13 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes That Steal the Spotlight

Thanksgiving tables usually get all the attention from turkey and pies, but this time, the spotlight’s shifting. These 13 salad ideas prove that greens can be the conversation starter everyone didn’t see coming. They bring color, crunch, and that unexpected balance the holiday spread needs.

A plate of chickpea salad with chopped red onions, roasted red peppers, herbs, and sliced almonds, served with a spoon.
Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Hearty Dense Bean Salad

A spoonful of chickpea salad with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, parsley, and feta cheese being served from a bowl.
Hearty Dense Bean Salad. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Packed with irresistible textures, Hearty Dense Bean Salad is perfect for showcasing a mix of seasonal flavors. Its satisfying combination of ingredients makes it an ideal addition to your Thanksgiving table. This salad serves as a substantial side dish and is sure to leave a memorable impression.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Dense Bean Salad

Fresh Beet Salad

A close-up of a salad featuring chopped beets, cucumber, feta cheese, walnuts, and fresh herbs on a white plate.
Fresh Beet Salad. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Add a pop of vibrant color to your holiday spread with Fresh Beet Salad. Its bold presentation makes it a standout option for Thanksgiving gatherings. The earthy flavors combined with a fresh twist make it a refreshing choice alongside heavier entrees. This is a perfect way to introduce a unique salad option to your menu that can spark conversations.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Beet Salad

Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad

A bowl of fresh salad with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and herbs, seasoned with black pepper, with a serving spoon.
Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

As a light and refreshing dish, Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad is perfect for complementing heavy Thanksgiving mains. Its fresh textures and simple presentation create a lovely contrast while adding balance to your feast. This salad is a great way to bring a burst of freshness to the table.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad

Colorful Antipasto Salad

A bowl of salad with mixed greens, prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, olives, artichokes, and roasted red peppers.
Colorful Antipasto Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

For a salad that stands out from the crowd, Colorful Antipasto Salad is an exciting addition to Thanksgiving menus. Its variety of ingredients create a stunning contrast that draws attention. This salad offers a modern twist that refreshes traditional holiday spreads. Incorporating this option is an easy way to bring variety to your family’s holiday favorites.
Get the Recipe: Colorful Antipasto Salad

Crisp Honeycrisp Salad

A bowl of mixed greens salad with sliced Honeycrisp apples, walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese.
Crisp Honeycrisp Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

With a refreshing crunch, Crisp Honeycrisp Salad has a timeless appeal that balances sweet and savory. Perfect for enhancing your Thanksgiving table, this salad delivers a celebratory feel without overpowering other dishes. Its crispness is a fantastic way to celebrate the season using simple and fresh ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Honeycrisp Salad

Fresh Green Salad

A close-up of a fresh green salad with mixed leafy greens, cucumber slices, and pecans on a plate with a gold fork.
Fresh Green Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

As a classic option, Fresh Green Salad brings a wholesome touch to any Thanksgiving menu. Its simplicity makes it the perfect balance to richer, heavier sides. Adding this light and vibrant choice can enhance both flavor and presentation on your festive table. It’s a refreshing option that never fails to complement the holiday spirit.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Green Salad

Crunchy Celery Salad

A bowl filled with chopped celery, red onion, apples, almonds, and fresh herbs.
Crunchy Celery Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bright, crisp, and textured, Crunchy Celery Salad is a unique option worth adding to your Thanksgiving lineup. With its lovely crunch, this salad provides a nice contrast to softer dishes. Ideal for serving next to the main course, it keeps things light while packing plenty of appeal. It’s a distinctive choice that will get people talking about your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Celery Salad

Fresh Harvest Salad

A Harvest Salad with kale, sweet potato wedges, avocado chunks, chickpeas, and pickled red onions, all drizzled with a delectable dressing.
Fresh Harvest Salad. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Showcasing the season’s best, Fresh Harvest Salad is a wonderful addition to Thanksgiving celebrations. This dish highlights natural ingredients while adding a crisp and flavorful component to the meal. Its vibrant presentation makes it a great complement to classic turkey and sides. Bring out the best of fall with this simple yet impactful salad.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Harvest Salad

Layered Seven Layer Salad

A clear glass bowl layered with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, green peas, corn, diced celery, and topped with chunks of grilled chicken, garnished with a dollop of mayonnaise.
Layered Seven Layer Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Beautifully arranged, Layered Seven Layer Salad is a visually stunning centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast. Its distinctive layers add a festive and fun element to your holiday table. This crowd-pleasing choice ensures an unforgettable experience that combines flavor with visual appeal.
Get the Recipe: Layered Seven Layer Salad

Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad

A salad with arugula, roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and a drizzle of creamy dressing on a white plate.
Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Filling yet light, Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad provides a hearty option for your Thanksgiving table. It’s ideal for balancing heavier dishes with a warm, satisfying alternative. The unique combination of ingredients makes it stand out as more than just another side dish.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad

Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw

A bowl of fresh red cabbage coleslaw garnished with herbs.
Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Add a bold and colorful option to your table with Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw. Its vibrant appearance adds an extra visual appeal and texture to a holiday spread. This salad delivers a distinct flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with classic Thanksgiving dishes. Introduce something unexpected yet complementary to your lineup with this unique salad.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Close-up of a flavorful chicken salad with diced chicken, green onions, chopped pecans, and raisins, all served on a bed of fresh spinach leaves.
Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

For those looking for variety, Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is an excellent option to include at Thanksgiving. Its blend of elements creates an irresistible side dish that pairs fabulously with the accents of the holiday meal. This salad brings both depth and balance to heavier portions on the table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers

A plate of chickpea salad with chopped red onions, roasted red peppers, herbs, and sliced almonds, served with a spoon.
Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Make your Thanksgiving spread memorable with Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers. It features a combination of enticing flavors that shine as a flavorful break from traditional items. This standout dish perfectly complements the heartier classics on the table and provides an appealing alternative for guests.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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