Lifestyle

41 Tasty Thanksgiving Salad Recipes for a Healthy in 2024

by: Kelsey Opel

Last Updated on Nov 7th 2024

Preparing a Thanksgiving salad is the perfect way to add a healthy dish to an abundant Thanksgiving feast. With crispy apples, fresh beets and peppery arugula in season during the fall, salad can be a colorful and healthy addition to your holiday menu. A variety of salads also make for great vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes.

Do people eat salad at Thanksgiving? In addition to salad providing a healthier dish, Eater mentions that salad also gives guests a chance to enjoy a light and refreshing dish between bites of heavy mashed potatoes and thick, juicy turkey. Salad is an excellent dish to round out your festive Thanksgiving meal, no matter if you're dining at home or one of the restaurants open on Thanksgiving.

So, what are the best salad recipes for your gathering? We’ve compiled a list of the most delicious salads to elevate your Thanksgiving menu.

Classic Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

1. Thanksgiving Salad

Prepare a festive Thanksgiving salad for the best Thanksgiving food ideas. This colorful salad features smoked almonds, crumbly blue cheese and pickled apples. All the best flavors of fall come together in this delicious salad.

2. Three-Bean Salad

Combine fresh green beans with canned kidney beans and canned white beans for a comforting side dish. Blanch the green beans before adding them to your salad and drizzle your dish with a zesty olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing.

3. Caesar Salad

Toss a classic Caesar for a favorite Thanksgiving salad for your gathering. This salad is easy to prepare, but you can also elevate your recipe by baking homemade croutons and crafting the creamy dressing from scratch.

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4. Arugula Salad

Treat your guests to a refreshing arugula salad for your gathering. This simple salad requires minimal ingredients and pairs perfectly with your Thanksgiving meal. Toss your greens with lemon, olive oil and salt for a delicious and healthy salad.

5. Festive Kale Salad

Create a Thanksgiving salad featuring kale, pickled cranberries and quinoa for your holiday meal. This zesty dish will be a favorite among your guests. Drizzle your colorful salad with a tangy homemade lemon dressing to round out the meal.

6. Greek Salad

Combine red onion, cucumbers, feta and olives to create one of the best Thanksgiving salads. Toss your salad with a classic Greek dressing featuring oregano and garlic. Your guests will love this dish alongside the traditional turkey.

7. Winter Salad

Craft a savory winter Thanksgiving salad for your holiday meal. Prepare roasted veggies to mix in with your favorite nuts and dried fruits. Your guests will love this salad so much that they’ll request it every year!

8. Collard Green Salad

Whip up a delicious collard green salad to serve with your Thanksgiving feast. If your guests aren’t fans of collard greens, swap them out for kale. Add black beans, crispy onions and a creamy buttermilk dressing to round out your salad.

9. Chopped Salad

Chop up your favorite vegetables for a classic salad on the Thanksgiving menu. From fresh cucumber to zesty tomato, each bite provides a burst of flavor. Provide a selection of dressings for your guests to choose, such as Italian or homemade ranch dressing.

Unique Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

10. Cornbread Salad

What are 5 traditional Thanksgiving foods? Aside from the turkey and stuffing, you’ll want to add this cornbread salad to your traditional holiday menu every year. Featuring layers of freshly baked cornbread, pinto beans, corn, veggies and a creamy chipotle ranch dressing, your guests will demand this dish every Thanksgiving!

11. Carrot Salad

This Thanksgiving salad is anything but boring. Combine thinly sliced carrots, red apples, toasted pecans, and raisins with a zesty salad dressing. This dish can be made up to a day ahead for a colorful and crunchy salad at your holiday meal.

12. Chef’s Salad on a Stick

Chef’s Salad on a Stick is one of the best Thanksgiving appetizers to surprise and delight your guests. Appease everyone’s appetite with skewers filled with a variety of meats, cheeses and fresh veggies. Drizzle each piece with homemade ranch dressing for a burst of flavor in every bite.

