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–+ servings
A vibrant Thanksgiving salad recipe featuring crisp lettuce, diced apples, dried cranberries, feta cheese, and pumpkin seeds.

Thanksgiving Salad Recipes Recipe Everyone Asks For

This Thanksgiving salad is a crowd-pleaser, featuring crisp apples, tart cranberries, crunchy pepitas, and creamy goat cheese, all tossed in a simple apple cider vinaigrette. It's a refreshing addition to your holiday table.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Cooling time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Green salad
  • 5 ounces Spring greens salad blend (about 5 cups)
  • 1 large or 2 small Granny Smith apple
  • ⅓ cup Dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup Pepitas (green pumpkin seeds) or chopped raw pecans
  • 2 ounces Goat cheese, crumbled (about ⅓ cup)
Apple cider vinaigrette
  • ¼ cup Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon Fine sea salt
  • to taste Freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Medium skillet
  • Small bowl
  • Cup or jar
  • Large serving bowl

Method
 

  1. Toast the pepitas: In a medium-sized skillet, toast the pepitas over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they are turning golden on the edges and making little popping noises. If using pecans, warm them just until they are fragrant. Transfer the pepitas to a small bowl to cool.
  2. Make the dressing: In a cup or jar, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, and salt until well blended. Season to taste with pepper.
  3. Just before serving, chop the apple into thin, bite-sized pieces. Place your greens in a large serving bowl. Top with sliced apple, dried cranberries, and toasted pepitas. Use a fork to crumble the goat cheese over the salad.
  4. Drizzle the salad with just enough dressing to lightly coat the leaves once tossed. You probably won’t need all of it. Gently toss to mix all of the ingredients and serve.

Notes

This salad can be prepped ahead of time. Store the dressing separately and toast the pepitas in advance. Assemble and dress just before serving for the freshest taste and texture.

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