3 Flavorful Thanksgiving Salads To Keep Your Guests Coming Back For Seconds

When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, the side dishes are just as important as the main course. And while there are plenty of traditional options to choose from, sometimes it’s nice to mix things up a bit. If you’re looking for something a little different this year, why not try one (or all!) of these three flavorful Thanksgiving salads? From a harvest salad with roasted sweet potatoes to a cranberry-kale salad with pomegranate seeds, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Cranberry Pecan Salad

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course, food! While the turkey may be the star of Thanksgiving dinner, there's no reason why your salads should be relegated to the side. With a little creativity, you can turn traditional Thanksgiving flavors into something new and exciting.

One of our favorite Thanksgiving salads is our cranberry pecan salad. This salad is bursting with flavor, thanks to the tart cranberries, sweet oranges, and crunchy pecans. And it's easy to make ahead of time, so you can focus on enjoying your holiday gathering.

To make our cranberry pecan salad, you'll need:

1 lb. fresh cranberries
2 navel oranges, peeled and diced
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Start by mixing together the cranberries, oranges, pecans, and blue cheese in a large bowl. In a separate bowl or jar, whisk together the vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Pour this dressing over the salad and mix everything together until coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving (up to 24 hours).

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

1. Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

Ingredients:

1 lb. Brussels sprouts, halved

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. maple syrup

Salt and pepper, to taste

4 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl, toss together Brussels sprouts, olive oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper.

3. Spread mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until sprouts are tender and caramelized.

4. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before adding goat cheese, cranberries and pecans. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Sweet Potato Apple Salad

This Sweet Potato Apple Salad is the perfect mix of sweet and savory. It's sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving feast!

Ingredients:

-2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
-1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and cubed
-1/2 cup diced celery
-1/2 cup raisins
-1/4 cup chopped pecans
-1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
-1/4 cup diced red onion
-1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
-3 tablespoons olive oil
-salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients except for the salt and pepper.

3. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through.

4. Remove from the oven and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Conclusion

These three Thanksgiving salads are sure to please your guests and have them coming back for seconds. With a variety of colors, textures, and flavors, these salads are a great way to add some excitement to your holiday table. So go ahead and try one (or all three!) of these delicious recipes this year. Your guests will thank you for it!