Thanksgiving spreads can get heavy fast, so having 13 light salads in the mix keeps everyone alert enough to argue about football later. These salads sneak onto the table looking all innocent, but they end up stealing attention from the main course. They’re quick to toss together, easy to pass around, and somehow manage to please both the green lovers and the gravy loyalists.
Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad
It’s a smart move to add something crisp to your plate when everyone gathers around. Big bowls of Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad always help kick things off and bring a fresh bite to the mix. The cold crunch stands out in a good way with heavier dishes. Scooping a little onto your fork keeps things easy between bites.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad
Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw
When you want color with texture, coleslaw brings a solid punch that gets noticed on the table. Passing around Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw means everyone gets that simple crunch with every meal. Pile it up with other sides to change things up. It pairs with any plate no matter what else eats up the space.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw
Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Bright salads make people stop and reach for something different in all the usual dishes. Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad brings a light bite so plates don’t get weighed down too fast. It always gets scooped alongside bread or crackers. This salad is perfect for chatting while the table stays busy.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Crisp Honeycrisp Salad
It’s usually the first bowl to feel lighter when people start passing food around at mealtime. Crisp Honeycrisp Salad gives guests a cool refresh among all the rich plates. The crunch breaks up the rest of the fixings and adds a quick sweet note. Most people go back for seconds without thinking twice.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Honeycrisp Salad
Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers
Adding beans to your salad bowl means you get a filling mix that’s good for big meals. Set out a dish of Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers and see forks move fast through the crowd. It lands just right with bread or meat dishes in the line. You might notice people picking at it the whole time dinner lasts.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers
Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing
Bringing a salad piled high with cold veggies gives your meal spread a fresh look fast. Lay out Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing and those green pieces always vanish first. The creamy top keeps it easy to scoop up. Eating some along with main courses balances the plate by adding a little crunch each round.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing
Fresh Beet Salad
Every busy table needs a salad that pops with colors so people can try something new. Dishes with Fresh Beet Salad find a spot even for folks who don’t usually get excited about veggies. The blend keeps palates cool between bites of heavier food. Pour some into a bowl for easy scooping and quick refills all meal long.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Beet Salad
Layered Seven Layer Salad
Passing out layered salads is smart when you want groups to eat something that stands out. Spoons dig deep into Layered Seven Layer Salad so no flavor gets missed. Each scoop pulls up a bit of everything in the bowl. Plates get filled faster and everyone asks what’s inside by the end of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Layered Seven Layer Salad
Fresh Green Salad
Add in a bowl of mixed greens for easy eating and some variety at meals when the table fills up. Stacking up Fresh Green Salad makes sure everyone gets a light helping between other foods. The bowl empties quick since it pairs with anything on the menu. Simple clean flavors always find a spot during busy meals.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Green Salad
Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad
More color helps spread out the meal when dishes compete for attention on the table. Put out a tray of Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad to let guests mix textures as they pile up plates. This side works with every forkful of turkey or ham. Most guests dish up extra after first bites during dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad
Hearty Dense Bean Salad
When people pack their plates they need filling sides that don’t slow down the flow. Spoon out Hearty Dense Bean Salad and set it next to breads and casseroles. It brings a new layer fast to each meal without taking up too much space. Guests keep grabbing more as food keeps coming back around.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Dense Bean Salad
Crunchy Celery Salad
Crisp salads make eating easier when plates are loaded with rich food. A bowl of Crunchy Celery Salad stands out on busy tables and keeps palates clean. It’s easy for everyone to scoop up while chatting or making sandwiches. It always feels refreshing no matter what else is being served.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Celery Salad
Colorful Antipasto Salad
Party plates look brighter when antipasto shows up in the salad spread for hungry guests. Dig into Colorful Antipasto Salad and grab a forkful for quick flavor changes. Served cold this salad fills up bowls and rounds out every meal. People usually reach for seconds before dessert starts making its way to the table.
Get the Recipe: Colorful Antipasto Salad
