13 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes That Taste Like Home

Holiday meals often lean heavy, so a fresh salad earns instant respect at the table. These 13 Thanksgiving salad recipes feel comforting without weighing down the plate. Each one adds crunch and a little color, which helps hide how much mashed food is everywhere. Guests may even pretend they picked salad on purpose and not as plate decoration.

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.

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.

A holiday table deserves something fresh and unique. Fresh Beet Salad offers a vibrant option that works perfectly for Thanksgiving gatherings. Its bold tones and earthy taste make it memorable and great for everyone at the table. Serve it alongside your main dishes to add a refreshing bite.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Beet Salad

Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Close-up of a delightful broccoli salad with crispy bacon, sunflower seeds, and a creamy dressing. Mixed ingredients are visible in detail, showcasing the vibrant textures and colors of this fresh broccoli salad. — Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

The crunch of veggies is always a pleasant addition to the mix. Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing balances texture with a rich dressing that ties everything together. It’s perfect as a side dish that pairs nicely with your feast. This salad brings something different to enjoy during the holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Fresh Green Salad

Something crisp and refreshing works at every meal. Fresh Green Salad is a classic that fits perfectly on any Thanksgiving spread. It’s simple yet fulfilling with a great mix of textures. A wholesome blend like this is always welcome at the table.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Green 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.

Color makes any dish stand out instantly. Colorful Antipasto Salad combines bright elements that feel right at home during the holidays. Each layer is packed with contrasting textures and flavors. It’s a good choice for serving a lively, crowd-pleasing option.
Get the Recipe: Colorful Antipasto 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.

There’s always a spot for something crunchy at family dinners. Crunchy Celery Salad has the right mix of crisp textures to catch attention. Its lightness helps balance out heavier dishes on your Thanksgiving menu. Adding this to your lineup will bring something fresh to the table.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Celery Salad

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.

Using sweet notes in a dish can be a great move. Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad gives you a combo of textures tied together with just the right amount of sweetness. This salad can easily become a favorite among family and friends. Include it for a lighter option that still feels festive.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken 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.

A mix of seasonal freshness fits into any Thanksgiving meal. Fresh Harvest Salad pulls together great ingredients that remind you of fall gatherings. Its hearty appeal works well with traditional dishes. It’s a thoughtful addition to holiday menus where freshness matters.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Harvest 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.

Some dishes just offer that perfect crisp bite. Crisp Honeycrisp Salad brings in a juicy, refreshing touch that feels great for big meals. It complements Thanksgiving classics without overpowering them. Try it to add balance to your lineup.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Honeycrisp 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.

Adding a protein-packed option can make your spread feel complete. Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers is that dish you’ll want to include for variety. It’s filling without being too heavy, making it a great partner to other sides. Use it to introduce new textures and tastes to the meal.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers

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.

Everyone loves a dish that looks good too. Layered Seven Layer Salad checks every box for simplicity, color, and appeal. Stacking ingredients makes it fun to create and easy for guests to enjoy. Serve it up to make the Thanksgiving table even brighter.
Get the Recipe: Layered Seven Layer 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.

Light and fresh options are always a win for holidays. Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad delivers that refreshing bite everyone appreciates with big meals. Its crunchy components keep it from feeling too simple while balancing heavier dishes. Pair it with mains for a crowd-approved side.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad

Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw

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

Adding vibrant tones never hurts at a holiday table. Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw gives you the colors and tastes that complement traditional plates well. It’s a bold option that sneaks in some lighter notes to balance out the feast. Put it out to keep the variety going strong.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Hearty Dense Bean Salad

Something hearty can be great for rounding out a Thanksgiving table. Hearty Dense Bean Salad brings in a filling option that works well with all the classics. This one’s packed with great things that make it a versatile addition to your menu. Share it to give people a satisfying update to their favorite meal lineup.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Dense Bean Salad