These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (2024)

This year, make sure the salad doesn't seem like an afterthought!

By Carly Breit and Jennifer Aldrich
These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (1)

The hardest part about Thanksgiving dinner? Choosing sides. (For the plate, not the game.) But one side dish can be all-to-easy to overlook: the salad. It can feel like an afterthought!

To help make every dish on the sideboard as tempting as possible.So we've assembled our favorite hearty Thanksgiving salad recipes. These are sturdy enough to hold their own on a piled-up plate and flavorful enough to be worth adding.

1

Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Warm Apple Cider Dressing

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (3)

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.

2

Leek, Mushroom, and Escarole Salad

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (4)

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.

3

Escarole Salad with Oranges, Pistachios, and Pickled Onions

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (5)

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.

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4

Roasted Pear, Sweet Potato, and Radicchio Salad

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (6)

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.

5

The Casa Wedge Salad

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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.

6

Big Green Winter Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (8)

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.

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7

Thanksgiving Kale Salad with Cranberries and Quinoa

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (9)

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.

8

Acorn Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette

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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.

9

Winter Citrus Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette

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

Get the recipe for Winter Citrus Salad.

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10

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.

11

Winter Greens Salad

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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.

12

Southwest Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

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

Get the recipe for Southwest Salad.

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13

Grilled Mushroom Panzanella with Tomato Vinaigrette

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (15)

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

Get the recipe for Grilled Mushroom Panzanella.

14

Bibb Salad with Pickled Onion, Fennel, and Plums

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (16)

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

Get the recipe for Bibb Salad with Pickled Onion.

15

Grilled Corn Salad with Feta, Walnuts, and Shallot

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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.

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16

Grape Salad

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (18)

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

Get the recipe for Grape Salad.

17

Chopped Salad

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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.

18

Composed Waldorf Salad

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

Get the recipe for Composed Waldorf Salad.

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19

Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad with Citrus-Maple Vinaigrette

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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.

20

Roasted Mushrooms and Radicchio

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (22)

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.

These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Make Choosing Sides Difficult (2024)

FAQs

Should salad be served at Thanksgiving? ›

A Thanksgiving salad is a great way to add color to your holiday plate. Plus, who doesn't appreciate a few bites of something light and refreshing between forkfuls of stuffing?

Which salad type is serves as a side to the main dish? ›

Side salads – to accompany the main course as a side dish; examples include potato salad and coleslaw. Main course salads – usually containing a portion of one or more high-protein foods, such as eggs, legumes, or cheese.

How do you get a picky eater to eat salad? ›

5 Ways to Get Your Kids to Love Eating Salads
  1. Keep the salad simple and fresh. When you are first introducing salads, stick to two to three ingredients, especially if your child has a picky palate. ...
  2. Size is everything. ...
  3. More color = more nutrition. ...
  4. Flavor the salad with dressing. ...
  5. Get your children involved.
Jan 13, 2018

How do you vary salads? ›

Chunks of meat such as beef, chicken or turkey can add protein, variety and flavor, and they can help satisfy your hunger. Some other protein-rich additives for salads are boiled eggs, cheese, almonds, walnuts and cashews. Try a new dressing: Consider trying a new dressing to switch up your salad's flavor.

Should salad be served first or last? ›

Traditionally, the salad follows the main course, but restaurants generally serve salad first, and people have come to believe that the practices of restaurants represent the best service.

Is just a salad enough for dinner? ›

If you follow the healthy salad formula and ensure the meal has plenty of veggies, protein and healthy fat, then it can be a great breakfast, lunch and dinner option. Be cautious of eating salad that is exclusively greens or vegetables, as it may be too low in calories, healthy fats or protein to sustain you.

What are the 5 main types of salads? ›

The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination. The five basic salads that can be served throughout the course of a meal are starter, accompaniment, main course, intermezzo, and dessert.

What is the difference of accompaniment salad and side dish salad? ›

It's usually composed of small portions of fresh vegetables, fruits, and other light ingredients, often with a dressing or vinaigrette. On the other hand, an accompaniment salad is served with the main course and is meant to complement the flavors of the dish.

What is a salad that is usually heavy and served as an entree called? ›

Cobb Salad

A Cobb is a hearty salad, so it's generally served as an entree instead of a side dish. It's made with chopped lettuce, bacon, grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, avocados, Roquefort cheese, and red wine vinaigrette.

What to do if you don't like salad? ›

Try veggies with hummus, salad dressing or yogurt-based dips. Add diced veggies such as mushrooms, onions, peppers or carrots to meatloaf or meatballs. Add vegetables as a topping on your pizza. Make a quick lettuce-free salad by adding salad dressing to matchstick carrots or sliced cucumbers.

What is the best salad dressing for picky eaters? ›

Lemon mustard salad dressing:
  • ¼ cup lemon juice.
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
  • ¾ cup olive oil.
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup.
  • Salt and pepper.

What do you feed someone who doesn't like salad? ›

See you later, sad mixed salad bags.
  • 14 healthy meals for weight loss: recipes to add to your next delivery.
  • Asian Pesto Chicken Noodle Stir Fry. ...
  • Prawn, Lime and Avocado Bowls. ...
  • Loaded Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Gluten-Free Homemade Pizza Bowls. ...
  • Vegan Quinoa and Kidney Bean Burgers. ...
  • Moroccan Lentil Stew. ...
  • Chicken and Wild Rice Soup.
Jan 17, 2024

What is the healthiest salad you can eat? ›

10 Nutrient-Dense Salad Recipes
  • Low-Carb Asian Chopped Salad.
  • Spicy Shrimp, Avocado, and Arugula Salad.
  • Tofu and Kale Salad.
  • Pear, Grape, and Feta Salad.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Salad.
  • Blood Orange and Quinoa Kale Salad.
  • Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad.
  • Roasted Chickpea and Kale Salad.
Jul 20, 2021

What can I put in my salad to make it taste better? ›

12 Easy Ways to Make Salad Taste Amazing – Seriously
  1. Make Your Salad a Spectacle. ...
  2. Mix and Match Leaves. ...
  3. Upgrade Your Salad Dressings. ...
  4. Massage Your Salad Greens. ...
  5. Toss in Cooked Veggies. ...
  6. Add Fresh Herbs. ...
  7. Sweeten with Fruit. ...
  8. Heat Your Salad Dressing.
Mar 9, 2022

What can I put in a salad to make it more interesting? ›

Add spices and flavours such as paprika, chilli flakes, curry powder, harissa or parmesan. Add acidity or sourness with vinegar, lemon juice or pomegranate molasses to transform your salad.

What is traditionally served for Thanksgiving? ›

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing (or “dressing”), and some kind of pie for dessert, typically pumpkin, apple, or pecan. Common sides are green bean casserole, scalloped corn, and roasted sweet potatoes.

When should salad be served? ›

Americans have their salads right off the bat, prelude to the main event. At the very least, salad is served alongside the main course. In Europe, however, salad is often served after dinner. It's considered a cleansing finish before cheese or dessert.

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