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Salad might not be the first dish to come to mind when planning your Thanksgiving menu, but don’t forget about it. There are some really great Thanksgiving salad recipes to choose from, which can be served as an appetizer or enjoyed as a side dish. Seasonal ingredients like kale, farro and root veggies feature in some of these, and these hearty fall salads are well worth adding to your Thanksgiving spread this year.
Savoury Steak and Squash Salad
This steak and squash salad with apple maple dressing and cranberries is a delicious and unique option that can be enjoyed year-round. With its savory flavors and satisfying combination of steak, squash, and greens, it’s a must-try recipe for anyone looking for a delicious and filling meal salad.
Get the Recipe: Savoury Steak and Squash Salad
Smoked Italian Pasta Salad
Add some smoky flavour to your favorite pasta salad with this delicious smoked Italian pasta salad recipe. Packed with pepperoni, salami, mozzarella cheese, and a pepperoncini dressing, it’s the perfect dish for your summer BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Italian Pasta Salad
Roasted Butternut or Pumpkin Feta Arugula Rocket Salad
Roasted butternut or pumpkin feta arugula salad is so tasty. Plus, it’s a breeze to put together this pumpkin and feta salad! You can use either butternut squash or pumpkin, since the flavours of each are so similar. Arugula offers a refreshing, peppery flavour, although this ingredient can be swapped for mixed greens, baby spinach or romaine.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut or Pumpkin Feta Arugula Rocket Salad
Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw
If you’re searching for an alternative to coleslaw, consider trying this Brussels sprout slaw. Made with a combination of shaved Brussels sprouts and cabbage and dressed with a tangy lemon apple cider vinaigrette, this is one of those salad recipes that is the perfect side dish for BBQs and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw
Italian Panzanella Salad
Panzanella salad is a refreshing summer side dish that combines juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and chunks of crusty bread, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. It’s the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats and a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of the season.
Get the Recipe: Italian Panzanella Salad
Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso
This colourful, flavourful Italian rice salad is perfect for a picnic, potluck, summer BBQ, or as a versatile side dish for a simple lunch or dinner. Every mouthful of this Mediterranean brown rice salad is bursting with fresh ingredients such as tasty salad vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso
Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon
This recipe for smoked potato salad with bacon combines the smoky flavors of potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, making it an ideal dish for summer gatherings and barbecues that will surely impress your guests.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon
Sweet Potato Kale Salad
Craving something healthy and delicious? Look no further than this sweet potato kale salad! This dish is packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like sweet potatoes, kale, and crispy chickpeas, making it the perfect choice for those looking to fuel their bodies with wholesome goodness.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Kale Salad
Pea Salad
If you want to offer a simple salad with Thanksgiving, you can’t go wrong with this pea salad. It has a creamy dressing that pairs perfectly with tender peas, and salty bacon.
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad
Winter Kale Salad
Offer a seasonal salad on Thanksgiving with this winter kale, butternut squash and pear dressing. It has the best meyer lemon dressing for a medley of great flavors.
Get the Recipe: Winter Kale Salad
Fuji Apple Panera Salad
There are so many flavors in this Fuji apple Panera salad, from the crisp Fuji apple flavor to crunchy pecans, creamy cheese, and vinaigrette salad dressing.
Get the Recipe: Fuji Apple Panera Salad
Fig and Burrata Salad
Drizzle this fig and burrata salad with delectable maple vinigerette for a healthy and delicious addition to your family holiday meal. This recipe is elegant and easy for a head turning starter or side.
Get the Recipe: Fig and Burrata Salad
Massaged Kale Salad
This salad makes for the most tender kale! Add a bright and cheerful citrus dressing, nuts or seeds and festive cheese stars for a memorable holiday salad that will have you thinking about adding kale to your meals more often.
Get the Recipe: Massaged Kale Salad
Waldorf Salad
The holidays are the perfect time to serve waldorf salad. This salad offers a creamy dressing with crisp, juicy fruits, and nuts to make a great side for texture and flavor!
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad
Rainbow Farro Salad
Top leafy greans with ancient farro grains, then add a rainbow of colors for a great Thanksgiving salad. This reicpe has a lively orange dressing that no one can resist. This pairs well with turkey or prime rib.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Farro Salad
Celery Root and Pear Salad
Make a celery root and pear salad with walnuts to add a fresh and flavorful salad course to your Thanksgiving meal. This salad is sure to be a favorite and you will want to make it again for future holiday meals.
Get the Recipe: Celery Root and Pear Salad
Fall Salad with Apples and Bacon Dressing
This salad has the best fall ingredients like sliced apples, bacon crumbles, feta cheese, cranberries and a warm bacon vinigerette. Serve this as a first course, or on the side of your holiday meal to add a healthy option that everoyne will love.
Get the Recipe: Fall Salad with Apples and Bacon Dressing
Brussels Sprouts, Kale and Apple Salad
This easy salad has the best fall flavors. With shredded brussels sprouts, kale and apples, with cheese and bacon are such a delicious medley to pair with turkey, ham, and all of the trimmings.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts, Kale and Apple Salad
Pancetta Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Bring a colorful and flavorful side salad to your Thanksgiving meal. This easy option is perfect with turkey, ham or roast beef.
Get the Recipe: Pancetta Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Cranberry Ferro Salad
Roasted cranberries, goat cheese, crunchy walnuts and farro make for such a yummy seasonal salad. This pairs well with a Thanksgiving feast, or make it for a lighter lunch and sprinkle some turkey chunks over top to make use of your leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Ferro Salad
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.