Salads are an easy way to keep things light and fresh during the holidays without adding stress to your cooking. Whether you're looking for something crunchy, sweet, or savory, there's a salad that fits every holiday meal. These 23 salad recipes offer variety and flavor without complicated prep or heavy ingredients. Add them to your spread for a simple, satisfying way to balance out the holiday indulgence.
Purple Cabbage and Pickled Mushroom Salad
This vibrant salad features crunchy purple cabbage paired with tangy pickled mushrooms for a unique flavor combination. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare, offering a mix of earthy and slightly acidic notes. The mushrooms bring a briny touch that complements the crisp texture of the cabbage. This salad is perfect for a refreshing, light dish at your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Purple cabbage and pickled mushroom salad
Fried Halloumi Salad
Fried halloumi adds a savory, salty crunch to this simple salad, featuring a blend of greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Ready in under 20 minutes, the halloumi provides a delightful contrast to the fresh veggies, offering a warm, crispy bite alongside the cool ingredients. The balance of textures makes this salad a standout choice. It’s a great option to bring a little indulgence without stress to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Fried Halloumi Salad
Spicy Citrus Salad with Pistachios
This salad combines sweet and tangy citrus slices with a spicy kick, enhanced by crunchy pistachios for extra texture. It’s ready in just 15 minutes and offers a bold contrast between the fresh fruit and the mild heat from the dressing. The pistachios bring a nutty richness that rounds out the flavors. It’s an ideal salad for those looking to add a refreshing zing to their meal.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Citrus Salad with Pistachios
Apple and bitter greens salad
A mix of crisp apples and bitter greens creates a salad that’s both sweet and slightly tangy. This salad comes together in 10 minutes, featuring the bright flavor of fresh apples paired with the peppery taste of greens like arugula. A simple dressing ties it all together, creating a light but satisfying dish. Perfect for balancing out richer holiday fare.
Get the Recipe: Apple and bitter greens salad
Korean Kohlrabi Salad
This crunchy kohlrabi salad is seasoned with spicy, tangy Korean flavors, making it an exciting addition to any spread. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare, and the kohlrabi provides a refreshing bite with its crisp texture. The spice in the salad brings a bold, vibrant taste that complements the crunch. It’s a unique salad that adds flair without taking too much time.
Get the Recipe: Korean Kohlrabi Salad
Spicy Moroccan carrot salad
Grated carrots mixed with a zesty Moroccan spice blend make this salad a flavorful, eye-catching side. It takes only 15 minutes to make and offers a vibrant, spiced sweetness with every bite. The carrots stay crisp while absorbing the bold flavors, creating a satisfying texture. This is an easy way to add warmth and spice to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Moroccan carrot salad
Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta
Creamy white beans meet salty feta and crunchy vegetables in this Mediterranean-inspired salad. It takes around 10 minutes to prepare, offering a mix of hearty textures and fresh flavors. The feta adds a tangy richness, while the beans provide a creamy bite. This is an excellent option for those seeking a simple, protein-packed side.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta
Sweet potato and beet salad
Roasted sweet potatoes and beets form the heart of this earthy, slightly sweet salad that’s ready in about 30 minutes. The root vegetables offer a satisfying texture, balanced by the natural sweetness of the beets and potatoes. A light dressing adds just enough flavor to highlight the ingredients. It’s a vibrant, hearty dish perfect for a holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet potato and beet salad
Roasted delicata squash salad
Roasted delicata squash adds a warm, caramelized flavor to this salad, balanced by fresh greens and a tangy vinaigrette. Ready in about 25 minutes, the squash offers a soft, sweet bite alongside the crisp greens. The vinaigrette ties everything together with a light, citrusy finish. It’s a delicious way to bring fall flavors to your holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted delicata squash salad
Hot and sour shredded Napa cabbage salad
This salad combines shredded Napa cabbage with a hot and sour dressing, making for a bold, flavorful dish. It comes together in 10 minutes, with the cabbage providing a crisp texture that absorbs the tangy, spicy sauce. The balance of heat and acidity makes this salad an exciting addition to any spread. It’s a quick and easy way to add some zing to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Hot and sour shredded Napa cabbage salad
Roasted bell pepper salad
Roasted bell peppers add a smoky sweetness to this simple salad, which is ready in just 15 minutes. The peppers are soft and flavorful, pairing well with a light dressing and fresh herbs. This salad brings a rich depth of flavor without being heavy. It’s an ideal choice for a side dish that’s both easy and impressive.
