From leafy green bowls to grain-based dishes, these seasonal sides are bursting with fall flavor. Here are the best Thanksgiving salad recipes to make this year.
31 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes for Your Holiday Table
Updated on Oct. 05, 2024
1/31
Favorite Mediterranean Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
28 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Got a crowd coming over for a backyard barbecue? This crisp, big-batch Mediterranean salad recipe makes a great accompaniment to any main dish you fix on the grill. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas
A refreshing take on the romaine salad, this salad recipe adds a colorful splash to the holiday table thanks to its cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, feta and Greek olives. Love to prepare Thanksgiving dinner in advance? This salad can be made ahead of time and dressed just before dinner.
2/31
Butternut Squash Panzanella Salad
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This colorful salad is easy to make, and it's even easier if you use precut chunks of butternut squash. You can use pecans in place of the almonds or watercress instead of the arugula or spinach. —Nancy Buchanan, Costa Mesa, California
Making 8 servings, this fall recipe is perfect for serving at any mid-size holiday gathering. The key to its success? Precut chunks of butternut squash. You can also make substitutes depending on what ingredients you have on hand. Pecans are great in place of the almonds, and watercress works well instead of the arugula or spinach.
3/31
Bacon Caesar Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Family and friends always say my Caesar salad rivals any restaurant version. The addition of bacon is a little untraditional, but it lends a slightly smoky flavor and makes it unique. —Sharon Tipton, Winter Garden, Florida
Bring the reliability and creaminess of a restaurant-quality Caesar salad to your table with a recipe that doesn’t complicate. With crispy bacon for a bit of texture and saltiness, even the salad skeptics at the table will dig in.
4/31
Roasted Pear Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Oven-roasted pears take the ho-hum out of this green salad created by our Test Kitchen staff. They tossed together a good-for-you medley of mellow pear slices, crispy greens, nuts and dried cranberries. The creamy dressing carries yet more pear flavor, sweetened with just a touch of honey.
This fantastical fall salad comes together in a bowl full of color and texture. Sweet roasted pears marry with tart cranberries, crunchy hazelnuts and watercress, bringing tons of sweetness to your bowl. Once everything is dressed in this light vinaigrette, you’ll have a hard time keeping this off of guests’ plates.
5/31
World’s Best Kale Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Instead of your average dinner salad, try a kale salad. I didn't like kale until I made this! —Kathryn Egly, Colorado Springs, Colorado
The crunchy, dark green leaves of kale stand up well to the light, olive oil-based dressing for this salad. Parmesan and blue cheese make the salad unbeatable while the cranberries and almonds give us the nutty sweetness we love most in fall salads.
6/31
Mushroom Panzanella
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My fresh take on classic Italian bread salad pairs well with grilled or roasted meats. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia
Pillows of sourdough meet tomatoes and an assemblage of mushrooms with warmed goat cheese for a dish so comforting you’ll want to curl up and eat the whole thing. Pine nuts, golden raisins and spicy arugula are the high notes in this luxurious flavor gold mine.
7/31
Boston Lettuce with Roasted Red Onions
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Forget boring tossed salads! This Boston lettuce salad will have your guests asking for the recipe. Top with bacon, or substitute feta for the Gorgonzola for a change of taste. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama
The day before Thanksgiving, you’ll fill the kitchen with the intoxicating scent of roasting red onion, a perfect invitation to the oncoming feast. This salad tucks those magenta layers into a beautiful head of Boston lettuce, and adds dots of Gorgonzola and walnuts into this rich take on the “wedge”. A dose of acid from a refreshing orange and balsamic vinaigrette makes this salad bright and assertive.
8/31
Pomegranate Splash Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The sparkling pomegranate gems make this salad irresistibly beautiful. My family loves it at holiday gatherings when pomegranates are in season. Even the children can't get enough of this antioxidant-rich delight. —Emily Jamison, Champaign, Illinois
Refresh everyone’s palate with this callback to summer. Cool baby spinach leaves provide a platform for some briny feta cheese. There are so many flavors here to focus on—your tongue popping the juicy pomegranate seeds and sweet raspberries, the earthiness of pine nuts and a surprisingly tart cranberry and rice vinegar dressing.
9/31
Prosciutto, Pear & Burrata Salad
Total Time
10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The idea for this salad came to me when we ordered a restaurant appetizer that was prosciutto, burrata, a little arugula and olive oil. I was inspired to make it into a salad with just a few more ingredients. You can try the salad with melon or peaches instead of pears. —Emily Miles, Sherman Oaks, California
This might be the classiest salad offering your fork will ever find. Prosciutto and fresh burrata meet spicy arugula for a wonderful textural blend. Sweet red pears and capers add a layer of complexity, and the whole shebang needs nothing more than a light dressing of olive oil and balsamic.
