This is the Best Thanksgiving Salad – a hearty, vegetarian dish filled with seasonal autumn produce and a festive Apple Cider Thanksgiving Salad Dressing!
Let’s be honest – everyone knows that the best part of Thanksgiving is the sides. Turkey is fine and all if you’re not vegetarian, but the REAL flavor comes from tasty appetizers, herb-packed vegetable dishes, and all the iterations of bread/rolls!
I always hated Thanksgiving growing up because we never had any sides that I liked (sorry mom). I’m not a huge fan of things like green bean casserole, squash casserole, or honestly casseroles of any kind. That’s why I’ve made it my personal mission to provide delicious Thanksgiving recipes here that are anything but bland. I’m also a huge proponent of texture, which I think a lot of folks miss out on during the Thanksgiving feast.
Enter this salad. It’s got all the elements I love –
- CRUNCHY – fresh, crisp kale and toasted pecans
- SALTY – salted pecans and flavorful feta
- FRESH – arugula and pomegranate seeds
- HEARTY – oven-roasted delicata squash
- TANGY – a deliciously spiced apple cider vinegar Thanksgiving salad dressing
Plus, this salad is completely eye-catching, and everyone knows you eat with your eyes first! I know this salad will be a huge hit for your Thanksgiving table. Enjoy! :)
For more vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes, check out this recipe roundup! For vegan recipes, click here!
The Best Thanksgiving Salad
Ingredients
Roasted Delicata Squash
- 1 Medium Delicata Squash
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- Black Pepper to taste
Apple Cider Dressing
- 1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
- 3 Tbsp Apple Cider
- 1/2 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 Clove Garlic grated
- 1/2 Tsp Salt or more, to taste
- 1 Tsp Dried Thyme
The Rest of the Salad
- 6 Cups Kale
- 6 Cups Arugula
- 1/2 Cup Pomegranate Arils
- 3/4 Cup Feta
- 3/4 Cup Roasted Salted Pecans
Instructions
- To begin, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Cut your delicata squash in half lengthwise, then scoop out the seeds and gooey strands. Set aside seeds if you want to roast them later. No need to peel the squash!
- Cut the squash halves in half again lengthwise, then into slices.
- On a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, lay the delicata squash slices flat and spaced out. Drizzle with the olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Bake the squash for about 30 minutes, or until fork-tender and slightly browned at the edges. When done, set aside.
- While delicata squash is baking, make the Apple Cider Dressing. Combine all dressing ingredients into a bowl or jar. Grate the garlic clove directly into the dressing, then whisk or shake until dressing is completely combined. Taste, and adjust seasonings to your preference. (Note that this recipe makes more salad dressing than is needed for the salad – save the leftover dressing for your next salad!)
- In a large bowl, add in the kale, arugula, pomegranate, feta, and pecans. If making this salad ahead of time, cover the bowl and keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, add the delicata squash on top of the salad. You can either drizzle a little dressing on the salad, or serve on the side.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- To make this recipe vegan, omit the feta and sub in another tangy element like pickled red onions.
The Best Thanksgiving Salad FAQs
Is this Thanksgiving salad vegan?
No, but you can easily make it vegan by omitting the feta! Try a plant-based feta instead, or add in pickled salted red onions for a salty and tangy component.
Do you have anymore easy Thanksgiving sides recipes?
Yes! Check out my Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipe roundup here, and my Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes here!
What ingredients are in the Thanksgiving salad dressing?
This salad dressing recipe contains actual apple cider straight from the orchard, in addition to apple cider vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, and thyme. The sweet and savory flavor goes perfect with the elements of this salad!
Do people eat salad at Thanksgiving?
They definitely will if this salad is an option! ;) You feast with your eyes first, and this salad is gorgeously eye-catching. But it’s also delicious and full of seasonal, fall crowd-pleasing elements!
P.S.
For more plant-forward recipes and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!
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