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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

A salad with slices of steak on top.
Savoury Steak and Squash Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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

A pasta salad in a black Dutch Oven.
Smoked Italian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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

A squash rocket salad in a bowl on a table.
Roasted Butternut Feta Arugula Rocket Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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

Overhead view of a shaved brussel sprout salad on plates.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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

Italian panzanella salad in a large bowl.
Italian Panzanella Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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

Italian rice salad in a large bowl.
Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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

Potato salad in a wood bowl with a spoon.
Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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

A sweet potato kale salad in a large white bowl.
Sweet Potato Kale Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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

A bowl of pea salad with cheese chunks, bacon and creamy dressing.
Pea Salad. Photo credit: Julie’s Eats and Treats.

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

A kale salad with pears, butternut squash and lemon dressing.
Winter Kale Salad. Photo credit: We Are Not Martha.

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

Fuji apple panera salad in a wooden bowl with dressing being pored on top
Fuji Apple Panera Salad. Photo credit: Spaceships and Laser Beams.

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

A platter of burrata and fig salad.
Fig and Burrata Salad. Photo credit: Britney Breaks Bread.

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

A massaged kale salad with apples and cheese stars, sprinkled with nuts.
Massaged Kale Salad. Photo credit: Dish in the Kitchen.

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

A large platter of waldorf salad with apples, grapes and nuts.
Waldorf Salad. Photo credit: Glorious Treats.

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

A platter of farro salad.
Rainbow Farro Salad. Photo credit: Love and Olive Oil.

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

A simple salad of celery root and pears with walnuts.
Celery Root and Pear Salad. Photo credit: Coley Cooks.

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

A bed of greens with apples slices, pecans and feta cheese.
Fall Salad with Apples and Bacon Dressing. Photo credit: Simply Stacie.

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

A shaved brussels sprouts salad with kale and apples, bacon and cheese.
Brussels Sprouts, Kale and Apple Salad. Photo credit: Coley Cooks.

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

A platter of brussels sprouts with pancetta and feta cheese.
Pancetta Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts Salad. Photo credit: We Are Not Martha.

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

A bowl of farro salad with roasted cranberries, goat cheese and walnuts.
Cranberry Ferro Salad. Photo credit: We Are Not Martha.

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.

 

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