15 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (2024)

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When it comes to epic Thanksgiving dinners, it's all about balance. You have your heavy and filling main dish and an assortment of comforting side dishes, so you need a healthy light salad to balance it all out, right? So if you are wondering what easy Thanksgiving salad to add to your holiday dinner table that takes just minutes to throw together, then you are in the right please. We are sharing over 15 of our most popular and best Thanksgiving salad recipes including butternut squash salads, seasonal apple salads, warm salads with roasted vegetables, everything kale, and more!

15 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (1)

Best Thanksgiving Salads

Butternut Squash Salad

Butternut squash salad is a light meal that's loaded with fall flavors — roasted butternut squash, baby kale, walnuts, dried cranberries, and feta.

Apple Walnut Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Throw together crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and sweet cranberries for a taste of the holidays in this fall apple walnut salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

Roasted brussels sprouts salad with creamy potatoes, crispy string beans, tender brussels sprouts, is tossed in a delicious homemade dijon vinaigrette.

Fall Harvest Salad with Butternut Squash and Apple

Fall harvest salad with roasted butternut squash and apple is the only salad recipe you need this fall or winter. It's healthy, wholesome, and nourishing.

Arugula Salad with Apple and Pecan

Arugula salad with apple and pecan is a quick and easy fall salad made with fresh seasonal ingredients in just minutes. Perfect for a holiday dinner table.

15 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (6)

Winter Kale Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette and Spiced Pecans

Cozy winter kale salad with apple cider vinaigrette is easy to make with crispy apples, tangy goat cheese and crunchy spiced pecans in under 10 minutes.

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad is a delicious fall salad packed with fresh sprouts, apples, cranberries, and crunchy seeds, tossed in a homemade vinaigrette.

Thanksgiving Salad

This simple and healthy Thanksgiving Salad is loaded with greens, seasonal veggies, pomegranate seeds, and pecans, all tossed in a homemade vinaigrette.

Arugula and Roasted Carrot Salad

Arugula and roasted carrot salad is one of the best spring salads, packed with a delicious combination of sweet and sour flavours, plus easy to make.

Warm Lentil Salad with Butternut Squash

This warm lentil salad with butternut squash and shiitake mushrooms is the most comforting salad. Add it to your holiday dinner this fall.

Sweet Kale Salad

This Sweet Kale Salad is loaded with hearty greens, veggies, and homemade poppy seed dressing — inspired by the Taylor Farms salad kit from Costco.

Quinoa Spinach Salad

Take a bite into this refreshing, gluten-free quinoa and spinach salad bursting with colourful tomatoes, cucumbers and raisins.

Mandarin Orange Salad

Mandarin orange salad is fresh, vibrant, tangy, and sweet, bursting with flavour, and topped with a delicious orange salad dressing.

Lemon Kale Salad

Lemon kale salad is a simple, flavorful, and healthy meal that’s thrown together in just minutes with fresh ingredients. The perfect quick lunch or dinner.

Goat Cheese and Tangelo Winter Salad

Healthy and light, goat cheese and tangelo winter salad with creamy caesar dressing is flavourful, crunchy and takes just minutes to prepare.

Tips for Storing Thanksgiving Salads

  • Make ahead instructions:Almost all of these Thanksgiving salads can be made ahead of time. When making ahead, I recommend storing the ingredients separately from the dressing, and toss when ready to serve. To prep ahead of time, chop up all the ingredients and store in anairtight containerin the refrigerator.
  • How to store:Most Thanksgiving salads can be stored in anairtight containerin the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Refer to the specific recipe post for complete storing instructions.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

  • 30 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers
  • 50 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • 25 Warm and Cozy Fall Soup Recipes
  • 40 Best Thanksgiving Main Dishes
  • 25 Best Thanksgiving Desserts
  • 15 Thanksgiving Bread Recipes

Did You Make Any of These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of these easy Thanksgiving salad recipes at home. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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15 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (17)

15 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

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  • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings
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Description

Over 15 popular best Thanksgiving salad recipes including butternut squash salads, apple salads, warm salads with roasted vegetables, kale salad, and more!

Ingredients

  • Butternut Squash Salad
  • Apple Walnut Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad
  • Fall Harvest Salad with Butternut Squash and Apple
  • Arugula Salad with Apple and Pecan
  • Winter Kale Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette and Spiced Pecans
  • Warm Lentil Salad with Butternut Squash
  • Arugula and Roasted Carrot Salad
  • Quinoa Spinach Salad
  • Mandarin Orange Salad
  • Lemon Kale Salad
  • Goat Cheese and Tangelo Winter Salad

Instructions

  1. Pick the Thanksgiving salad recipe you want to make for your holiday dinner.
  2. Gather the required ingredients and prep them.
  3. Assemble the salad and serve.

Notes

Make ahead instructions:Almost all of these Thanksgiving salads can be made ahead of time. When making ahead, I recommend storing the ingredients separately from the dressing, and toss when ready to serve. To prep ahead of time, chop up all the ingredients and store in anairtight containerin the refrigerator.

