Salad is often an afterthought on Thanksgiving, but it shouldn’t be! That’s why I’m sharing my very favorite Thanksgiving salad recipes. These are salads that have won a place in my holiday side dish recipe folder because they’re so easy to make and easy to love. What makes a salad a Thanksgiving salad? There are a few things I look for in a terrific salad to add to a holiday dinner menu. I want salad recipes that:
- Ideally can be made ahead of time, or at least that can be mostly prepped earlier in the day.
- Celebrate fall produce! All the jewel tones come out in fall, and I want them ALL on my Thanksgiving table. Deep purple beets and radicchio, the oranges and yellows of squash and other root veggies, not to mention the deep emerald green of kale and the moody greens.
- Please a lot of different tastes. This is always the challenge, because we usually have at least 25 people at our house on Thanksgiving, and the ages range from 2 to 92. Not every dish needs to please everyone, but I do try to think about what most people will eat.
These 18 Thanksgiving salad recipes check these boxes, and have always served me well over the years. Happy Thanksgiving!
The Kale Salad
This might be my #1 favorite Thanksgiving salad! It’s so easy to make, and kale salads get a little better as they sit (within reason) so it’s perfect to make ahead. Make it again for Christmas dinner.
Radicchio Salad with Crème Fraîche Vinaigrette
Deep purple and a bit bitter, radicchio is a winter gem that I love to serve because it is so gorgeous. Each leaf looks like a still life, so you can add beauty to your table without much effort.
Celery Pear and Hazelnut Salad
Shaved celery, hazelnuts, pear and fennel bulb are tossed in a beautiful pear vinaigrette to make a beautiful crisp, lettuce-free salad you can prep ahead!
Maple Roasted Squash Salad
This salad screams Thanksgiving. It looks like a cornucopia on a plate, with yellow squash and rich maple. Kids like this one, too (maybe just leave the word ‘salad’ out of it).
Easy Fennel Salad
A stunning raw fennel salad, dressed simply with bright citrus, olive oil, parmesan and fresh mint, this is a simple, beautiful Thanksgiving salad you'll make again and again.
Grated Beet Salad
Crunchy and SO colorful, this stunning rainbow of a Thanksgiving salad adds so much life to your Thanksgiving spread. And it can be prepped mostly ahead!
Classic Wedge Salad
Thanksgiving is a deeply nostalgic holiday. We’re thinking about grandparents, great grandparents, and everyone who has been around our table over the years. That’s why a classic, old-school wedge feels so Thanksgiving-y to me.
Broccoli Salad
I know that folks love to serve this salad on Thanksgiving because this recipe gets SUPER popular every year in mid-November. I’ve never tried it, but I bet it makes a great Thanksgiving salad.
Kale Salad with Apples and Pumpkin Seed Clusters
So colorful, healthy! I love this because of the creamy apple cider vinegar dressing that finishes it off. And it can be mostly made ahead, because kale holds up so well.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Creamy Maple Dressing
Who said the Brussels have to be roasted? They're wonderful raw and shaved thin into a mound in this lovely and sophisticated salad.
Endive Salad
Endive is another beautiful winter lettuce, with a delicate bitter flavor and tender crisp leaves. It’s elegant without trying.
Arugula Salad
This has to be tossed together at the last minute, but it’s simple and fast. Spicy arugula provides a beautiful contrast to all the heavy Thanksgiving dishes.
Roasted Beet Salad
Roast the beets and carrots ahead, and you’ve got a really easy, jewel-toned salad that’ll add color and nutrition to your Thanksgiving table!
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
This hearty salad is definitely veering into side dish territory, but it’s a terrific addition to your turkey day menu no matter what you call it.
Fruit Salad
My mother in law often brings a fruit salad to Thanksgiving, and you know what? It is actually genius! There have been so many years when all my kids eat is that fruit salad (and half a can of whipped cream).
Simple Butter Lettuce Salad
Butter lettuce is a year round fave. It’s tender, sweet, and beautiful. You need to make it at the last minute, but it’s always, always a hit.
Fig & Goat Cheese Salad
This one falls into the “kid-pleaser” category. Sweet figs in an orange juice-sweetened dressing? You really can’t go wrong.
Red Cabbage and Apple Slaw
I adore this crunchy, sweet, crisp salad. It’s a breath of brisk autumn air on Thanksgiving and brings a lovely bit of health and vibrance to a very brown meal.
