Thanksgiving salads might not be the first thing you think of when planning your holiday menu, but they’re a great way to bring something fresh and vibrant to the table. Whether you’re looking for a lighter option or just want to balance out all the rich classics, salads can be the perfect addition. They bring a fresh pop of color and texture that pairs so well with everything else on the plate. This year, it’s time to rethink what a holiday side can be.
Kale Salad With Cranberries. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.
Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
Roasted beets, goat cheese, and walnuts come together in a salad that's quick to make and easy to customize, offering a balanced addition to your Thanksgiving menu.
Get the Recipe: Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
Roasted Vegetable Salad
A roasted vegetable salad with light vinaigrette, perfect for fall meals. Serve it hot or cold, and it doubles as a great option for next-day lunches.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Salad
Heirloom Caprese Salad
This Caprese salad uses fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to create a refreshing side. It's a simple yet bold addition to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Heirloom Caprese Salad
Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans
Cranberries, goat cheese, and pecans paired with a tangy dressing make this salad a quick, flavorful option to round out your Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans
Kale Salad With Cranberries
A kale salad featuring cranberries, lemon, and nuts adds texture and brightness to the meal. Ready in just minutes, it’s a versatile side for your feast.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad With Cranberries
Kale Harvest Salad
A fall-inspired kale salad with carrots, dates, and a vinaigrette is a nourishing and quick side dish to complement your holiday entrees.
Get the Recipe: Kale Harvest Salad
Raw Carrot Salad
This raw carrot salad is crisp and ready in minutes, making it a refreshing choice to lighten up the Thanksgiving menu.
Get the Recipe: Raw Carrot Salad
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
Shaved Brussels sprouts, vegan Caesar dressing, and chickpeas make this salad a light, plant-based choice for quick holiday meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
Classic American Potato Salad
Creamy potato salad with boiled eggs brings familiar flavors and is a great make-ahead dish for holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Classic American Potato Salad
Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad
Broccoli apple salad with yogurt dressing highlights crisp textures and creamy notes, offering a versatile and refreshing addition to the table.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad
Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad
A quinoa salad with cranberries, pecans, and herbs makes for a fresh and vibrant choice, perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad
Honeycrisp Salad
Honeycrisp apples with spiced cider vinaigrette make this quick salad a seasonal addition to any holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Honeycrisp Salad
Sweet and Creamy Goat Cheese Salad with Fruit and Cranberry
Arugula, cucumbers, cranberries, and goat cheese with a lemon vinaigrette bring fresh, vibrant flavors to your holiday menu.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Creamy Goat Cheese Salad with Fruit and Cranberry
Autumn Salad with Chicken
Fall flavors shine in this salad of fruit, nuts, feta, and chicken, offering a quick and flavorful option for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Autumn Salad with Chicken
Vegan Couscous Salad With Tofu
Vegan couscous salad with tofu and lemon dressing is a fresh, light side that balances out heavier Thanksgiving dishes.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Couscous Salad With Tofu
Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing
Broccoli, bacon, cranberries, and creamy dressing combine to create a fresh side that balances out the richer dishes of the holiday.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing
Savoury Steak and Squash Salad
Steak and squash with apple maple vinaigrette showcases seasonal flavors and adds a lighter, refreshing contrast to traditional Thanksgiving dishes.
Get the Recipe: Savoury Steak and Squash Salad
Best Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Chicken salad with cranberries and pecans is easy to prepare and works for both casual lunches and holiday dinners alike.
Get the Recipe: Best Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
Kale with apple slices and creamy poppy seed dressing provides crisp texture and refreshing flavor, a great addition to a holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
Roasted Butternut or Pumpkin Feta Arugula Rocket Salad
Butternut squash, arugula, and feta with a light vinaigrette highlight seasonal produce in a quick, refreshing side for holiday meals.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut or Pumpkin Feta Arugula Rocket Salad
Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad
This chopped winter salad with rotisserie chicken, citrus, and kale is a bright addition to holiday meals, pairing fresh flavors with a hearty feel.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad
Best Roasted Potato Salad
Roasted potatoes with fresh herbs, pistachios, and a homemade dressing add vibrant, earthy flavors to the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Potato Salad
Bay Scallop Baby Kale Corn Salad
Bay scallops, corn, and tart cherries over baby kale with a cherry Dijon dressing create a light and colorful salad for the Thanksgiving season.
Get the Recipe: Bay Scallop Baby Kale Corn Salad
Sweet Potato Kale Salad
Kale with prunes, pomegranate, and feta offers a tangy vinaigrette and hearty texture, making it a fresh and bold side for your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Kale Salad
Roasted Winter Root Vegetable Salad
Spiralized beets, parsnips, cranberries, pecans, and blue cheese with balsamic dressing make this roasted root vegetable salad a rich yet refreshing holiday side.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Winter Root Vegetable Salad
Cabbage Apple Salad
Red cabbage and apples with tangy dressing create a colorful, crisp salad that pairs well with Thanksgiving classics.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple Salad
Vegan Niçoise Salad
A vegan Niçoise salad with fresh vegetables, chickpeas, and olives is a refreshing option with a champagne vinaigrette to balance out richer holiday dishes.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Niçoise Salad
Roasted Sunchoke Salad
Roasted sunchokes and fennel on greens with a lemon mustard dressing bring a vibrant, light touch to the Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sunchoke Salad
Walnut Cranberry Chicken Salad
Cranberry chicken salad with yogurt and walnuts is a versatile option to bring cranberries to your holiday table in a fresh way.
Get the Recipe: Walnut Cranberry Chicken Salad
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