Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the ingredients for the best Thanksgiving salad what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Thanksgiving Salad:
Greens – The base of this Thanksgiving salad is curly kale and shaved brussels sprouts, but you could use spinach and arugula for a milder flavor. Fruit – A thinly sliced apple and pear add sweetness, while dried cranberries (or sugar-free dried cranberries) provide a burst of tartness. You can experiment with different fruits like grapes, oranges, or even pomegranate seeds. Nuts – I used pecans, but any crunchy nuts would work. Try almonds, walnuts, or cashews. Use pepitas or sunflower seeds for a nut-free option. Feta Cheese – Buy it crumbled or crumble it yourself. You can also use crumbled goat cheese, blue cheese, gorgonzola, or even shaved Parmesan cheese.
Maple Vinaigrette:
Olive Oil – This makes up the base of the dressing. You can also use avocado oil. Maple Syrup – I use natural sugar-free maple syrup, but regular works as well. Apple Cider Vinegar – An acidic ingredient adds tang and emulsifies the dressing. You can also substitute it with lemon juice, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar. Sea Salt & Black Pepper
How To Make Thanksgiving Salad
This section shows how to make a salad for Thanksgiving, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: Since this Thanksgiving salad uses hearty greens, it stores quite well. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The apples and pears do brown a bit and the nuts soften, so you could add those later. Meal prep: Shred the kale and brussels sprouts, make the vinaigrette, and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
What To Serve With Thanksgiving Salad
Planning your Thanksgiving menu? Here are some options to round out your holiday spread alongside your Thanksgiving salad recipes:
Change the dressing – I love the sweet dressing with this salad, but a bright and zesty lemon vinaigrette would also work nicely. You can also keep the maple vinaigrette but add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for extra flavor. Add winter squash – Toss in cubes of roasted butternut squash, acorn squash, or delicata squash. Add avocado – Almost any Thanksgiving salad can benefit from some creamy sliced or diced avocado! Make it nut free or dairy free – You can omit the nuts (or use seeds) and/or the cheese based on your needs. Turn it into a meal – Top with some sliced baked chicken breast or shredded Instant Pot chicken breast for protein.
Turkey – The classic Thanksgiving turkey or a hands-off turkey in bag pairs perfectly with a fresh salad as a side dish. For a smaller crowd, make turkey wings or just a roasted turkey breast recipe. Appetizers – For a quick and easy appetizer, try a Thanksgiving charcuterie board in the shape of a cute turkey. You can’t go wrong with bacon wrapped asparagus, either. Thanksgiving Side Dishes – Don’t miss the classics like mashed potatoes (or cauliflower mashed potatoes for a lighter option), roasted sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce. I also like making roasted green beans, which is much faster and easier than a whole casserole. Casseroles – For healthy-ish comfort food, make broccoli cheese casserole or a loaded cauliflower casserole. Thanksgiving Desserts – I usually make a sugar free crustless pumpkin pie.
More Thanksgiving Salad Recipes
Looking for more festive salad ideas? Try some of these other popular salad recipes that are perfect for Thanksgiving: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info uses sugar-free dried cranberries, but regular ones also work.
