These Thanksgiving salad recipes bring a fresh, colorful counterpoint to stuffing, potatoes, and gravy. Apples, pears, cranberries, greens, roasted vegetables, and crunchy nuts all feel at home on a fall table.
Choose a fresh, leafy green salad for a light and refreshing side, or a heartier vegetable salad that can be prepared ahead of time without losing its texture or flavor. The Thanksgiving Meal Planning Guide can help you fit a salad into the rest of your menu.
Tips for Planning This Course
One well-chosen salad is enough for most Thanksgiving menus. Look for acidity and crunch if the main dishes and sides are especially rich.
Wash and dry greens, roast vegetables, and prepare dressing ahead when the recipe allows. Keep crisp toppings and delicate greens separate until close to dinner.
Slice apples and pears shortly before serving, or follow the recipe’s method for limiting browning. Dress leafy salads at the last minute; heartier kale or roasted vegetable salads may be more forgiving.
Apple, pear and cranberry salads
Apple Harvest Salad Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutesminutes
This Apple Harvest Salad is packed with crisp apples, crunchy nuts, dried fruit, and fresh greens tossed in a flavorful homemade vinaigrette.
Add some fall magic to your meals with this juicy Pear Salad, tangy and crunchy, making every bite a delight! Ready in just 30 minutes, it's perfect for a quick and delicious autumn meal.
Packed with roasted sweet potatoes, crunchy pecans, and a flavorful dressing, this Sweet Potato Salad is as satisfying as it is easy to prepare. Perfect for potlucks or weekday meals!
Brighten up your holiday meal with Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon, tossed in sweet cider dressing with crisp greens and salty bacon in a 30-minute, flavor-packed bowl.
Make healthy eating effortless with this Superfood Salad. Ready in just 10 minutes, it combines a delightful mix of fresh vegetables with a luscious poppy seed dressing.
Broccoli Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutesminutes
For sunny lunches or breezy dinners, Broccoli Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing is crisp, creamy, and lightly sweet from dried fruit, with a clean citrus finish—ready in 15 minutes.
Taste the best of summer with this Easy Pea Salad, loaded with peas, cheese, bacon, and onions, and finished with a rich, creamy mayo-vinegar dressing. Ready in just 15 minutes!
