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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 you have salad on Thanksgiving? ›

On a holiday table chock-full of dishes that are rich and richer, something raw and tangy is a welcome contrast. Salad tastes good on its own, but it also makes everything around it taste better. Its crunch peps up silky-smooth mashed potatoes. Its zing brightens gravy-smothered turkey.

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 make salad more exciting? ›

How to make salad more interesting
  1. Add texture with roasted seeds or nuts. Seeds and nuts are a great salad topper. ...
  2. Make it more filling with whole grains. ...
  3. Beans and other legumes add plant-based protein. ...
  4. Fresh herbs add lots of flavour. ...
  5. Sweeten your salad with fruit. ...
  6. Make sure your salad is properly seasoned.

Does eating salads make a difference? ›

"Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

Why do people eat at 3 on Thanksgiving? ›

Why Is Thanksgiving Dinner So Early? There are many reasons, but primarily: Historically, dinner became before supper; it makes for a more relaxed day; it's simply tradition; it's more convenient for traveling guests; and, of course, to watch football.

What is the best salad dressing for picky eaters? ›

Kids do not like salad? Dress it fancy.
  • Live and learn.
  • Experimental food science in the kitchen.
  • And the winner is…….
  • Ginger miso dressing:
  • Orange salad dressing:
  • Lemon mustard salad dressing:
  • Raspberry salad dressing:

What is the best lettuce for picky eaters? ›

Romaine lettuce is a great vegetable to eat for picky eaters. It has a mild flavor that won't overwhelm the senses, and it's packed with nutrients.

What to eat 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.

How do restaurants get their salads so crisp? ›

Lettuce actually needs a good amount of airflow, in addition to a bit of moisture (but not too much!), in order to stay crisp. That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge.

How to pimp up a salad? ›

Keep It Crunchy

In a bowl of soft and tender ingredients, a little crunch goes a long way. A handful of nuts or seeds—raw or toasted—are effortless and add an extra hit of nutrition. Try adding chunks of grilled bread to make a Panzanella-style salad or go for crispy breadcrumbs if you want a lighter level of crunch.

Can you eat salad every day? ›

There is concern that the body does not easily absorb raw fruits and vegetables. Generally speaking, this has proved false. People who eat salad regularly are much more likely to fulfill their recommended intake of nutrients. Eating a salad every day is healthy because you get vital nutrients, fiber, and good fats.

Why do restaurant salads taste better than homemade? ›

Restaurants salt their salads.

"Salt is a big difference between salads at home and salads in a restaurant." This doesn't mean you have to make your salads salty! Just hold back some salt when seasoning your dressing.

Why don't homemade salads taste as good? ›

Most good restaurants season salad carefully — probably adding salt and pepper directly to the greens, not just the dressing. If you don't usually add salt to your salads, try sprinkling in a little flaky sea salt next time and see if it doesn't taste 100% better.

What is necessary for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

But a few things are guaranteed, no matter where I am or who I'm with: There will be turkey; there will be stuffing; there will be cranberry sauce, gravy, potatoes, and pie.

What are the rules for when Thanksgiving is? ›

On October 6, 1941, the House passed a joint resolution declaring the last Thursday in November to be the legal Thanksgiving Day. The Senate, however, amended the resolution establishing the holiday as the fourth Thursday, which would take into account those years when November has five Thursdays.

Should I have a cheat day on Thanksgiving? ›

When an imminent binging event like Thanksgiving rolls around, even though you might be tempted to reach for a second or third plate, limit yourself to one. Having the dishes laid out in front of you doesn't give you license to adopt an all-you-can-eat mindset.

Can you eat salad on holiday? ›

Avoid salads

This also goes for uncooked vegetables and unpeeled fruit. Again, it's the water issue. It's fairly likely that salads have been washed in non-bottled water and this can open you up to the danger of water-borne illness.

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