Thanksgiving Salad Recipes to Balance the Table

A good Thanksgiving salad is the dish that keeps the table from tipping over into heaviness. The best ones are bright, acidic, and crunchy — a counterpoint to the rich sides and gravy — and they're welcome after the third helping of stuffing. Here are Thanksgiving salad recipes that earn their place.

Apple & Arugula with Cider Vinaigrette

Toss peppery arugula with thin apple slices, toasted walnuts, and shaved pecorino, then dress with a cider vinaigrette (apple cider, mustard, olive oil, a little honey). The sweet-tart apple and the sharp dressing cut through the richness of the rest of the meal. It's the kind of salad people reach for between bites of turkey.

Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw

Shave Brussels sprouts thinly on a mandoline or with a knife, then toss with dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and a lemon-mustard dressing. The slaw is crunchy, bright, and holds for an hour without wilting — a perfect make-ahead Thanksgiving side. A handful of grated Parmesan or a diced apple rounds it out.

Kale, Cranberry & Pecan Toss

Massaged kale with dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and a lemon-honey dressing is sturdy enough to sit on a buffet all afternoon. Massaging the kale with a little oil and salt softens the leaves and makes them tender. Thanksgiving salad recipes that stand up to a long table are the ones that actually get eaten.