13 Thanksgiving Salad Recipe Ideas That Make Greens Feel Seasonal

ByMandy

When planning slow, steady holiday prep, 13 Thanksgiving salad recipe ideas make it easier to work in something fresh. People usually welcome a lighter choice amid the richer classics. A bowl of greens can help balance the rest of the spread. Small additions like these support a comfortable, relaxed holiday meal.

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.

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.

Deeper color and earthy flavor make this Fresh Beet Salad stand out on any Thanksgiving table. Guests are always curious when they see its vibrant shade, and there’s something special about serving a dish that feels both hearty and fresh. This salad pairs perfectly with traditional sides and adds a new twist to classic holiday spreads.
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.

Thanksgiving can feel heavy, but this Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad brings a burst of freshness to the menu. Every forkful cools things down between bites of rich casseroles. I love offering a salad that cleanses your palate and keeps folks coming back for that crunchy, refreshing contrast.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Cucumber Tomato 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.

To surprise guests, I often serve this Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing alongside the family favorites. The mix of textures and hint of sweetness gets everyone talking. Don’t be surprised if this salad is gone before the main courses are even finished, it always draws second helpings.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

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.

Fall flavors pop in this Fresh Harvest Salad. Bringing together the best of the season, it’s a go-to for gatherings when you want to highlight autumn’s bounty. I like placing it front and center on the table since the colors and crunch always catch the eye and get rave reviews from first-timers.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Harvest 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.

Deep orange tones and satisfying bites in this Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad make it a hearty contender at Thanksgiving. This salad feels like comfort food and a light option combined, so friends keep coming back for seconds without feeling overstuffed.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea 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 the simplest dish shines brightest, which is why this Fresh Green Salad makes my holiday table. I use it as a cool, crisp side to balance heavier plates. People comment on how refreshing it tastes, reminding everyone to save a little space for something clean and green.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Green 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.

Full of bold flavor, this Hearty Dense Bean Salad offers something unique next to turkey and mashed potatoes. I notice folks who want something filling but lighter lean toward this option. The mix of flavors brings a bit of international flair and sparks plenty of conversation over the salad bowl.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Dense Bean 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.

Cool, juicy slices make this Crisp Honeycrisp Salad hard to resist. If you’re searching for a dish with crunch and a touch of sweetness, this salad easily wins over both kids and grown-ups. I always see plates cleared when this recipe joins the Thanksgiving spread.
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.

A pop of color and bold flavor hits the table in this Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers. The slightly smoky combination livens up heavy dinners, while the tang keeps palate interested between forkfuls of stuffing and turkey. It’s fun watching people come back again and again for just one more bite.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers

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.

Cranberries and pecans add the perfect festive touch to this Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. I like serving this dish on the holiday buffet because the bright flavors cut through all the richness. Each spoonful gets noticed, and guests ask about it every time I include it in the holiday mix.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken 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.

Light and seriously crunchy, this Crunchy Celery Salad acts as a fresh palate cleanser. I find it keeps guests from feeling weighed down by traditional sides. Its subtle flavor feels right at home among all the bold classics, making it a quietly brilliant addition that never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Celery Salad

Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw

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

A splash of color and sharp bite highlight this Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw. I reach for this when I want something vibrant and a bit unexpected. Folks appreciate that it lifts the heavier sides and brightens up their plates in both flavor and style. It’s a reliable talking point at festive dinners.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw

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.

Bringing a festive look and mix of textures, this Layered Seven Layer Salad often steals the spotlight. Each forkful delivers a little surprise, and I’ve noticed everyone enjoys uncovering each layer. Setting it out on the buffet means there’s no excuse for anyone to skip their greens.
Get the Recipe: Layered Seven Layer Salad

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