Thanksgiving meals are hearty and filling with roasts and potatoes getting the spotlight, but salads are fun additions to the table. Salad doesn’t have to be a boring plate of greens. If you are looking to add a healthy salad to your plate or just want to impress your family or friends, throw together a delectable salad using our fantastic Thanksgiving salad recipes from our Food Monster App. We have you covered whether you’re craving a warm salad with cooked veggies or a fresh, cold salad.
Warm Salads
Source: Warm Mushroom Parmesan Salad
Most salads are cold with raw vegetables, but sometimes you want some cooked veggies for a more comforting taste. This Warm Mushroom Parmesan Salad by Marina Yanay-Triner has a great combination of raw veggies with cooked mushrooms, and is even topped with a vegan parmesan made with Brazil nuts. This Spinach Salad with Barley Bacon by Zsu Dever also uses cooked mushrooms, perfectly pairing them with bacon flavored barley and some spinach for healthy greens. If you’re looking for more salads that use grains, try this Spelt Berry Salad with Cinnamon Balsamic Vinaigrette by Steph McKercher which also uses cinnamon in the vinaigrette, which complement the other Fall flavors at the Thanksgiving table. While chasing Fall flavors, you should try squash in your salad, like in this Butternut, Red Cabbage, Quinoa, and Almond Salad by Rachel Hanawalt. Any of these warm salads will be sure to pair deliciously with the rest of your dishes as well as impress your family on Thanksgiving.
Kale Salads
Source: High Protein Roasted Cauliflower and Kale Salad With Curried Chickpeas
Kale is the perfect leafy green vegetable to add to your Thanksgiving dinner for a healthier side dish. For a more simple salad, try this Herb and Garlic Massaged Kale Salad by Meredith Youngson. The flavor is massaged directly into the kale, making your healthy greens delicious as well. For a kale salad that incorporates roasted vegetables, try Ally McLaughlin‘s High Protein Roasted Cauliflower and Kale Salad With Curried Chickpeas. The cauliflowers are roasted in the oven and the chickpeas are deliciously seasoned to add the perfect pack of protein. If you want to enjoy your kale salad with some avocado, try this Avocado Kale Chili Salad by Rachael Campbell. The dressing is chili flavored and will pair excellently with the other well-seasoned dishes at the Thanksgiving table.
Salads Using Seasonal Produce
Source: Beet and Lentil Salad With Beet Greens
Salads are a perfect way to throw together seasonal produce that you want to use up, or that you may not otherwise eat. It’s also a good way to take advantage of what’s locally available. To eat pumpkin in a salad, try this Simple Green Quinoa Salad With Roast Pumpkin by Taina Haines. The roast pumpkin and quinoa add the warm element that make it a perfect side dish. For a fall twist to the classic Caesar salad, try this Sweet Potato Caesar Salad by Florian Nouh. If you have some beets in your kitchen, try this Beet and Lentil Salad With Beet Greens by Nancy Partington to use up the entire vegetable. Or try Jamie Bevia‘s Spinach Salad With Pistachios and Sun-Dried Tomatoes for a beautiful side dish.
Salads High in Protein
Source: Parsley and Pepita Falafel Salad
If you are skipping the main roast on Thanksgiving and want your side dishes to be full of protein, try this Parsley and Pepita Falafel Salad by Christine DesRoches. It also uses pepita seeds which you may have leftovers of after making so many Fall pumpkin recipes. The falafel is made with chickpeas, which are high in protein. You could also try this Lentil and Beetroot Salad With Tofu Feta recipe by Aryane Héroux-Blais. The lentils and tofu are both high in protein and are sure to make a filling, delicious salad.
Still planning your Thanksgiving menu? Check out our Ultimate Vegan Thanksgiving Menu. For dessert ideas to treat yourself with after dinner, enjoy one of our 15 Unique Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts. For recipes for all occasions, download our Food Monster App. We have thousands of recipes for you to pick from!
