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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 crunchy, colorful, slightly salty, and undeniably delicious.
From grispy leafy greens loaded with my kids’ fall “salad basically dessert,” we celebrate them all.
Vegetables entered the conversation
We all know Thanksgiving plates often look like carbs on carbs on carbs, and honestly, we love that. But the right Thanksgiving salad? It finds its place at the table. It brings crunch, color, and enough freshness to make that mashed potato cheater taste even better.
Think crisp apples, sweet cranberries, creamy cheese, roasted nuts, and yes, even fluffy whipped “salads” that have been in the family for a long time in a larger family than a family that has a plate. Basically, when it comes to taste and personality, it belongs here, next to Turkey.
A few Thanksgiving salad tips before tossing
- Keep a distinct crunch: Nuts, croutons, seeds, bacon … add directly before serving so nothing gets soggy.
- Add fruit at the last minute: Apples, canned pears and citrus taste best when fresh.
- Prepare to dress only: Make the dressing in advance, but don’t toss the salad until it’s time to eat. Christmas is the 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 … all important. This is a safe space.
We are not here to judge, only to enjoy.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Crunchy Pretzel Crust, creamy layer, sweet berry filling. Dessert? It is possible. Do we care about them? Not at all.
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An autumn salad topped with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
Crisp lettuce, apples, pecans, and cheese with a dressing. Falling into a container.
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Cranberry cheesecake fluff
Creamy, fluffy, fruity, pink, and perfect. “Salad” everyone likes very much.
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Broccoli apple salad
Crunchy broccoli, sweet apples, nuts, and creamy dressing. Fresh meets cozy in the best possible way.
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Lime jello salad
Retro perfection. Tart, refreshing, and always a crowd favorite among OG Thatfgiving fans.
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Winter fruit salad
Juicy, bright, and fresh. A refreshing bite between comfort food cycles.
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Cranberry pecan sweet potato rice pilaf
It’s warm, healthy, a little sweet, and sweet. If salad and dip were a cozy baby, this will be.
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Cranberry jello salad
A classic holiday treat for all tastes. Tart, sweet, and full of tradition.
Check out the recipe
Italian Antipasto Salad
Contains meat, cheese, olives, and veggies. A salad for anyone who says they don’t like salad.
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A harvest bowl
Good greens, roasted veggies, whole grains, and creamy dressing. Cozy and fresh at the same time.
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Tell me your Thanksgiving salad personality
Okay, I need to know. Are you the Fluffy salad team, the leafy salad team, or the “all the greens I want for Thanksgiving is a casserole lift” team? Tell me your family’s salad and we must make a comment in the comments so that we can all add something delicious to our table this year.