How to store: Most Thanksgiving salads can be stored in anairtight containerin the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Refer to the specific recipe post for complete storing instructions.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Tossed
  • Cuisine: Various

Nutrition

  • Calories: 120

15 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (18)

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15 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a list of salad items? ›

A typical salad starts with raw greens, such as lettuce, spinach, kale, mixed greens or arugula. However, you can also add several other raw vegetables. Some popular raw veggie toppings include chopped carrots, onions, cucumbers, celery, mushrooms and broccoli.

Do people eat salad for Thanksgiving? ›

In the fall, so much colorful produce is at its peak, but it doesn't always make its way onto our Thanksgiving tables, where mashed potatoes and gravy take center stage. A Thanksgiving salad is a great way to add color to your holiday plate.

How to make salads more delicious? ›

How to make salad more interesting
  1. Add texture with roasted seeds or nuts. Seeds and nuts are a great salad topper. ...
  2. Make it more filling with whole grains. ...
  3. Beans and other legumes add plant-based protein. ...
  4. Fresh herbs add lots of flavour. ...
  5. Sweeten your salad with fruit. ...
  6. Make sure your salad is properly seasoned.

What are the 5 salads? ›

The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination. The five basic salads that can be served throughout the course of a meal are starter, accompaniment, main course, intermezzo, and dessert.

What are 10 things to put in a salad? ›

Basil, parsley and dill add nice pops of flavor. I add fresh fruit, toasted spiced pecans, goat cheese, roasted golden beets, pickled onions and chick peas. The fresh herbs sound so good! Spinach feta cucumber grape tomatoes and Greek salad dressing.

What to add to a bland salad? ›

7 Ways to Spice Up Your Boring Salad
  1. 1) Get Creative with Dressings. Salad dressings can really make or break a salad. ...
  2. 2) Top It Off With Something Crunchy. ...
  3. 3) Throw in Some Fruit. ...
  4. 4) Mix in Some Grains. ...
  5. 5) Experiment with Different Proteins. ...
  6. 6) Try Some Different Veggies. ...
  7. 7) Add Some Cheese. ...
  8. The Bottom Line.
Feb 21, 2023

Why do chopped salads taste better? ›

In a tossed salad, you may taste two or even several ingredients at a time, but rarely are all present in each mouthful, and the proportion of flavors varies widely from bite to bite. But a well-made chopped salad presents you with a harmonious, balanced combination of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter flavors every time.

How do you keep salad fresh and not soggy? ›

When you buy salad, there are 5 easy steps that will prolong its life so you can munch on fresh greens all week long.
  1. Handle with care. ...
  2. Make sure your salad is dry. ...
  3. Remove any spoilt leaves. ...
  4. Put salad in the right containers. ...
  5. Keep salad in the fridge.

What should you not forget for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Use this list to make sure you're prepared to have the feast you planned for.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk. A number of tasty desserts rely on this often forgotten item. ...
  • Cranberries or Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • Chicken Stock or Broth. ...
  • Simply Done Containers. ...
  • Foil, Parchment Paper, Pastic Wrap. ...
  • Centerpiece. ...
  • Nuts or Dried Fruit. ...
  • Dinner Rolls.
Nov 25, 2019

What are 3 foods that are eaten on Thanksgiving? ›

Millions of people across the United States will sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, potatoes, squash, corn, and cranberries.

What are 3 main foods on Thanksgiving? ›

My brother's birthday is November 26, so we usually celebrate it while the family is together for Thanksgiving. Traditional Thanksgiving foods include roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. These dishes often vary by region and family traditions.

How to spice up salad? ›

Sprinkle in some herbs:

Boost your salad into somethin' really special. Adding extra nutrients like basil, chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, mint, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme is another way to add new flavors in your salad!

How do restaurants make salads so crisp? ›

The Keys to Crisp Lettuce

Lettuce actually needs a good amount of airflow, in addition to a bit of moisture (but not too much!), in order to stay crisp. That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge.

How do you make a salad not to be boring? ›

  1. Tip #1: don't be afraid to mix textures, temperatures, vegetables and fruits! When it comes to salads, mixing is key. ...
  2. Tip #2: the final garnish is the difference between a good and a great salad! Examples? ...
  3. Tip 3: seasoning, seasoning, seasoning! Use anything your heart desires. ...
  4. Tip 4: make your salads unique!

What are popular salad items? ›

Toppings like tortilla strips, croutons and nuts offer a pleasant crunch, while creamy, salty cheeses add unique flavor. Of course, meats, beans and tofu add a protein boost, and berries and dried fruits lend a touch of sweetness. Whatever you're in the mood for, there's something for you here.

What are the 7 basic types of salads? ›

7 Types of Salad to Add Color and Crunch to Your Plateau
  • Caesar Salad.
  • Greek Salad (Horiatiki Salata)
  • Caprese Salad.
  • Cobb Salad.
  • Waldorf Salad.
  • Nicoise Salad.
  • Macaroni Salad.
  • Coleslaw.
Sep 5, 2023

How many items are in a salad? ›

In terms of the bulk of the salad, two ingredients could make a salad. For example, Peruvian onion salad is, if I recall correctly, 2 ingredients - raw red onion and tomatoes. If you include dressing, add a minimum of 3 ingredients - oil, acid, and salt.

What are the 6 major salad categories? ›

6 Classification of Salads
  • Appetizer Salads.
  • Accompaniment Salads.
  • Main course Salads.
  • Side Dish Salads.
  • Separate Course Salads.
  • Dessert Salads.

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