20 Best Thanksgiving Salads for a Fresh Taste of Fall
Because everyone needs a little crunch.
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Salad may not usually take center stage at Thanksgiving, but it absolutely deserves a spot on the table. Amidst the indulgent comfort foods, savory sides, and glistening turkey, a refreshing salad can provide the perfect balance to your holiday spread. These seasonal Thanksgiving salads bring vibrant color, crisp texture, and a burst of freshness that will surprise and delight your guests—without requiring extra effort. So, why not add one of these autumn-inspired salads to your Thanksgiving menu? Your taste buds will most certainly say, 'Thanks!'
To really make these Thanksgiving salad recipes shine, there are plenty of options that are dressed up for the holidays with hearty mix-ins, like nuts, cheese, or pepitas. Take Ree Drummond's baby kale salad with acorn squash, for instance. It's crisp, comforting, and finished with a delicious apple cider vinegar dressing. Then, there's the shaved Brussels sprouts salad that's filled with sweet-tart cranberries and crunchy toasted almonds. Whether you serve it up as a holiday appetizer or pair it with your many Thanksgiving side dishes, you can't go wrong with one of these easy Thanksgiving salad recipes.
Spicy Wedge Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons
Adding a jalapeño and cilantro dressing to tender romaine lettuce hearts allows all that spicy flavor to gently coat each bite. The crispy cornbread croutons add an extra pop of texture and flavor to the mix.
Get Ree's Spicy Wedge Caesar Salad recipe.
Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash
Lean into the best flavors of fall with this hearty kale and acorn squash salad. The additions of creamy goat cheese, cranberries, and pepita really take it to the next level.
Get Ree's Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash recipe.
Radish Salad
This simple radish salad is the perfect antidote to all of those heavy Thanksgiving mains. It spotlights thinly sliced radishes and cucumbers tossed in a zesty dressing for a burst of crisp, cool flavor.
Get the Radish Salad recipe.
Cabbage Salad
You can't go wrong with a crisp cabbage salad. It has tons of crunchy fruits and veggies, like apples, purple cabbage, and arugula. Plus, flavorful mix-ins like nutty toasted pecans.
Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.
Waldorf Salad
This staple salad is autumn-ready, thanks to crisp apples, juicy grapes, and toasted walnuts. Served atop crunchy lettuce, it's the ideal fresh beginning to your feast!
Get the Waldorf Salad recipe.
Chicken Parm Salad
Chicken parm is the ultimate comfort meal—even on Thanksgiving! This lightened-up version of the Italian dish is served on a bed of arugula with a fresh cherry tomato-garlic mixture.
Get Ree's Chicken Parm Salad recipe.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
If you've never had raw Brussels sprouts in a salad before, you're in for a treat! Thinly slicing the fall veggie and dressing it with a flavorful honey-mustard dressing makes it almost like a slaw.
Get the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.
Couscous Salad
Light, fluffy couscous is a wonderful base for the grain-like salad. It's tossed with colorful veggies, sweet pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts for crunch.
Get the Couscous Salad recipe.
Thanksgiving Salad
This colorful, crisp salad is loaded with chopped smoked almonds, blue cheese, and a special ingredient that'll blow your mind: pickled apples! They're sweet, tart, and crunchy.
Get the Thanksgiving Salad recipe.
Cornbread Salad
Cornbread lovers will find this over-the-top salad to be a fun twist on the classic dish. It's layered up with corn, beans, veggies, cheese, and a chipotle-ranch dressing.
Get the Cornbread Salad recipe.
Collard Green Salad
You can use collard greens just like kale in a hearty salad. Just be sure to chop it up and massage it to make it a bit more tender. Then, top it black-eyed peas, crispy onions, and a tangy buttermilk dressing.
Get the Collard Green Salad recipe.
Caesar Salad
A good Caesar salad that's loaded with croutons and crisp lettuces is always a hit! The key is to make your own creamy, cheesy dressing, but it's easier than you might think.
Get the Caesar Salad recipe.
Green Bean Salad
Green beans are typically used in that classic creamy casserole dish on Thanksgiving. But this salad recipe gives them new life! It's fresh, crunchy, and easy to make ahead.
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.
Watercress Salad
Radishes, watercress, and fennel make this salad crisp and refreshing. All you need is a few roasted pistachios and a honey mustard dressing to make it complete.
Get Ree's Watercress Salad recipe.
Classic Three-Bean Salad
If green bean casserole isn't your thing, try a green bean salad instead! If you can't find fresh green beans, you can always sub in canned green beans.
Get the Classic Three-Bean Salad recipe.
Chef's Salad on a Stick
Hosting a crowd this Thanksgiving? Serving salad on a stick is a fun way to get the party started. Friends and family can snack on it before the big meal.
Get the Chef's Salad on a Stick recipe.
Broccoli Salad
You only 15 minutes to whip up this smoky, creamy broccoli salad. The best part? It's actual best when made ahead. That'll be one less thing for you to do on Thanksgiving Day!
Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.
Holiday Wild Rice Salad
A platter of this layered salad is sure to be a holiday show-stopper. Serve it with the maple-mustard dressing for even more fall flavor.
Get the Holiday Wild Rice Salad recipe.
Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
This crisp salad is great for serving a crowd. Place all the wedges on a platter, drizzle with dressing and cheese, and let guests help themselves!
Get Ree's Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Dressing recipe.
Caesar Salad Spears
A homemade Caesar salad is sure to impress all your guests. The dressing is made from scratch and so are the croutons.
Get Ree's Caesar Salad Spears recipe.
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