20 Best Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

Thanksgiving is all about abundance — a table filled with comforting dishes, vibrant flavors, and the warmth of family and friends gathered together. While turkey and stuffing usually take center stage, a fresh, colorful salad can bring a perfect balance to the feast. Crisp greens, roasted vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seasonal dressings add brightness and texture to the meal, helping to lighten up the rich, hearty classics we all love.

In this collection of 20 Best Thanksgiving Salad Recipes, you’ll find creative ideas that celebrate the flavors of fall — from salads featuring roasted sweet potatoes and cranberries to those with creamy cheeses, apples, or pecans. Whether you’re looking for something elegant to impress your guests or a simple side to complement your holiday spread, these salads will bring color, freshness, and festive flair to your Thanksgiving table.

20. Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

This Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad is a flavorful and festive dish, perfect for the holiday season. Made with wholesome, seasonal ingredients, it’s both nourishing and satisfying. Whether you’re vegan or not, this hearty salad makes a wonderful addition to any holiday table — and it’s great for meal prep, too!

19. Sweet Potato Salad Recipe

This Sweet Potato Salad is a stunning mix of flavors and textures — featuring maple-cinnamon roasted sweet potatoes, crunchy pecans, crispy bacon, juicy apples, dried cranberries, red onion, and creamy feta cheese. Tossed with a luscious maple vinaigrette, this salad is a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and smoky notes — perfect for any season or occasion.

18. Fall Pasta Salad

This Fall Pasta Salad is a cozy twist on the classic summer favorite, bringing together the rich, comforting flavors of autumn. Packed with roasted vegetables, dried cranberries, and other seasonal ingredients, it’s a vibrant and satisfying dish that fits beautifully on any holiday table.

17. Sweet Potato Kale Salad

This Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad is so good, it can turn even the biggest kale skeptics into fans! Featuring tender shredded kale, perfectly seasoned roasted sweet potatoes, crunchy cornbread croutons, toasted pepitas and pecans, and a tangy balsamic dressing, every bite is full of flavor and texture. It’s a salad you’ll crave again and again — perfect for your holiday table or a cozy dinner at home.

16. Ensalada de Gallina (Venezuelan Chicken Potato Salad)

Ensalada de Gallina Venezolana (Venezuelan Chicken Potato Salad) is a beloved holiday classic that graces nearly every Venezuelan table in December. Creamy, flavorful, and wonderfully comforting, this cold salad captures the joyful spirit of the fiestas decembrinas — a true taste of tradition and celebration.

15. Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Salad (Holiday Side Salad)

This Butternut Squash Feta Salad is the perfect way to start any fall gathering! With its sweet roasted butternut squash, salty feta cheese, and bursts of tart pomegranate seeds, it brings a beautiful balance of flavors and colors — a true showstopper on our Thanksgiving table year after year.

14. Roasted Pumpkin Salad

This Roasted Pumpkin Salad is a flavorful delight, topped with a homemade honey vinaigrette, juicy pomegranate seeds, crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds, and more. It makes a perfect, satisfying side or even a light main dish for your fall or holiday meals.

13. Air Fryer Roasted Acorn Squash Salad With Easy Dressing

This Roasted Acorn Squash Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish, packed with autumn-inspired ingredients that make every bite irresistible.

12. Italian Potatoes and Green Beans Salad

In just 15 minutes, this Italian Potato and Green Bean Salad comes together as a fresh and vibrant side dish. Tender baby potatoes and crisp green beans are tossed warm with extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, and the subtle sweetness of finely chopped shallots, creating a simple yet flavorful Italian-inspired salad.

11. Pear and Rocket (Arugula) Salad Recipe {video}

This Pear and Rocket Salad pairs sweet, juicy pears with quick cinnamon-spiced candied nuts and a simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Celebrating the flavors of fall, it’s an elegant yet effortless salad — perfect for entertaining or adding a festive touch to your holiday table.

10. Carrot, Chickpea and Avocado Salad

9. Fall Harvest Salad Recipe

Packed with seasonal favorites like sweet potato, apple, cranberry, and pecans, this Fall Harvest Salad is a delicious celebration of autumn’s flavors and colors.

8. Roasted Beet Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

This Roasted Beet Salad with goat cheese (or feta) and crunchy nuts is finished with a drizzle of honey balsamic vinaigrette. Bright, flavorful, and satisfying, it’s perfect as a light lunch or an elegant starter for a dinner party.

7. Brussels Sprouts Salad with Cranberries

This Brussels Sprouts Salad combines tender sprouts with sweet cranberries, crunchy almonds, and creamy goat cheese, all tossed in a tangy honey and apple cider vinegar dressing. It’s a stunning salad that can be made a few hours ahead, making it perfect for fall and winter entertaining!

6. Apple Arugula Salad

This Apple Arugula Salad is packed with crunchy roasted maple pecans, fresh sliced apples, creamy goat cheese, and sweet figs, all brought together with a tangy balsamic dressing. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect fall salad to celebrate apple season — great as a side or easily turned into a full meal with added protein.

5. Cottage cheese Egg Salad

This Creamy Cottage Cheese Egg Salad is a fresh twist on the classic favorite. Using cottage cheese instead of mayo adds extra protein while keeping it creamy, tangy, and delightfully crunchy. Enjoy it as a sandwich, wrap, salad, dip, spread, or simply on its own for a versatile and satisfying meal.

4. Warm Fall Quinoa Salad

This Warm Fall Quinoa Salad combines hearty kale, roasted vegetables, and a light apple cider vinaigrette for a bowl you’ll want again and again. Spiced sweet potatoes, turmeric-roasted cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts mingle with dried cranberries, tangy goat cheese, and roasted pumpkin seeds, creating a cozy, flavorful salad that perfectly captures the essence of fall.

3. Butternut Squash Feta Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

This Butternut Squash Feta Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette is bright, flavorful, and full of texture. Roasted squash, crispy prosciutto, crunchy nuts, and fresh greens are tossed in a tangy-sweet dressing, making it a stunning choice for a satisfying lunch, a holiday side, or a light, elegant dinner.

2. Kale & Sweet Potato Salad with Creamy Maple Curry Dressing

This Kale & Sweet Potato Salad is a fresh, wholesome choice, perfect for balancing out heavier holiday meals or rich fall and winter dishes. Light, flavorful, and satisfying, it’s a salad you’ll enjoy any time of year!

1.Healthy Beet Salad with Feta Cheese

Let’s whip up a simple, healthy, and delicious Roasted Beet and Feta Salad. Bright, flavorful, and keto-friendly, this salad is perfect for both festive occasions and everyday meals. With its vibrant colors and satisfying taste, it’s sure to become a new favorite!

After exploring these 20 Best Thanksgiving Salad Recipes, it’s clear that salads can be just as exciting and festive as the main dishes on your holiday table. From hearty roasted vegetable and quinoa bowls to fresh, crisp greens with seasonal fruits and nuts, each salad brings its own unique flavors, textures, and colors. Whether you prefer something light and refreshing or rich and comforting, there’s a recipe here to suit every palate and complement every Thanksgiving spread.

20 Best Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

Incorporating these salads into your holiday menu not only adds variety but also balances the richness of traditional dishes, offering a burst of freshness and seasonal flair. They’re perfect for impressing guests, making meal prep easier, and celebrating the flavors of fall in a healthy and delicious way. This Thanksgiving, let your table shine with vibrant, creative salads that everyone will love — and enjoy the perfect harmony of taste, texture, and festivity in every bite.

Sharing is caring!