10/31
Turnip Greens Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My Turnip Greens Salad was created using items from my garden. Because most people cook turnip greens, I wanted to present those same greens in a way that would retain their nutrient content. You could also add different kinds of meat to this salad. I have used cooked shrimp, chicken or beef. —James McCarroll, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
To keep things interesting, switch out the greens in your basic garden salad with the dark, vitamin-rich green of turnip leaves. A classic Dijon vinaigrette brings together classic ingredients like cucumber, red onion and tomato, and invites some surprising bites of cranberries and feta. A pinch of cayenne gives this unintimidating salad an unexpected punch.
11/31
Bacon Pear Salad with Parmesan Dressing
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple salad is an elegant side dish for any menu. With a blend of fresh pears and warm, comforting flavors, it’s perfect for special meals. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Hearkening to a summer picnic table, this fall adaptation has a little of something for everyone. Kale, bacon and pepper jack make a hearty base, while pears add a crunch under the dressing of creamy Dijon and mayonnaise.
12/31
Shredded Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This salad is a simple and delicious way to eat your superfoods! It gets even better after it sits for a while in the fridge, so I make it ahead. I use my homemade honey mustard dressing, but any type works just fine. —Alexandra Weisser, New York, New York
Bursting with vitamins and minerals, this powerhouse salad will ensure you get your daily vegetable intake and then some this holiday season. Make this Thanksgiving salad in advance—letting it chill in the fridge is key to allowing the flavors to meld. In need of some sweetness? A ripe pear can be quite the addition.
13/31
Brussels Sprouts & Quinoa Salad
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With Brussels sprouts for the green and cranberries for the red, I make a cheery Christmastime salad. Refreshing and versatile, it works with any kind of nut or dried fruit. —Cameron Stell, Los Angeles, California
Full of festive color and flair, this Thanksgiving salad recipe is easy to modify—it works well with just about any nuts or dried fruit you have in stock.
14/31
Harvest Salad with Cherry Vinaigrette
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings (1 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Mixed greens and plenty of produce make this salad so satisfying, and it's gorgeous to serve for special occasions. —Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids, Michigan
If Thanksgiving is a holiday of bounty, nothing will impress like this harvest salad. Piled with color, crunch, flavor and texture, each forkful will yield a bevy of ingredients. Earthy beets and apples bring color before you embark on a rainbow of vegetables: carrots, red and yellow tomatoes and spring mixed greens.
15/31
Cran-Orange Couscous Salad
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I often create salads for summer using a variety of healthy, filling grains. This version with tender couscous is amped up by the bright flavors of oranges, cranberries, basil and a touch of fennel. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
When it comes to Thanksgiving salad recipes, this contest-winning dish takes the cake. Featuring freshly chopped navel oranges, cranberries and a touch of fennel, it’s the perfect dish to pair with your holiday feast.
16/31
Grilled Apple Tossed Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The grilled apples in this salad combine so well with the blue cheese, walnuts and balsamic dressing. I like to serve it on pink Depression glass dessert plates from my great-grandmother. —Paul Soska, Toledo, Ohio
A tangy, homemade balsamic dressing pairs well with sweet, tender grilled apples in this quick and filling Thanksgiving salad. Wondering what apple to use here? Check out our guide to the best apples for baking, cooking and eating!
17/31
Winter Beet Salad
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To save a little time on this sweet and savory beet salad, we recommend using packaged salad greens in this original recipe. The simple dressing is easy to assemble. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
For fans of roasted beets, this is one of the best Thanksgiving salad recipes. And it’s well worth the time it takes to come together. Take a shortcut by using packaged salad greens—just be sure to wash them.
18/31
Pear Harvest Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We came up with this delicious salad trying to use up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving. We think you'll love it, too! —Nancy Prewitt, Beaverton, Oregon
End up with way too much leftover turkey? Turn it into a delicious day-after-Thanksgiving salad recipe! The addition of cubed avocados, honey-roasted almonds and pears make this harvest salad not only hearty but healthy as well.
19/31
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The first time my friends tasted my new side dish, they said it was phenomenal. The longer you let it chill in the fridge, the more tender the sprouts will be. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
For a low-calorie salad for your holiday party, look no further than this flavorful Thanksgiving salad recipe! The key to tender Brussels sprouts is refrigerating the salad for as long as possible before serving.
20/31
Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider Vinaigrette
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We bought loads of apples and needed to use them. To help the flavors come alive, I roasted the apples and tossed them with a sweet dressing. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
You’ll find all the best flavors of fall in this harvest salad recipe, like apples, maple syrup and toasted pecans. It’s also the perfect fall dish to make if you have extra fruit after going apple picking.
