23 Creative Thanksgiving Salads
Don't let the turkey get all the credit - these salads, made with special ingredients like pomegranates and roasted fennel, will impress your guests.
Don't let the turkey get all the credit - these salads, made with special ingredients like pomegranates and roasted fennel, will impress your guests.
"This is one of the best salads I've ever had. I made an orange juice dressing with oil, sugar and a little cinnamon."
-Chef Crystal Cooks
"This is a terrific, healthy and filling salad. I garnished it with chopped cilantro, but next time I might mix the cilantro right into the salad."
-*Parsley*
"I really enjoyed the flavor the balsamic vinegar added to this dish. It was very easy to assemble."
-Kellie in SLO
"The different flavors of the sweet, crisp apple with the nutty almonds, fresh lettuce and tangy-sweet dressing are so good together."
-Lalaloula
This pretty quinoa salad, studded with gemlike dried cranberries, is delicious — but still light enough to leave room for the main attraction.
"The warm goat cheese was perfect! I loved how the garlic balanced the sweetness of the pomegranate seeds and persimmons."
-Brooke the Cook in WI
Crunchy fried cauliflower and fresh parsley give this Thanksgiving salad unexpected taste and texture. For the best flavor, use flat-leaf parsley.
Need a speedy Thanksgiving side? Canned beets mean this gorgeous salad is ready to hit the table in just 10 minutes.
"I loved the sweetness of the pumpkin and all the different textures in this salad. It was yummy!"
-Chef floWer
"This was refreshing and comforting. I blended the dressing ingredients, using scallions in place of the shallots, and used fresh baby greens."
-Rita~
"Delicious! I made this with fresh green beans and chopped plum tomatoes. I also sauteed the pine nuts for just a minute in some butter."
-MizzNezz
"I've been making this salad for years! If you can't find a fresh orange, canned mandarins work great. Also, grinding the cranberries is a snap with a food processor!"
-Breezytoo
"One of the nicest marinated salads we have tried. I was delighted with the subtle taste of the bay leaf.
-Debbwl
"This was a delicious and sweet side dish! I brought it to a friend's house for dinner last night, and he couldn't stop complimenting me about it!"
-Kree
"I loved the garlic-and-cracker combo with the walnuts and cheese. The cooking method for the sprouts was perfect, and the flavor was great."
-loof
"You can't go wrong with this combination! The dressing is simple but perfect — it adds just a splash of sweet citrus."
-*Parsley*
"Perfect for autumn! Choose squash that are heavy for their size (the heavier the squash, the tastier!) and have dull, rather than shiny, rinds."
-UmmBinat
"The wild rice's nutty flavor is complemented by the sweetness of the currants and apples, while the bell pepper adds a fresh touch."
-Lalaloula
"The Parmesan cheese melts into the fennel and creates a wonderful flavor! I roasted the fennel for about an hour, because I had large bulbs."
-Chef*Lee
You can prep this exotic dessert salad the night before, which makes it the perfect Thanksgiving side for busy home cooks.
Looking for something a little heartier? This bread salad featuring sausage, apples and three varieties of bread is your best bet.
"I love hearts of palm on salad. Marinating them is a great way to inject flavor."
-Maito
Tired of leftover turkey sandwiches? This satisfying salad makes a great lunch for the entire family, and it's table-ready in less than 20 minutes.