22 Easy Thanksgiving Salads You'll Actually Look Forward to Eating

Craving a quicker, lighter, yet still flavorful green bean side dish than your grandma’s fried onion-topped green bean casserole recipe? (Shh...you’re secret’s safe with us!) Featuring crispy pancetta and roasted chestnuts, this easy Thanksgiving salad is made with only five ingredients and is a snap to prepare right on your stovetop.

When it comes to chopped salads, this rainbow chard recipe is the best pick for a savory, easy holiday salad recipe that will dazzle on your table. This Thanksgiving salad recipe features fresh chile peppers and mozzarella coated in a tangy garlic dressing—all of which comes together in just 20 minutes.

At peak ripeness, Fuyu persimmons taste remarkably similar to honey (and happen to pack an ample dose of anti-inflammatory qualities). Sweet! The fall and winter fruits shine in this easy Thanksgiving salad next to salty and nutty Manchego cheese and crisp, sturdy winter greens. Dress it all with a cider vinaigrette for a 20-minute holiday side dish that will have everyone excited to eat their fruits and veggies.

The holidays are a notoriously busy time of year, which is why we made this salad recipe as low-stress as possible. Start by combining pre-shredded kale and purchased coleslaw mix, then add your favorite store-bought vinaigrette. The only thing you'll have to prepare is the star of the show: Fresh blood orange slices. Throw it all in a bowl with wood salad spoons ($9, Target) and you're ready to serve!

Play with the cozy colors of autumn by using them in your holiday salads. Here, we combine fresh Chioggia beets, golden acorn squash, and pomegranate seeds. Mix them up and coat the ensemble in our sweet and tangy honey-mustard sauce.

Crisp and creamy, this winter slaw features all the classics of summery coleslaw—but with a twist. Vitamin-rich kale and purple cabbage stand-in for lettuce. Flavor all those veggies with a zippy vinegar dressing for a holiday salad recipe worthy of your epic spread.

Fill your plate with the season's best and some of the most nutritious. Fresh apples, dried cranberries, and cabbage all join to create this festive holiday salad recipe. Just glaze this 30-minute, easy Thanksgiving fruit salad idea in the honey-garlic dressing (which is so delicious you’ll want to eat by the spoonful, by the way) and dig in.

Buy It: 2-Piece Platter Set in Cream, ($31, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Wheat berries are tiny kernels of wheat that pop and turn golden when cooked. We love the fresh crunch they give this healthy holiday salad recipe. For the simple dressing that coats every bite, fill a Mason jar with honey, walnut oil, and vinegar. Shake, pour, then dig in!

Showcase the flavors of fall and winter in this Thanksgiving salad recipe. Here, we combine fresh Chioggia beets—“roasted” to perfection in a flash in an Instant Pot ($70, Best Buy) or pressure cooker—alongside peppy citrus, cucumber, and leafy greens. Mix them up and coat the ensemble in our sweet and tangy honey-mustard sauce.

Related: How to Use an Instant Pot

Drizzled with a homemade cranberry vinaigrette, this Italian-style panzanella salad is perfect for your next holiday meal. Start by tossing together veggies and crispy bread cubes, then combine cranberry juice, vinegar, honey, and oil for a slightly sweet tart finish.

Cinnamon and brown sugar add warm and cozy flavor notes to this holiday spinach salad. We infuse them both into an Indian-inspired chickpea dressing, then embellish the sweet and savory holiday salad recipe with red onion and dried apricots. For crunch, don't skip our 30-second recipe for toasted pappadum crackers.

Even those who generally steer clear of beets will swoon over this complex-tasting yet easy Thanksgiving salad recipe. This vegetable, grain, and fruit salad is brimming with pretty ruby shades thanks to sweet raspberries, earthy beets, and crisp radishes. Drizzle pureed chile-berry dressing over the top for a delicious finish that's sure to make this salad the star of your holiday sides.

Looking for holiday salad ideas to please a wide audience? This healthy, easy holiday salad recipe features many seasonal faves, including fresh cranberries, wild rice, kale, and crunchy veggies. Its flavors—and the 20-minutes of hands-on time—will be a winner with everyone, especially vegan and vegetarian guests.

Hot or cold? Take your pick with this easy Thanksgiving salad recipe that one home cook explains is, “Oh so yummy served warm or chilled and it is always a huge hit. This dressing is outstanding!” The honey-soaked quinoa and vegetable salad features slivered apricots, juicy cherries, and fresh greens. Toss in a few cashews for a crouton-like crunch.

A fresh plate of greens is sure to start any celebratory feast off right. Especially when it only takes 25 minutes to pull it together and you can come to the table calm and collected! Avocado oil and a splash of soy sauce give this Thanksgiving salad recipe some Asian flair, while garlic enhances the savory flavor.

Cranberry and citrus team up in the ubiquitous Thanksgiving side dish of cranberry sauce, so why not toss that dream duo into an easy holiday salad recipe? We've added a refreshing kick of mint and ginger to this arugula salad, then topped it with chopped fresh cranberries and juicy oranges for a stunning citrus-infused holiday side. It’s tart, tangy, and a fresh accompaniment to turkey, ham, or prime rib.

Prep this party-worthy broccoli salad in less than 15 minutes, then all that’s left to do is roast, toss, and savor. It's made with juicy red grapes and oil-tossed broccoli, then coated in a sweet homemade dressing. Save the best for last by topping this Thanksgiving salad recipe with crisp, savory bacon.

Simple and sweet, this Thanksgiving salad recipe features lively blue cheese, toasted walnuts, and a zingy pear liqueur-mustard dressing. It’s like a fancy cheese board in easy holiday salad form! Consider this 25-minute recipe as a light and lovely complement to the veggie-centric sides.

Easy salads can be dressed to impress, as this Thanksgiving salad recipe attests. A beautiful presentation of jeweled tones and elegant matchsticks of beets, apples, and fennel supports an equally impressive flavor profile. And all it takes to achieve this easy, artistic holiday side is a little chopping and mixing—and a mere 20 minutes.

Watch out, green bean casserole: This savory, easy holiday salad recipe has arrived and it just might usurp you as the top holiday side. Two kinds of beans make this green bean salad extra colorful, while roasted hazelnuts and shaved parmesan offer a nutty flavor-alternative to the typical creamy green bean casserole.

Brussels sprouts, pears, dates, and walnuts team up to craft a memorable salad. And if that wasn’t enough of a dream ensemble, cannellini beans arrive to add a satisfying dose of protein. Once those beans join the party, this easy Thanksgiving salad recipe becomes hearty enough to act as a vegetarian main dish.

Celery isn’t just for the crudité platter and stuffing with peanut butter and raisins. Here, it becomes the star of an easy holiday salad recipe filled with crisp ingredients. This refreshing side also surprises with plenty of ginger kick, thanks to both ground and crystallized iterations. The 25-minute elegant salad recipe is ideal for cutting through the richness of the other cheesy casseroles and decadent dishes on the table.