Bring vibrant color and freshness to your holiday table with these Thanksgiving salad recipes that celebrate peak fall produce. From hearty Brussels sprouts and kale salads to crisp arugula blends, each salad pairs beautifully with classic Thanksgiving fare.

Why You’ll Love these Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

• Seasonal Ingredients. Roasted squash, apples, pomegranate, and toasted nuts deliver layers of texture, color, and flavor.
• Make-Ahead Friendly. Many of the components in these salads are make-ahead friendly, helping to ease the prep load on Thanksgiving day. A total win for busy hosts!
• Light + Refreshing. A vibrant salad will help brighten the palate and balance the sea of creamy, rich casseroles.
• Show-Stopping Appeal. These salads are truly centerpiece-worthy, and will add visual appeal to the buffet.

These salad recipes are perfect for Friendsgiving, potlucks, or cozy holiday dinners. Scroll through to discover your new favorite fall salad recipe and wow your guests.

And if you’re looking for more Thanksgiving recipe inspiration, check out my list of the BEST Thanksgiving Side Dishes next.

Also, if you give any of these recipes a try, be sure to come back and leave a rating and review!

Tips for Serving Thanksgiving Salads

This day is all about timing and balance, which is where these salad recipes shine. Here are a few tips for flawless execution:

• Prep components ahead.
  • Wash and chop greens and store them in airtight containers with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
  • Toast nuts or croutons and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
  • Mix dressings in a jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Serve at room temperature. Believe it or not, room temp salads allow the flavors to fully bloom. Plus, most fall and winter salads are hearty enough to withstand room temp serving (unlike more delicate leafy summer salads).
• Garnish right before serving. Crispy toppings, such as nuts or croutons, can lose their crunch if added too soon. It’s also a good idea to add cheese or fruit (such as pomegranate arils) last minute for visual appeal and freshness.
• Perfect your presentation. These salads are a brilliant way to make the table pop. I suggest using a wide, shallow bowl or platter to really showcase the layers of color. I also love garnishing with pomegranate arils, fresh herbs, and shaved cheese before serving.

Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

Autumn Panzanella Salad. Featuring herb-roasted squash, rustic sourdough, toasted hazelnuts, and Parmesan in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

Brussels Salad with Pear and Pecans. Crisp, bright, and tossed in a simple mustard dressing, this salad pairs perfectly with classic Thanksgiving fare.

Honeycrisp and Halloumi Salad with Creamy Cider Dressing. Show-stopping fall perfection featuring honey-thyme glazed halloumi, crisp apple slices, kale, and farro.

Harvest Fall Salad with Caramelized Shallot Dressing. A hearty combination of wild rice, roasted sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, and shredded chicken. (Note: if serving as a side, feel free to omit the chicken!)

Arugula and Persimmon Salad. Crisp arugula, jewel-tone beets, halloumi croutons, and avocado in a white wine vinaigrette. Filled with color, flavor, and crunch, this recipe is perfect for holiday entertaining.

Roasted Squash Salad with Parmesan-Peppercorn Dressing. Roasted Delicata squash, red onion, and kale in a creamy peppercorn dressing with crispy walnut-Parmesan breadcrumbs. This recipe abounds with fall flavors and can double as an entree or side dish.

Warm Brussels Salad with whole-grain mustard dressing. A speedy, super simple option that pairs well with any entree.

Roasted Veggie Lentil Salad. If you’re looking for a heartier option (or something vegetarian in place of the turkey), this salad is the perfect choice. Featuring roasted veggies, fresh herbs, goat cheese, and lentils in a lively maple-mustard dressing.

Shaved Brussels and Pear Salad. A lovely combination of Brussels sprouts, fresh pears, pumpkin seeds, dried apple, and Manchego cheese in a punchy lemon-Dijon dressing. This simple salad makes delicious use of fall produce and comes together in a flash.

Autumn Delicata Squash Salad. A lovely lineup of chili-maple roasted squash, crisp greens, avocado, and pomegranate in maple-mustard dressing. Beautiful, flavorful, and nutritious.

Raw and Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad. This recipe offers a lovely texture contrast of crisp, roasted Brussels sprouts with fresh shaved sprouts. Also in the mix is hazelnuts, ricotta salata, and a simple lemon-shallot dressing.

Autumn Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette. Featuring roasted sweet potatoes, apples, Parmesan, and a delicious dressing. This fall salad offers good-for-you nutrients and will become a seasonal staple.

More Thanksgiving Favorites

VGVegetarian

Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole

VVeganVGVegetarianGFGluten-FreeDFDairy-Free

Coriander Roasted Carrots with Parsley and Pistachios

GFGluten-FreeNFNut-Free

Roasted Garlic Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

GFGluten-Free

Mini Pumpkin-Tahini Cheesecakes

If any of these Thanksgiving salad recipes make it to your holiday table, snap a photo and tag #dishingouthealth so I can see your beautiful creations! Also, follow along on Pinterest and Facebook for the latest recipes.