Thanksgiving Salads That Earn Their Spot at the Table

Listen, I love mashed potatoes as much as the next person, but sometimes your plate needs a little freshness before you take your third scoop. These Thanksgiving salads are crisp, colorful, a little nostalgic, and honestly pretty irresistible.

From crispy leafy greens that are loaded with fall produce to my kids favorite “salad that’s basically dessert,” we are celebrating them all.

Greens Have Entered the Chat

We all know Thanksgiving plates usually look like carbs on carbs on carbs, and honestly, we love that for us. But the right Thanksgiving salad? It earns its space on the table. It brings crunch, color, and just enough freshness to make that second scoop of mashed potatoes taste even better.

Think crisp apples, sweet-tart cranberries, creamy cheese, candied nuts, and yes, even the fluffy whipped “salads” that have been in the family longer than the fancy serving platter. Basically, if it has fall flavor and personality, it belongs here, right next to the turkey.

A Few Thanksgiving Salad Tips Before You Toss

• Keep the crunch separate: Nuts, croutons, seeds, bacon… add them right before serving so nothing gets soggy.
• Add fruit at the last minute: Apples, pears, and citrus taste best when they are fresh.
• Prep the dressing only: Make dressing ahead, but do not toss the salad until it is time to eat. Crisp is key. Store your dressing in a container in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
• Fluff salads count today: Whipped topping, jello, crushed pretzels… it all counts. This is a safe space.

We are not here to judge, only to enjoy.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

4.88 from 8 votes

Crunchy pretzel crust, creamy layer, sweet berry topping. Dessert? Maybe. Do we care? Not at all.

Get the Recipe

Autumn Chopped Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing

4.92 from 12 votes

Crisp lettuce, apples, pecans, and cheese with a punchy dressing. Fall in a bowl.

Get the Recipe

Cranberry Cheesecake Fluff

5 from 3 votes

Creamy, fluffy, fruity, pink, and perfect. The “salad” everyone secretly loves most.

Get the Recipe

Broccoli Apple Salad

4.94 from 15 votes

Crunchy broccoli, sweet apples, nuts, and creamy dressing. Fresh meets cozy in the best way.

Get the Recipe

Lime Jello Salad

5 from 1 vote

Retro perfection. Tart, refreshing, and always a crowd favorite among the OG Thanksgiving fans.

Get the Recipe

Winter Fruit Salad

5 from 6 votes

Juicy, bright, and fresh. A refreshing bite between comfort food rounds.

Get the Recipe

Cranberry Pecan Sweet Potato Wild Rice Pilaf

4.73 from 22 votes

Warm, nutty, slightly sweet, and hearty. If a salad and stuffing had a cozy baby, this would be it.

Get the Recipe

Cranberry Jello Salad

No ratings yet

Classic holiday nostalgia in every bite. Tart, sweet, and full of tradition.

View Recipe

Italian Antipasto Salad

4.78 from 9 votes

Savory meats, cheeses, olives, and veggies. The salad for anyone who claims they do not like salad.

Get the Recipe

Harvest Bowl

No ratings yet

Hearty greens, roasted veggies, grains, and creamy dressing. Cozy and fresh at the same time.

View Recipe

Tell Me Your Thanksgiving Salad Personality

Alright, I need to know. Are you team fluffy salad, team leafy salad, or team “the only green I want on Thanksgiving is a casserole topping”? Tell me your family’s must-make salad in the comments so we can all add something fun to our table this year.

from The Recipe Critic https://ift.tt/7GQT6xn