This Thanksgiving Salad looks impressive but is easy to make and doesn't require any cooking. It's full of simple, seasonal fall ingredients that even picky eaters will want on their plate.
This Thanksgiving Salad recipe is ready in only 10 minutes and can be make the morning of the big day (see instructions below). It doesn't require your oven or any cooking, and uses ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
It's also made with simple ingredients that will appeal to the whole family, even if you have a few pick eaters at your table.
This recipe is versatile — you can add or subtract ingredients easily — and is a recipe that's meant become part of your family's own Thanksgiving traditions.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this recipe. The full recipe and ingredient list can be found at the bottom of the page.
- Spring mix lettuce (or spinach, arugula)
- Apple
- Pear
- Dried cranberries
- Pecans
- Feta
- Pomegranate seeds
- For the dressing: olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard
Instructions
Here's how to make this recipe in 3 simple steps:
- Make the dressing: in a small bowl, stir or whisk together the dressing ingredients.
- Mix the salad: add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl. Drizzle as much of the dressing as preferred on top and toss to mix.
- Serve: serve immediately. If you need to make this salad ahead of time: wait to add the apple, pear (because they will brown), and the dressing until just before serving.
Substitutions
Here's some of the most popular substitutions and additions for this recipe:
- Lettuce: instead of a spring mix, you could use arugula or spinach.
- Pear: I've used Bartlett pears, but any variety will work.
- Pecans: swap these for walnuts, almonds or candied nuts if you prefer.
- Feta: a wide range of cheeses would be tasty in this recipe. For example, parmesan, romano, goat cheese, blue cheese, or gorgonzola.
- Dressing: this recipe uses a simple, homemade apple cider vinaigrette. You could swap this out for any store-bought similar dressing or a balsamic vinaigrette.
About The Dressing
The dressing for this recipe is an easy 5-ingredient apple cider vinaigrette. It's the perfect complement to the fall-inspired flavors in this recipe.
Other dressings that would be tasty include: balsamic vinaigrette, honey mustard, or apple vinaigrette.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, here's how: assemble the salad except for the apples and pears and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Mix the dressing and store it separately.
Just before serving the salad, slice the apples, pears, and toss the salad in the dressing. You could do this up to several hours before serving it (not overnight).
This recipe makes about 6 servings as a side salad. If you need to make it for a larger crowd, it would be easy to double the recipe.
Similar Recipes
For more Thankgiving salad recipes, check out these favorites:
- Apple Brie Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Or you can browse all of our fall salad recipes here: Fall Salad Recipes.
If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment & rating at the bottom of this page!
Thanksgiving Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Thanksgiving Salad looks impressive but is easy to make and doesn't require any cooking. It's full of simple, seasonal fall ingredients that even picky eaters will want on their plate.
Ingredients
- 6 cups spring mix lettuce (or spinach, arugula)
- 1 red apple, thinly sliced
- 1 pear, thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup crumbled feta
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
Apple cider dressing:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing: in a small bowl, stir or whisk together the dressing ingredients.
- Mix the salad: add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl. Drizzle as much of the dressing as preferred on top and toss to mix.
- Serve: serve immediately.
- If you need to make this salad ahead of time: wait to add the apple, pear (because they will brown), and the dressing until just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: thanksgiving, salad, apples, pears, fall, autumn, harvest, apple cider, dressing, green, leaf, arugula, holiday, big, large, cranberries, pecans
Megan
You can leave the pomegranate seeds out and it will still be delicious! Or substitute with 1 cup of blueberries or 1 cup of clementine slices 🙂
Megan
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Pam
How long can the dressing be stored? I made this salad for Christmas and have plenty of dressing left. I want to make it for New Year’s Day, so one week of dressing being stored in the refrigerator.
Megan
It will still be good! 🙂 The dressing lasts up to a month stored in the fridge (in an airtight container). Hope you enjoy & thanks for trying the recipe!!