Get the Recipe: Roasted bell pepper salad
Ukrainian Cucumber Salad
Crisp cucumbers and fresh herbs make this Ukrainian salad light and refreshing, ready in about 10 minutes. The cucumbers provide a cool, crunchy base, while the herbs bring a bright, fresh taste. A simple vinegar dressing adds a tangy touch without overwhelming the ingredients. This salad is perfect for balancing out richer holiday dishes.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Cucumber Salad
Roasted sweet potato salad
Roasted sweet potatoes are the star of this salad, offering a soft, slightly sweet bite paired with fresh greens and a tangy dressing. It takes about 25 minutes to prepare, with the potatoes adding warmth and richness to the dish. The contrast between the sweet potatoes and the light dressing makes it both hearty and refreshing. This salad is an excellent addition to any holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Roasted sweet potato salad
Bulgur salad with roasted butternut squash and leeks
This bulgur salad combines roasted butternut squash and leeks for a hearty, comforting dish that’s ready in 30 minutes. The nutty bulgur pairs well with the caramelized sweetness of the squash and the soft, mild flavor of the leeks. A light dressing brings everything together without overpowering the ingredients. It’s a filling, flavorful option perfect for colder weather.
Get the Recipe: Bulgur salad with roasted butternut squash and leeks
The best fall salad
This fall-inspired salad features roasted vegetables, crisp greens, and a tangy dressing for a perfect balance of flavors. Ready in about 25 minutes, it offers a mix of soft roasted vegetables and crunchy greens, creating a satisfying texture contrast. The dressing ties it all together with a touch of acidity. It’s a great way to bring seasonal flavors to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: The best fall salad
Tunisian "Tirshi" squash salad
This Tunisian squash salad is packed with spices and chickpeas, making it a filling, flavorful option that’s ready in 30 minutes. The squash provides a soft, sweet base, while the spices and chickpeas add heartiness and warmth. A light dressing enhances the flavors without overpowering them. It’s a great choice for a rich, comforting dish that’s still easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Tunisian "Tirshi" squash salad
Circassian fried cheese with a Middle-Eastern field salad
Fried cheese and a fresh Middle Eastern-inspired salad come together in this dish, offering a blend of savory and bright flavors. It takes about 20 minutes to make, with the crispy cheese providing a satisfying bite alongside the fresh, crunchy vegetables. The combination of textures and flavors makes this salad stand out. It’s a fun, flavorful addition to any spread.
Get the Recipe: Circassian fried cheese with a Middle-Eastern field salad
spring fiddlehead salad with dill-lemon balm kefir dressing
This spring salad features fresh fiddleheads and a tangy dill-lemon balm kefir dressing, offering a bright, herbaceous flavor. It takes around 15 minutes to prepare, with the fiddleheads providing a crunchy texture that complements the creamy, tangy dressing. The lightness of this salad makes it an excellent starter or side dish. It’s a unique way to bring seasonal greens to the table.
Get the Recipe: spring fiddlehead salad with dill-lemon balm kefir dressing
Arugula Salad with Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, and Pomegranate Seeds
Peppery arugula, crunchy endive, and creamy mozzarella come together in this salad, balanced by sweet pomegranate seeds and pecans. Ready in 10 minutes, it offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors. The pomegranate seeds add a pop of sweetness, while the pecans bring a nutty crunch. This salad is a festive, colorful option for your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Arugula Salad with Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, and Pomegranate Seeds
Roasted Beet, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad
Roasted beets and fresh apples provide the perfect balance of sweetness and earthiness in this salad, complemented by creamy goat cheese. It takes about 25 minutes to prepare, with the beets offering a soft texture that contrasts nicely with the crisp apples. A light vinaigrette ties it all together. This is a great salad for adding color and flavor to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad
Israeli Salad
Fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs come together in this Israeli salad, creating a light, refreshing dish in just 10 minutes. The vegetables provide a crisp, juicy bite, while the herbs add brightness and a hint of earthiness. A simple olive oil and lemon dressing enhances the flavors. This salad is an easy, refreshing side perfect for any holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Israeli Salad
Goat Cheese Salad
This simple salad combines creamy goat cheese with fresh greens, nuts, and a light vinaigrette for a balanced dish. Ready in about 10 minutes, the goat cheese adds a rich, tangy element to the crisp greens. The nuts provide a crunchy texture that complements the creaminess of the cheese. It’s a quick, flavorful option that’s easy to add to any holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Salad
Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning
Juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado are paired with crunchy dukkah seasoning in this quick and flavorful salad. It takes just 10 minutes to make, offering a balance of textures with the soft avocado, juicy tomatoes, and nutty dukkah. The dukkah adds a slightly spicy, earthy flavor. This salad is a deliciously simple choice for a stress-free addition to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning
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