Here Are Thanksgiving Salads You’ll Actually Want to Eat

thanksgiving salads
34 Thanksgiving Salads You’ll Actually Want to EatBecky Luigart-Stayner

When it comes to Thanksgiving, the hardest decision is often choosing sides. But all too often, there's one side that's easy to skip: the salad.

When you've got creamy mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, sweet cranberry relish, and tender turkey all piled up next to each other, why make room for a semi-wilted bowl of out-of-season greens with a barely red tomato on top?

But a pile of leafy greens on the table with all the heavier dishes is a welcome sight! So let's use in-season greens (oh, hello kale, radiccio, and Brussels sprouts). Fill it out with flavorful seasonal veggies. Add some necessary crunchiness to those plates, and a dressing that helps cut through all those other rich foods. There's no reason why we can't make a Thanksgiving salad that people will actually want to eat!

Here, we've rounded up our best fall and winter recipes for Thanksgiving salads that are sure to go with any Thanksgiving menu, whether you're hosting the feast yourself or attending a Friendsgiving potluck.

More Great Stories and Recipes:


Harvest Salad with Pickled Pomegranate Seeds

Sweet, crunchy apple, creamy crumbled goat cheese, a tangy cider vinaigrette, rich roasted squash. And to top it all off? Quick-pickled pomegranate seeds.

You can pickle them in just about the time it takes to make the rest of the salad, and the result takes this salad from good to give-me-that-recipe great.

Get the recipe for Harvest Salad with Pickled Pomegranate Seeds.

winter greens salad with pickled pomegranate seeds
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Pecan, Kale, and Parmesan Salad

Here, hearty kale is gently bruised with oil to make it soft, then covered in an absolutely delightful dressing of maple syrup, apple vinegar, mustard, and bacon. Topped with crunchy pecans, creamy avocado, and peppery radishes, it'll practically upstage the main dish!

Get the recipe for Pecan, Kale, and Parmesan Salad.

pecan, kale, and parmesan salad
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Radicchio Pumpkin Salad with Tahini Dressing

Want a salad that's hearty enough to hold its own among the stuffing, sweet potatoes, and other sides? This is the one.

Get the recipe for Radicchio Pumpkin Salad with Tahini Dressing.

radicchio pumpkin salad with tahini dressing
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Roasted Fennel-and-Beet Salad

The real secret to this lick-your-fork salad is the vanilla-honey-citrus vinaigrette. Trust us: This dish is no Thanksgiving plate-filler!

Get the recipe for Roasted Fennel-and-Beet Salad.

roasted fennel and beet salad
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Warm Apple Cider Dressing

Skip the roasted sprouts side this year, and serve 'em up as a salad instead. Trust us: One bit of this tangy, richy, cider-and-bacon laced dish and the family won't let you make them any other way.

Get the recipe for Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad.

shaved brussels sprouts with bacon and warm apple cider dressing
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Leek, Mushroom, and Escarole Salad

Calling all mushroom lovers! Your favorite mix, liberally drizzled in a delicious vinaigrette, is the reason to make this.

Get the recipe for Leek, Mushroom, and Escarole Salad.

leek, mushroom, and escarole salad
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Escarole Salad with Oranges, Pistachios, and Pickled Onions

We can't get over how well-balanced this wintry citrus salad is, with sweet slices of fruit, tart pickled onions, and earthy nuts topping the mildly bitter greens.

Get the recipe for Escarole Salad with Oranges, Pistachios, and Pickled Onions.

escarole salad with oranges, pistachios, and pickled onions
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Roasted Pear, Sweet Potato, and Radicchio Salad

Here's a salad that'll stand up to all the other sides on your plate. Crunchy seeds and rich blue cheese make this a real flavorful addition.

Get the recipe for Roasted Pear, Sweet Potato, and Radicchio Salad.

roasted pear, sweet potato, and radicchio salad
Becky Luigart-Stayner


The Casa Wedge Salad

Want to make salad it's own course at the Thanksgiving feast? A wedge salad is a classic choice. We love this version, which has a kicky Creamy Avocado Dressing.

Get the recipe for The Casa Wedge Salad.

the casa wedge salad
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Big Green Winter Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Come holiday time it's easy to get focused on the main dishes and heavier sides—your turkey, your stuffing, your casseroles—and forget about the salad. With sweet golden beets, lightly toasted pine nuts, and a kicky vinaigrette all on a bed of hearty kale, this recipe is here to change all that.

Get the recipe for Big Green Winter Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette.

big green winter salad with lemon vinaigrette
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Thanksgiving Kale Salad with Cranberries and Quinoa

This beauty takes a little work, but you can make most of the elements a few days—or even a week—ahead. And the "oohs" and "ahhs" you'll get from the table will be worth it.

Get the recipe for Kale Salad with Cranberries and Quinoa.

kale salad with pickled cranberries and crispy quinoa
Hector M. Sanchez


Acorn Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette

Fun fact: Salad doesn't necessarily mean raw.

Case in point: This rustic roasted squash sensation, peppered with baby kale and drizzled with a dip-worthy dressing.

Get the recipe for Acorn Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette.

acorn squash salad with tahini vinaigrette
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Winter Citrus Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette

Three kinds of citrus give this crunchy salad a ton of fun flavors!

Get the recipe for Winter Citrus Salad.

winter citrus salad with shallot vinaigrette
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Simple Green Salad

Some Feta and mild green olives give this light side salad a lot of oomph. Get the freshest greens you can find and dress them simply in lemon and oil.

Get the recipe for Simple Green Salad.

a big green salad with butter lettuce, green olives, feta cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, and thin slices of cucumber
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Winter Greens Salad

Rosemary-Parm croutons, a citrus-maple dressing, and all our favorite winter greens—kale, chard, collards—give this salad enough heft that it'll easily hold its own with the turkey and mashed potatoes.