13. Ranch Chopped Salad

Serve a different kind of Thanksgiving salad to your guests who may not like the more traditional dish. Fill a salad bowl with lettuce, cheddar cheese, bacon and tomato and drizzle the dish with homemade ranch dressing. This salad is the perfect compliment to your Thanksgiving feast.

14. Antipasti Chopped Salad

Transform your Thanksgiving charcuterie board into a tasty salad. Combine romaine lettuce, pepperoncini, sliced provolone, salami and pepperoni into a salad bowl. Toss the dish with a zesty red wine vinegar dressing and top with freshly baked croutons.

15. Wild Rice Salad

Impress your guests with a colorful and healthy wild rice salad this holiday season. Create rows on a platter with wild rice, crispy bacon, fresh apple slices, grapes, arugula, blue cheese crumbles and roasted pecans. Provide a maple mustard dressing for your guests to enjoy on the side.

16. Roasted Beet Salad

Prepare a delicious beet Thanksgiving salad for a memorable dish at your gathering. Roast red and yellow beets to create a zesty vinaigrette dressing. Drizzle this over a salad combining lettuce, grapefruit, goat cheese and blanched hazelnuts for a sweet and savory side dish.

17. Broccoli Salad

Craft a smoky and creamy broccoli salad your guests will love this Thanksgiving. Fill a bowl with broccoli florets, dried cranberries, cheddar cheese, almonds and crumbled bacon. Toss this dish with a creamy dressing incorporating apple cider vinegar and granulated sugar.

18. Chicken Parm Salad

Your guests won’t stop raving about a chicken parm salad at your Thanksgiving. Serve slices of lightly breaded chicken over a bed of arugula and roasted tomatoes and peppers. Drizzle the salad with a homemade cherry tomato and garlic dressing.

Crunchy Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

19. Waldorf Salad

Impress your guests with a luxurious salad for your Thanksgiving feast. Combine chopped apples, grapes and toasted walnuts over a bed of crunchy lettuce. Create a homemade creamy dressing incorporating mayonnaise, lemon juice, yogurt and honey for a tangy flavor.

20. Green Bean Salad

Prepare a classic green bean Thanksgiving salad for your holiday spread. Fill a bowl with slightly cooked green beans, red onions, tomatoes and olives. Top this delicious side dish with goat cheese, crispy almonds and a zesty red wine vinaigrette.

21. Big Green Salad

Toss a favorite holiday salad for your special gathering. Mix kale, brussels sprouts, pine nuts and yellow beet for a refreshing blend. Drizzle a lemon vinaigrette from scratch for one of the best dishes at your Thanksgiving meal.

22. Shaved Fennel Salad

Transform fresh fennel into a crunchy Thanksgiving salad. Toss this green together with apples, radishes, toasted pine nuts and parmesan cheese. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey and mustard for a tangy dressing to round out the salad.

23. Radicchio Salad

Treat your guests to a crispy and refreshing salad with your holiday meal. Combine radicchio with fresh fruit, such as an orange or pear, to add a burst of sweetness to the salad. Toss in walnuts, feta cheese and a garlic honey dressing to complete the dish.

24. Bibb Salad

Incorporate bibb lettuce into a delicious vegetable salad for Thanksgiving. Add creamy avocado, crispy radish slices and a homemade vinaigrette to your dish. This light and refreshing salad is perfect to accompany your festive holiday meal.

25. Grilled Corn Salad

Create a colorful Thanksgiving salad with grilled corn and complimentary ingredients. Add bell peppers, creamy feta, chopped walnuts and shallot to complete the dish. Your guests will love this salad so much they’ll be asking for seconds!

26. Grape Salad

Prepare a sweet and savory salad to treat your guests on Thanksgiving. Slice the grapes in half and mix them with a combination of cream cheese, sour cream and brown sugar. Top the dish with toasted pecans to round out the salad.

Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

27. Kale Citrus Salad

Make a Thanksgiving salad that’s dairy-free for your hungry guests. This dish uses minimal ingredients and combines pickled red onions, grapefruit slices, pomegranate seeds and cranberries. Top this off with a delicious and zesty salad dressing.

