Make Ahead Thanksgiving Salad.

A cozy, wintery house salad that fits right in with all your holiday favorites. It’s simple and so delicious—just a mix of fresh greens, sweet dried cranberries, spicy maple walnuts, and nutty Manchego cheese, all tossed in a quick maple vinaigrette. Easy to make, gorgeous on the table, and perfect with every single dish on your menu. This is one winter salad you’ll never get tired of.

I know salad might not seem like the must-have dish at a holiday dinner, but I make one every single year. With such a big family, I definitely have a few who would happily skip the greens, but most of us love something fresh to balance out all those cozy, indulgent sides.

And let’s be honest—Thanksgiving plates run on the heavier side. Over the years, I’ve learned to keep the dinner salad simple. I love a big, loaded salad with all the toppings (and plenty of dressing), but with so many flavors happening on Thanksgiving night, a classic, refreshing house salad is the way to go.

So this year, I’m sharing the easiest make-ahead—or throw-together-last-minute—holiday salad. It might be one of my simplest recipes yet, and we love it. I even left out the avocado. Simplicity is KEY here, and it’s absolutely delicious. I have a feeling this could become your go-to holiday salad year after year.

Here are the details

Ingredients

• shredded Brussels sprouts
• baby arugula
• dried cranberries
• candied walnuts
• Manchego cheese – or your favorite nutty cheese!

The Vinaigrette

• olive oil
• apple cider vinegar – or try persimmon vinegar, I get this bottle from Flamingo Estates
• maple
• thyme
• orange zest
• salt, pepper, chili flakes

Kitchen Tools

Honestly, just a cutting board, a small mixing bowl, and your ingredients! Plus, a great big salad bowl that you love!

Hosting Tip:

Find a bowl that complements the colors of your salad. You can set the salad on the table as part of the tablescape for effortless and affordable entertaining.

The Steps

Step 0: Make the Candied Walnuts (Optional)

I’m calling this Step 0 because the recipe uses candied walnuts that can be store-bought or homemade. If you’ve got a favorite brand, go for it! Otherwise, making your own is so easy and so good.

Just toss raw walnuts with maple syrup (I love using leftover bourbon maple from my Gooey Pecan Cookie Bars), a little brown sugar, rosemary, and cayenne. Bake for about 10 minutes, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt. That’s it!

Step 1: Toss the Greens

Add the shredded Brussels sprouts and arugula to a large salad bowl.

Step 2: Whisk the Maple Vinaigrette

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, fresh thyme, orange zest, salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes.

It’s simple, but truly so delicious. The fresh orange zest brings a bright, tangy layer that wakes the whole salad up. I love citrus in winter, and the maple keeps everything cozy and just a little sweet. If you want more of that bourbon-infused maple flavor, use it here—vanilla bean maple would also be incredible.

Step 3: Toss and Finish

Pour the vinaigrette over the greens and gently massage it in. Add the Manchego cheese, candied walnuts, and dried cranberries. Toss again, taste, and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Serve and enjoy!

Make It Ahead

You can easily prep this salad before your holiday dinner.

• Toss the greens with the Manchego, walnuts, and cranberries. Store, lightly covered, in the fridge.

• Mix the vinaigrette ahead and keep in a jar.

Right before guests arrive, pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss. Letting it sit for a few minutes helps the flavors soak into the greens—so good. I hope this easy Make Ahead Thanksgiving Salad makes your Thanksgiving dinner just a little easier—and a lot tastier.

Looking for other winter salad recipes? Here are a few ideas: 

Winter Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts

Super Green Sun-Dried Tomato Herb Salad

Citrus Avocado Salad with Orange Tahini Vinaigrette

Kale Caesar Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Crispy Chickpeas

Lastly, if you make this Make Ahead Thanksgiving Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!