These Thanksgiving salad recipes are some of my all-time favorites for bringing a little freshness and color to the holiday table.
From hearty grain bowls to bright fruit-topped greens, there is truly something here for every guest, and I promise these dishes will hold their own right next to the turkey and stuffing.
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Classic Green Salads
A crisp green salad is the perfect counterpoint to all those rich, buttery Thanksgiving sides, light enough to leave room for dessert but flavorful enough to earn a spot on the plate.
Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad
This salad combines crisp apple, tart cranberries, and buttery pecans for a classic fall combination that feels light and festive alongside heavier holiday dishes.
Make this recipe:
Apple Cranberry Pecan SaladPhoto and recipe: Blogghetti
Honeycrisp Apple and Blue Cheese Autumn Salad
Honeycrisp apple and bold blue cheese make a surprisingly harmonious pair, bringing sweet crunch and savory richness that wakes up a traditional Thanksgiving plate.
Make this recipe:
Honeycrisp Apple and Blue Cheese Autumn SaladPhoto and recipe: The Foul-Mouth Gourmet
Pomegranate & Pear Green Salad with Ginger Dressing
Juicy pomegranate seeds, ripe Bartlett pear, and Honeycrisp apple nestle into fresh greens with a ginger dressing, making this one of the most beautiful salads on the holiday table.
Make this recipe:
Pomegranate & Pear Green Salad with Ginger DressingPhoto and recipe: Cookie and Kate
Shredded Brussels Sprouts & Arugula Salad with Sunshine Dressing
Shredded Brussels sprouts and peppery arugula come together in a crisp, filling salad with a bright sunshine dressing, hearty enough to satisfy but fresh enough to balance the feast.
Make this recipe:
Shredded Brussels Sprouts & Arugula Salad with Sunshine DressingPhoto and recipe: Cookie and Kate
Spinach Gorgonzola Salad with Pear and Pomegranate
Baby spinach, creamy Gorgonzola, crisp pears, and pomegranate bring Italian-inspired flair to the Thanksgiving table in a salad that looks as festive as it tastes.
Make this recipe:
Spinach Gorgonzola Salad with Pear and PomegranatePhoto and recipe: Maplevine Kitchen
Harvest Grain Salads
Grain salads bring satisfying, chewy texture and earthy depth that round out a Thanksgiving spread beautifully, and they hold up well on a buffet table for hours.
Farro with Roasted Butternut Squash
Nutty farro pairs with balsamic-roasted butternut squash and deeply toasted walnuts for a warm, earthy grain salad that feels right at home among Thanksgiving's cozy flavors.
Make this recipe:
Farro with Roasted Butternut SquashPhoto and recipe: 101 Cookbooks
Wild Rice Salad with Sweet Potato, Cherries and Pecans
Wild rice, roasted sweet potato, and tart cherries come together with a tangy apple cider vinegar and miso dressing for a vegan salad that is as nourishing as it is colorful.
Make this recipe:
Wild Rice Salad with Sweet Potato, Cherries and PecansPhoto and recipe: One Green Planet
Sweet Potato Quinoa Black Bean Salad
Roasted sweet potato and quinoa get a zesty lime dressing and hearty black beans, making a filling, make-ahead friendly salad that balances the richness of a Thanksgiving feast.
Make this recipe:
Sweet Potato Quinoa Black Bean SaladPhoto and recipe: Well Plated by Erin Clarke
Winter Wheat Berry Salad with Cranberries and Walnuts
Chewy wheat berries studded with cranberries and walnuts make a satisfying, wholesome salad that adds great texture and heartiness to the holiday spread.
Make this recipe:
Winter Wheat Berry Salad with Cranberries and WalnutsPhoto and recipe: Recipe Idea Shop
Roasted Vegetable Salads
Roasted vegetables add warmth and caramelized flavor to the salad course, making them feel right at home alongside the cozy, oven-roasted main dishes of the holiday.
Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts, Goat Cheese & Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette
Sweet roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts come together with a honey-Dijon vinaigrette in a salad that hits every flavor note and looks stunning on the table.
Make this recipe:
Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts, Goat Cheese & Honey-Dijon VinaigrettePhoto and recipe: Once Upon a Chef
Roasted Carrot Salad
Cumin-roasted carrots bring unexpected warmth and spice to this unique salad, with feta and walnuts adding creamy and crunchy contrast that pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey.
Make this recipe:
Roasted Carrot SaladPhoto and recipe: Perry's Plate
Maple Roasted Delicata Squash Salad
Maple-roasted delicata squash tops a bed of greens with dried cranberries, avocado, feta, and candied pecans, all brought together with a simple balsamic vinaigrette.
Make this recipe:
Maple Roasted Delicata Squash SaladPhoto and recipe: Two Peas & Their Pod
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries
Roasted Brussels sprouts mingle with cranberries, fresh grapes, cheese, and pecans, finished with lemon juice and a balsamic glaze drizzle for a no-fuss, impressive side.
Make this recipe:
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with CranberriesPhoto and recipe: Cooking For My Soul
Fruit-Forward Salads
Fruit-forward salads bring a bright, sweet-tart pop that cuts through the richness of Thanksgiving classics and makes the whole meal feel a little more celebratory.
Apple and Pear Salad with Balsamic Maple Cinnamon Dressing
Apple and pear slices shine alongside Gorgonzola and walnuts, all dressed in a balsamic maple cinnamon vinaigrette that feels unmistakably autumnal and festive.
Make this recipe:
Apple and Pear Salad with Balsamic Maple Cinnamon DressingPhoto and recipe: Domestic Dreamboat
Mandarin Orange Salad
Sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy almonds, and fresh spinach come together with a quick homemade vinaigrette for a bright, refreshing salad that lightens up a heavy holiday meal.
Make this recipe:
Mandarin Orange SaladPhoto and recipe: Joanie Simon
Cranberry, Goat Cheese, and Pecan Salad
Tart cranberries, creamy goat cheese, and toasted pecans over mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette make an easy, gluten-free salad that looks gorgeous on a Thanksgiving buffet.
Make this recipe:
Cranberry, Goat Cheese, and Pecan SaladPhoto and recipe: Bowl of Delicious
Spinach Salad with Roasted Grapes, Feta, and Walnuts
Warm, roasted grapes bring an unexpected sticky-sweet richness to fresh spinach, while feta and toasted walnuts add creamy and crunchy layers to every bite.
Make this recipe:
Spinach Salad with Roasted Grapes, Feta, and WalnutsPhoto and recipe: Happy Healthy Mama
Chopped & Slaw Salads
Chopped and slaw-style salads are sturdy, make-ahead friendly, and add satisfying crunch to a spread that can otherwise lean toward soft and starchy.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples & Walnuts
Shaved raw Brussels sprouts paired with crisp apples and walnuts create a crunchy, fresh salad that holds up beautifully on a Thanksgiving table without wilting.
Make this recipe:
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples & WalnutsPhoto and recipe: Once Upon a Chef
Fall Kale Salad
This simple fall kale salad is sturdy, flexible, and easy to throw together, making it a reliable and crowd-pleasing addition to any Thanksgiving spread.
Make this recipe:
Fall Kale SaladPhoto and recipe: onebalancedlife.com
Sweet Potato Salad with Cranberries and Pecans
Sweet potato tossed with cranberries and pecans makes a colorful, hearty salad with wonderful sweet-tart contrast that complements all the savory flavors of a Thanksgiving dinner.
Make this recipe:
Sweet Potato Salad with Cranberries and PecansPhoto and recipe: Homesick Texan
I hope one of these salads earns a permanent spot on your Thanksgiving table. Happy cooking!



























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