive oil for butter and water for chicken stock.

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Balsamic and Grape Quinoa

Photo: Jason Wallis

View Recipe: Balsamic and Grape Quinoa

Spin this simple whole-grain side salad into a complete meal by mixing in a lean protein such as shredded rotisserie chicken or shrimp, a low calorie cheese such as feta or goat, and chopped walnuts or sliced almonds. Double the recipe and enjoy for lunch during the week.

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Almond-Buttermilk Hotcakes with Blackberry-Grape Sauce

Photo: Lee Harrelson

View Recipe: Almond-Buttermilk Hotcakes with Blackberry-Grape Sauce

We love these almond and buttermilk-based pancakes, which are perfect for a lazy weekend brunch or even breakfast for dinner. The fruit topping, which is simply cooked grapes, blackberries, lemon, and a small amount of cornstarch for thickening, has no added sugar.

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Grape Raita

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Grape Raita

Raita is a yogurt-based Indian condiment valued for its cooling effects against a fiery hot curry. In our version, we add sliced red grapes to Greek yogurt for texture and drizzle with a fragrant mustard and cumin-seed oil. Optional curry leaves add complexity and depth—look for them at Asian markets.

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Roasted Cranberries and Grapes with Rosemary

Photo: Brian Woodcock

View Recipe: Roasted Cranberries and Grapes with Rosemary

Grapes, rosemary, and cinnamon elevate traditional cranberry sauce in an unexpectedly delicious way. Simply combine all ingredients on a jelly-roll pan and let the broiler do its magic. We recommend black grapes for their sturdier skins, but you can substitute red grapes if necessary.

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Roasted Grape and Pear Kuchen

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Roasted Grape and Pear Kuchen

Kuchen is a classic German yeast cake that’s either topped with seasonal fruit or filled with cheese or custard. Our version celebrates fall with seasonal fruit—roasted grapes and pears—and plenty of spices.

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Sautéed Grape Napoleons with Port Reduction

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Sautéed Grape Napoleons with Port Reduction

Our riff on the classic French dessert of layered puff pastry and custard uses frozen phyllo dough sheets for convenience. Sautéed grapes and creamy cheeses make for an indulgent filling between these sheets and offer just the right amount of sweet and savory.

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Slow-Roasted Grape and Yogurt Parfaits

Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Slow-Roasted Grape and Yogurt Parfaits

Black, red, and green grapes bake low and slow in the oven, making for a simple technique that intensifies the flavors and results in a buttery-soft consistency. When the grapes are cooled, combine with Greek yogurt, walnuts, a drizzle of honey, and mint—everything you’ll need complete this satisfying breakfast, snack, or dessert.

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20 Surprising Ways to Cook With Grapes

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Great Grapes

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Roasted Moroccan-Spiced Grapes and Chicken

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Roasted Carrot, Chicken, and Grape Quinoa Bowl

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Chicken, Red Grape, and Pesto Pizza

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Grape-Kombucha Sipper

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Chicken and Roasted Grape Salad

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Chicken Salad with Red Grapes and Citrus-Honey Dressing

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Grape Galette

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Plank-Grilled Salmon with Grape Relish

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Arugula with Shrimp and Grapes

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Roasted Grape and Feta Salad

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Spring Salad with Grapes and Pistachio-Crusted Goat Cheese

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Grape and Hazelnut Salad

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Braised Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Grapes

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Balsamic and Grape Quinoa

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Almond-Buttermilk Hotcakes with Blackberry-Grape Sauce

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Grape Raita

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Roasted Cranberries and Grapes with Rosemary

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Roasted Grape and Pear Kuchen

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Sautéed Grape Napoleons with Port Reduction

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Slow-Roasted Grape and Yogurt Parfaits

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