Holiday tables often have plenty of rich, filling dishes, so a fresh salad can bring a welcome change of texture and flavor. These 15 recipes range from crisp greens and hearty bean salads to fruit salads and creamy classics. Some are quick to toss together, while others need time to chill or roast. Choose a bright side to balance the meal or add color to a gathering spread.
Caesar Salad
At a holiday table filled with rich dishes, Caesar Salad brings crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, grated Parmesan, and a garlicky dressing. It takes about 35 minutes and makes six servings, with a short cook for the croutons or dressing components. Serve it alongside roast meat or casserole, or add grilled chicken for a more substantial lunch. Its salty, crunchy finish gives each plate a fresh contrast between heavier bites.
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Chicken Caesar Salad
When you want a salad that can stand in for lunch, Chicken Caesar Salad combines crisp greens and seasoned chicken with creamy Caesar dressing. The recipe serves four and takes about 25 minutes, using garlic, anchovy, lemon, Dijon, and egg yolks in the dressing. Toss the cooked chicken with lettuce and Parmesan just before serving so the leaves stay crisp. It also works well as a filling side at a casual holiday meal.
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Broccoli Salad
The contrast of crisp textures and smoky-sweet flavor makes Broccoli Salad lively on a holiday spread. It serves four and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, including time for the creamy dressing to chill with the vegetables. Red onion and sunflower seeds add extra bite, while the sweet-tangy dressing coats the broccoli. Make it ahead and bring it out beside ham, turkey, or a baked casserole.
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Sweet, salty, creamy, and chilled, Strawberry Pretzel Salad brings dessert-like layers to the holiday table. The six-serving recipe has a buttery pretzel crust, a cream cheese and whipped topping layer, and strawberry gelatin with sliced berries; it needs about 4 hours and 30 minutes to set. Cut it into squares once firm and serve it cold as a side or sweet finish. The make-ahead timing leaves more room for the rest of the meal.
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Celery Salad
Bright crunch keeps Celery Salad light beside richer holiday dishes, and the four-serving recipe comes together in about 15 minutes. Thin celery and diced Granny Smith apple meet parsley, garlic, and an apple cider vinegar dressing for a crisp, tangy side. Chill it briefly if you want the flavors to settle, then serve it with roast meat or a creamy casserole. The fresh texture helps balance a plate with heavier bites.
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Southern Farmhouse Feta & Veggie Salad
Colorful vegetables and salty feta make Southern Farmhouse Feta & Veggie Salad an easy way to add freshness to a holiday meal. It serves six and takes about 30 minutes, with a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing tying the vegetables together. Toss everything close to serving so the vegetables keep their crisp bite, then set it out beside baked mains or casseroles. Its mix of crunch and briny cheese offers a welcome change from rich sides.
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Grape Salad
Cool, creamy Grape Salad adds a sweet note to a table of savory holiday dishes, and the 12-serving recipe takes about five minutes to assemble. Red and green seedless grapes are coated with cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla, and sugar, then finished with brown sugar and chopped walnuts or pecans. Chill it before serving so the coating firms up. It can sit alongside the meal or make a simple fruit-forward dessert for guests.
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Waldorf Salad
Crisp, cool flavors come together in Waldorf Salad, which brings apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts together in about 10 minutes, with six servings from the recipe. The light dressing coats the fruit without making the mixture heavy, so it fits naturally beside roasted or baked holiday dishes. Prepare it shortly before serving to keep the apple pieces fresh, or dress the apples first to limit browning while you finish the other ingredients. The fruit and nut crunch breaks up a rich plate.
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Beet Salad
Roasted color brightens Beet Salad, a side that serves eight and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, including oven time. Tender beets pair with fresh greens and a tangy dressing for an earthy, sweet contrast to rich holiday mains. Roast the beets ahead and assemble the salad closer to mealtime so the greens remain fresh. Set it beside turkey, ham, or a casserole when the spread needs a vibrant vegetable dish.
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Mediterranean Salad
Fresh, savory crunch comes together quickly in Mediterranean Salad, which makes six servings in about 15 minutes. Romaine and cherry tomatoes form the base, with Mediterranean-style vegetables and a simple dressing adding briny, tangy flavor. Toss it just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp, then place it alongside roasted meat, baked pasta, or other holiday mains. This colorful bowl gives guests a lighter option between richer dishes.
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Antipasto Salad
Salty, tangy bites make Antipasto Salad a substantial side for a holiday gathering, ready in about 15 minutes and serving six. Romaine and arugula are topped with salami, prosciutto, artichokes, olives, red peppers, bocconcini, and tomatoes, then dressed with olive oil, vinegar, and garlic. Keep the greens and toppings separate until serving if preparing ahead. Its mix of vegetables, cheese, and cured meats brings plenty of contrast to a full table.
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Dense Bean Salad
When a filling plant-based option suits the meal, Dense Bean Salad pairs chickpeas and pinto beans with diced onion and colorful peppers. It serves eight and takes about 15 minutes to prepare, with a tangy dressing bringing the beans and vegetables together. Let it sit briefly before serving so the flavors mingle, then spoon it beside roast turkey or casseroles. The hearty beans add substance while the crisp peppers and onion keep each bite fresh.
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Ambrosia Salad
Soft, creamy, and dotted with fruit, Ambrosia Salad brings a familiar sweet side to the holiday spread. The recipe makes ten servings and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, including chilling; whipped cream is combined with powdered sugar and vanilla for its dressing. Fold in the fruit and chill the bowl before bringing it to the table. It pairs well with savory mains and can also serve as a light, fruity dessert.
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Honeycrisp Salad
Autumn colors and crisp textures make Honeycrisp Salad a natural fit for a holiday meal. It serves four and comes together in about 15 minutes with frisée, arugula, thin Honeycrisp apple matchsticks, candied walnuts, blue cheese, and spiced cider vinaigrette. Toss the dressing through the leaves just before serving so they stay crisp. The sweet apples and sharp cheese bring a bright, tangy counterpoint to roast meat and creamy sides.
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Kale Salad with Lemon and Parmesan
Bright and tangy, Kale Salad with Lemon and Parmesan has a fresh, savory edge and takes about 10 minutes for four servings. Chopped kale is tossed with lemon juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan, creating a balance of bright citrus and salty cheese. Massage the dressing into the leaves before serving to soften their texture. Offer it beside rich holiday mains when the meal needs a crisp, tangy green side.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad with Lemon and Parmesan