13 Simple Thanksgiving Salad Recipes That Feel Right

ByMandy

Thanksgiving sides often steal the show, and these 13 salad recipes are proof. They add freshness when every other dish feels heavy enough to need a nap after. Each one brings a little crunch, a little cool, and a quick break from all that gravy talk. Think of them as the relatives who keep the peace when the mashed potatoes start drama.

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.

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.

Hearty roots and chickpeas pair up for a salad that feels filling without being heavy. Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad stand up well at the center of the table with colors that pop. This one works for potlucks or as a side with leftovers for the next day. Everyone always asks for an extra scoop.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea 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.

A showstopper with layers stacked high keeps guests coming back for extra helps. Layered Seven Layer Salad means getting a bite of something different every time, so it’s never boring. This one looks great in a glass bowl and travels well for any gathering. The bowl empties long before dinner finishes.
Get the Recipe: Layered Seven Layer Salad

Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw

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

Bringing a hit of crunch and punch to the table, coleslaw like this wakes up any spread. Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw brings color and a sharp flavor that always fits with heavier dishes. Great for sandwiches, wraps, or just on its own. There’s always a second helping hiding somewhere.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw

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.

Crunch and cream meet in this bowl for a mix nobody passes up. Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing means cool bites that keep things light even among hearty mains. It works well as a next-day snack too. You never see leftovers by the end of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

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.

Sweet and nutty meet savory in a salad you can eat as a side or pile onto bread. Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad on your plate means quick protein and a hint of fun flavor play. It holds up in lunchboxes and potlucks alike. People will ask where you found this one.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

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.

Thick salads packed with beans always land as a favorite for anyone wanting something more than just greens. Spoons full of Hearty Dense Bean Salad work for lunch sides or a main, easy to prep and serve cold. Stays strong on a buffet table all day. Someone always goes back for more.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Dense Bean 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.

Pops of color and briny flavors score big for guests who like to snack while waiting. Colorful Antipasto Salad keep things fun and change up salad expectations in a good way. Great for potluck spreads or party starters. You’ll run out faster than you expect.
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.

When a salad is all about crunch and a pop of fresh, this one jumps right in. Filling bowls with Crisp Honeycrisp Salad gives everyone a reason to grab seconds between heavier plates. It mixes well with almost anything on the table. You’ll want the leftovers for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Honeycrisp 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.

Simplicity wins every time with salads that have solid crunch and just enough kick. Crunchy Celery Salad helps reset your plate with light, cool bites after all the richer foods. Packs up well for later or goes with any main. You won’t have much to clean up after.
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.

Big bowls with lots of greens and extras feel right for balancing everything else on the table. Fresh Harvest Salad means every plate gets bright colors and variety, great with both mains and sandwiches. Handy for meal prep and quick snacking. Everyone tries to get the last bit.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Harvest 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.

Cool salads are often what gets picked first for a fresh side with dinner. Mixing up a batch of Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad means crunchy veggies and bright flavors that go with almost every dish. Good for hot days or when things feel heavy. No one stops at just one helping.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Cucumber Tomato 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.

Sometimes all you need is a bowl of greens to feel like you’re doing something right. Fresh Green Salad means quick prep and easy pairing with anything else on your menu. Great for leftovers or as a starter when you’re starving. Makes every meal feel a bit lighter.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Green 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.

Beans and peppers together hit the spot for anyone who wants both a bite and a punch of bold. Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers offers good texture and light protein that works as a side or a light main. Fits meal prep well for quick lunches. Plates are clean before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers

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