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This Thanksgiving Salad pairs perfectly with a turkey dinner. Apples, cranberries, feta cheese, and bacon never tasted so good on a bed of lettuce!
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They say there’s a salad for every season and every climate, and nothing says fall quite like this crisp and satisfying Thanksgiving Salad, y’all! It’s a blend of all the best seasonal treats: crisp lettuce like the leaves under your feet, sweet, juicy apple slices, and savory, crunchy bacon bits and nuts. There’s a little something for everyone!
I’m already half-planning my Thanksgiving dinner. I know salads aren’t always what people first think about when it comes to turkey day, but I always like to include one.
Still, I’ve noticed in the last few years that I’m always scrambling a little to figure out the best salad to serve alongside everything else.
I like my Thanksgiving to be perfect, well, the food, anyway! I can’t help how the family acts sometimes!! 🙈
This Thanksgiving Salad recipe, with a drizzle of my homemade cranberry vinaigrette, is the solution to all your turkey day salad woes!
I do think it’s one of the best salads for Thanksgiving Day! Of course, it’s great at any other time of year, too, and like any salad, super easy to make. I hope you enjoy it!
Thanksgiving Salad: Ingredients & Substitutions
For this Thanksgiving Salad recipe, you will need …
Ingredients
- spring mix lettuce – the best base for this Thanksgiving salad since it usually combines a few types of delicious greens in a variety of textures. (Think spinach, both kinds of romaine, etc.)
- bacon, feta cheese – savory additions to your salad! Plus, everything is more wonderful with bacon, right? 😉
- pecan, toasted sliced almonds – for crunch. Some of the best toppings for any savory-sweet salad!! Don’t skip out on toasting those almonds, y’all, since it brings out the flavor we all love.
- apple and dried cranberries – the sweet and fruity mix-ins add tons of fall flavor.
- onion – more veggies and more crunch.
- salt and pepper – to taste.
NOTE: As I said, this salad pairs best with my homemade Cranberry Vinaigrette!
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How to make Thanksgiving Salad
Start by toasting the pecans and chopping all of your fruits, veggies, and bacon.
Next, layer all of the ingredients in a large salad bowl and combine.
Lastly, add salad dressing along with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Thanksgiving Salad: FAQs
Just 10-15 minutes! You’ll be chopping and combining the ingredients. Nothing weird or out of the ordinary with this salad!
About 6 servings! Of course, it’ll depend on portion sizes.
Not at all. Use whatever kind you like!! I just think spring mix has the best mixture of “leaves.”
Oh, yes! Leftover baked turkey or ham tastes great in this salad, for instance.
I recommend a sweet variety that balances out the rest of the flavors for this salad. Fuji and gala are my favorites, but it’ll depend on what’s in season and readily available for you!
This is another one of those salads where you can customize it exactly to your tastes without sacrificing too much of what makes it wonderful. Try, for instance…
– Using pears or pomegranates instead of (or in addition to) apples
– Adding chunks of in-season squash, fresh/raw or roasted
– Brie or blue cheese instead of feta
– Balsamic, maple syrup, or raspberry vinaigrette instead of cranberry vinaigrette
– Drizzling on a hint of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
Other recipes you may enjoy
Thanksgiving Salad
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 cups spring mix lettuce
- 5 slices bacon, cooked
- 1 apple, sliced
- ¼ red onion, sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup Feta cheese
- ¼ cup toasted pecans
- 2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds
- salt and pepper, to taste
- Cranberry VInaigrette or your favorite salad dressing
Instructions
- Starting with the lettuce, layer all of the ingredients in a large salad bowl, then gently combine with salad tongs.
- Add the salad dressing (if using) and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the salad immediately.
Notes
- To toast the pecans if necessary: Add the pecans to a dry skillet and heat over medium heat until toasted, about 3-4 minutes or until toasted. Be careful not to burn them.
- If you may have leftovers or are delayed in serving, it is best if you reserve your salad dressing until right before serving. You’ll not be able to keep the salad after the dressing has been applied. If you prefer, you can dress individual plates of salad with the dressing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