28. Wedge Salad

Craft a crispy Thanksgiving salad with wedge lettuce, marinated tomatoes and bacon crumbles. Create a dairy-free ranch dressing using mayo, oat milk, apple cider vinegar, garlic and array of spices for a creamy and delicious dressing.

29. Couscous Salad

Prepare a savory couscous salad as the perfect dish to complement your Thanksgiving feast. Combine couscous with chickpeas, diced cucumber and tomatoes and fresh parsley. Drizzle lemon juice and tahini over the top to round out your salad.

30. Festive Thanksgiving Salad

Impress your guests with a colorful and refreshing salad paired with your Thanksgiving meal. Add fresh pear, pomegranate seeds and chopped smoked almonds over a bed of mixed greens. Top it off with homemade croutons and a red wine vinaigrette.

31. Watercress Salad

Combine a zesty lemon vinaigrette with fresh vegetables to create an unforgettable Thanksgiving salad that’s dairy-free. Mix in green apple and almonds for a crispy bite. Your guests will love digging into this salad alongside the traditional turkey meal.

32. Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Salad

Are you wondering what you can serve on Thanksgiving instead of turkey? Make a delicious vegetable salad for Thanksgiving with roasted sweet potato wedges and cauliflower. Whisk together olive oil and sherry vinegar and plate your ingredients with mixed lettuce.

33. Simple Green Salad

You can never go wrong serving your guests a plate of simple greens for a healthy Thanksgiving salad. Mix lettuce, cucumber, green onions and your other favorite green vegetables for a delicious side dish. Provide a variety of salad dressings, such as ranch or balsamic, to let your guests customize their plates.

34. Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Thinly slice brussel sprouts over a bed of mixed lettuce for a delicious Thanksgiving salad. Add crispy bacon bits and a warm apple cider vinegar dressing to round out the salad. Your guests will request this delicious and festive salad every year!

35. Leek, Mushroom and Escarole Salad

Prepare a simple, but delicious, Thanksgiving salad for your guests at your gathering. Combine a thinly sliced leek and sliced mushrooms over a bed of escarole. Drizzle a homemade red wine vinaigrette over the dish. This salad is easy to prepare for your special meal.

36. Southwest Salad

Elevate your Thanksgiving meal with a zesty southwest salad. Toss brown rice, cherry tomatoes, fresh avocado, corn, black beans and tortilla chips with a tangy lime vinaigrette dressing. Add roasted chicken or shrimp to complete this delicious meal.

Thanksgiving Salad Dressing Recipes

37. Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Prepare a simple vinaigrette dressing for your Thanksgiving salad using only a handful of ingredients. This dressing will add a pop of tangy flavor to each dish, whether drizzled over a fresh salad or roasted vegetables.

38. Cranberry Vinaigrette

Send your guests home with a jar of homemade cranberry vinaigrette. Craft this tart dressing from scratch for your salad and give the rest as Thanksgiving gifts to your loved ones. This dressing is perfect for any salad in the fall.

39. Caesar Dressing

Whisk together a creamy homemade Caesar dressing to drizzle over your salad. Combine garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce to create this classic dressing. Your guests will love this creamy sauce tossed with their autumn salad.

40. Buttermilk Ranch

Create ranch dressing from scratch to make the best Thanksgiving salad for your holiday meal. Or, serve this creamy dressing with a plate of crudites for a healthy appetizer before your feast. You can never go wrong with providing homemade ranch to elevate your meal.

41. Thousand Island

Prepare a thousand island dressing with a handful of ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Whisk together mayonnaise, yellow onion, ketchup, relish, lemon juice, paprika and salt. This simple dressing is perfect over a wedge salad or simple green salad.

From crafting the perfect salad for your meal to finding the best Thanksgiving activities, there are tons of ways to make your gathering memorable for your guests. Providing a fresh salad is the best way to round out the big feast with a healthy dish — and any of these salads are anything but boring! Your guests will love the nutritious and refreshing option of a festive salad to add to their Thanksgiving plate.

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