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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
Autumn Chopped Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
Cranberry Cheesecake Fluff
Broccoli Apple Salad
Lime Jello Salad
Winter Fruit Salad
Cranberry Pecan Sweet Potato Wild Rice Pilaf
Cranberry Jello Salad
Italian Antipasto Salad
Harvest Bowl
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.
I love your recipes!!
These salads look delicious.