Get the recipe for Winter Greens Salad.

winter greens salad
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Southwest Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Looking for a way to add cornbread to the table? This'll do it.

Get the recipe for Southwest Salad.

salad
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Grilled Mushroom Panzanella with Tomato Vinaigrette

Bread salad with a variety of toasty mushrooms—make this a part of your grilled Thanksgiving menu.

Get the recipe for Grilled Mushroom Panzanella.

grilled mushroom panzanella with tomato vinaigrette
Hector M. Sanchez


Bibb Salad with Pickled Onion, Fennel, and Plums

Here's a light side salad that's nevertheless long on flavor.

Get the recipe for Bibb Salad with Pickled Onion.

bibb salad with pickled onion, fennel, and plums
Hector M. Sanchez


Grilled Corn Salad with Feta, Walnuts, and Shallot

Corn is a Thanksgiving staple, but that doesn't mean that it has to be on the cob!

Get the recipe for Grilled Corn Salad.

grilled corn salad with feta, walnuts, and shallot
William Dickey


Grape Salad

Brown sugar and toasted pecans give this fruity salad some extra flavor and crunch.

Get the recipe for Grape Salad.

grape salad in a bowl with pecans and brown sugar in smaller bowls near by
Brian Woodcock


Chopped Salad

The purpose of a Thanksgiving salad is to give your guests a break from the heavier fare on the table. That's why we love the idea of dressing yours with a simple, tangy red wine vinaigrette, loading it with crunchy Persian cucumbers, and topping it all off with a smattering of local parsley, basil, and fennel.

Get the recipe for Chopped Salad.

thanksgiving chopped salad recipe
Brian Woodcock


Composed Waldorf Salad

Add color into your family's Thanksgiving dinner with this refined version of the classic Waldorf salad.

Get the recipe for Composed Waldorf Salad.

waldorf salad on a platter with all ingredients arranged separately and dressing on the side
Brian Woodcock


Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad with Citrus-Maple Vinaigrette

This may be the ultimate Thanksgiving salad. Crispy roasted sprouts combine with mixed lettuce, crunchy apples, toasted almonds, and nutty asiago cheese, all topped with a sweet vinaigrette. Trust us, the bowl will quickly get emptied.

Get the recipe for Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad.

crispy brussels sprouts salad in a bowl on a tablecloth with cheese and fruit and nuts near by
Erin Kunkel


Roasted Mushrooms and Radicchio

For those who enjoy bold flavors, this mix of bitter radicchio tamed with earthy mushrooms and a sweet balsamic dressing is the perfect celebration.

Get the recipe for Roasted Mushrooms and Radicchio.

roasted mushrooms and radicchio on a platter garnished with parsley
Becky Luigart-Stayner


Winter Chopped Salad

We're pretty sure there isn't a more appropriate salad to place on your fall menu than one that's packed with cold-weather vegetables. This one features beets, cauliflower, cucumber, and more.

Get the recipe for Winter Chopped Salad.

winter chopped salad in a wooden bowl on a table
Brian Woodcock


Sweet Potato-and-Cauliflower Salad

Searching for a new way to serve sweet potatoes during Thanksgiving dinner? Look no further than this salad that pairs the root vegetable with cauliflower.

Get the recipe for Sweet Potato-and-Cauliflower Salad.

sweet potato and cauliflower salad on a platter
Brian Woodcock


Honey-Drizzled Citrus Salad with Pistachio-Poppy Seed Granola

This gorgeous fruit salad will bring a bright pop of color to the table, as well as offering some tart flavors to help counter the starchier sides.

Get the recipe for Honey-Drizzled Citrus Salad.

citrus slices on a platter with pomegranate seeds and lime rinds to garnish
Brian Woodcock


Corn Salad with Bacon and Honey

You'll be amazed how great this salad tastes with only six ingredients and 30 minutes of prep time.

Get the recipe for Corn Salad with Bacon and Honey.

corn salad with bacon and honey
Dana Gallagher


Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Chopped apple, hazelnuts, and Pecorino cheese...plus Brussels sprouts? Sign us up!

Get the recipe for Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad.

shaved brussels sprouts salad
Brian Woodcock


Apple-Walnut Spinach Salad

This classic fall salad would fit with any Thanksgiving feast. Apples, walnuts, and a maple vinaigrette make it extra yummy.

Get the recipe for Apple-Walnut Spinach Salad.

applewalnut spinach salad
Kana Okada


Green Salad with Roasted Carrots and Creamy Tarragon Dressing

Complemented by fresh tarragon and crisp butter lettuce, there's no doubt that these roasted carrots will be a real crowd-pleaser.

Get the recipe for Green Salad with Roasted Carrots.

green salad with roasted carrots on top in a wooden bowl on a table
Brian Woodcock


Tossed Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

Of course, one of the best salads is the most classic: Tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, and cucumber in a tangy homemade dressing.

Get the recipe for Tossed Salad with Green Goddess Dressing.

tossed salad with green goddess dressing
Brian Woodcock


Marinated Mushroom-and-Charred Broccolini Salad

Marinated and grilled, this hot-salad assembly of veggies will help you feel better about digging into all those Thanksgiving sweets after dinner.

Get the recipe for Marinated Mushroom-and-Charred Broccolini Salad.

marinated mushroom and charred broccolini salad on a picnic table
Brian Woodcock


Farro-and-Acorn Squash Salad

Though we love this picnic-ready grain salad for warm weekends outdoors, it's also hearty and delicious as a make-ahead Thanksgiving salad

Get the recipe for Farro-and-Acorn Squash Salad.

farro and acorn squash salad in mason jars at a picnic
Brian Woodcock

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