21/31
Lemon Cranberry Quinoa Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As the family cook, I appreciate how easy this is to throw together on a busy weeknight. Plus, this salad never gets boring. One of my favorite variations is to substitute diced fresh mango for the cranberries, cilantro for the parsley, and lime for the lemon juice and zest. —Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois
Coming together in 30 minutes, this quick Thanksgiving salad recipe is light and lettuce-free. Don’t like cranberries or parsley? Try using diced fresh mangoes and cilantro instead.
22/31
Sweet Potato Salad
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tender sweet potatoes are tossed with crunchy nuts and chewy dried cherries for a burst of flavors and textures. —Fran Fehling, Staten Island, New York
23/31
Wendy’s Apple Pomegranate Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandparents grew pomegranates, pecans and walnuts and would send us some each year. Some of my best memories are the days I used to spend with my grandmother learning how to cook with her. Whenever I make this, it's like having lunch with my grandmother again. —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan
A longtime favorite, this tart Thanksgiving salad recipe is sure to create unforgettable memories when served at your next holiday feast. Best of all, it’s ready in just 20 minutes and is only 165 calories a serving!
24/31
Kale & Bacon Salad with Honey-Horseradish Vinaigrette
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Totally scrumptious and packed with nutrition, this salad was my response to friends who asked how they could incorporate kale into their diets without sacrificing taste. It is also wonderful made with collard or mustard greens, prepared in the same fashion as the kale, or with a mix of spinach & arugula or watercress. —Elizabeth Warren, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Uncompromising on taste, this flavorful Thanksgiving salad showcases kale, a highly nutritious green and incredible superfood. Not a fan of this leafy green? Use collards, mustard greens or a mix of spinach and arugula instead.
25/31
Pomegranate Persimmon Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To bring some sunshine to the table, I toss up a bright salad of persimmons and pomegranate seeds, dressed with a puckery vinaigrette. —Linda Tambunan, Dublin, California
Add some sunshine to your fall table with this quick fall salad. It’s ready in just 15 minutes, so guests will be able to enjoy how the sweet, bright persimmons interact with the dish’s puckery homemade vinaigrette.
26/31
Wilted Spinach Salad with Butternut Squash
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Make quick work of peeling butternut squash. First, prick it with a fork and give it 45 seconds in the microwave. Then, trim an inch from the base of the squash, making it stand up straight and tall while you run the peeler from top to bottom. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
The epitome of Thanksgiving salad recipes, this dish feels exactly like fall. A decadent start to your holiday meal, the warm balsamic vinaigrette is key to transforming the salad’s simple ingredients into something special. First time sauteing squash? Here’s how to safely peel and cut winter squash.
27/31
Roquefort Pear Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests at a barbecue we hosted one summer brought this cool, refreshing salad. Now it's a mainstay at many of our gatherings year-round. The mingling of zesty tastes and textures instantly wakes up the taste buds. —Sherry Duval, Baltimore, Maryland
Ready in 20 minutes, this seriously quick Thanksgiving salad is perfect for a large crowd—it makes enough for 10 servings and, aside from the dressing, only requires five ingredients! Not a fan of mustard vinaigrette? Try it with this homemade blue cheese dressing instead.
28/31
Sweet Potato & Chickpea Salad
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Take this colorful dish to the buffet at a family gathering, or enjoy it as a great meal all by itself. —Brenda Gleason, Hartland, Wisconsin
Perfect for a holiday potluck, this Thanksgiving salad recipe is light on the calories, but its flavors are through the roof! For an added crunch, roast the chickpeas in the oven alongside the sweet potatoes.
29/31
Citrus & Roasted Beets Salad
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Glistening citrus and beets star in this colorful, tangy salad. It's a refreshing mix of bright flavors—just add chicken and it's a complete meal. —Peter Eldridge, Clermont, Florida
This recipe is great if you’re looking to add some color to your holiday table. The roasted beets add a rich earthiness, which is balanced out by the tart pieces of citrus. Want to make this salad more filling? Add some shredded turkey.
30/31
Hot Spinach Apple Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With a light sweet-tangy dressing, the spinach doesn’t wilt and the apples retain their crunch. We serve this salad with homemade bread. —Denise Albers, Freeburg, Illinois
Six ingredients and 20 minutes are all you need to bring one of our favorite Thanksgiving salad recipes to life. This holiday potluck recipe makes 10 servings of fresh green goodness!
31/31
Cranberry-Pecan Wheat Berry Salad
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to experiment with different grains and wanted to give wheat berries a try. My whole family goes nuts for this salad, especially my mom. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
The addition of wheat berries makes this lettuce-free Thanksgiving salad recipe a filling meal all by itself. Can’t find wheat berries? Instead, use kamut, a high-protein ancient grain.
