Thanksgiving Salad

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This simple Thanksgiving Salad comes loaded with roasted butternut squash, fresh baby spinach, candied almonds, feta cheese, and dried cranberries. The salad is dressed with an easy three-ingredient balsamic dressing.

Looking for more holiday side dishes? Make sure to try these famous mashed potatoes, this classic Thanksgiving dressing, and our favorite roasted brussels sprouts.

Thanksgiving salad filled with greens, butternut squash, feta, and more, ready to be tossed.

The Best Thanksgiving Salad

In my opinion, a Thanksgiving Salad should always find its way to your table—not just on Thanksgiving! It adds color, freshness, and variety to a plate often filled with delicious but heavy side dishes. A good salad, especially one loaded with roasted butternut squash, is always a favorite of mine.

Making a salad with homemade dressing might seem daunting while preparing Thanksgiving dinner, but this salad is designed to be easy. The dressing requires only three ingredients, and the salad has just five main ingredients, most of which are store-bought and pre-prepared. Roasting the butternut squash, adding spinach, adding extra toppings, and creating the dressing.

Ingredients In This Thanksgiving Salad

  • Pre-cubed Butternut Squash: Adds a sweet, nutty flavor and a tender texture.Olive Oil: Used for roasting the squash and as a base for the dressing.
  • Salt and Pepper: Season both the squash and the dressing.
  • Baby Spinach: Provides a fresh, leafy base for the salad.
  • Honey Roasted Almonds: Add a crunchy texture and a sweet, nutty flavor. Or try these Candied Pecans.
  • Dried Cranberries/Cherries: Offer a chewy texture and a tart-sweet taste.
  • Feta Cheese: Brings a creamy, salty contrast. Here are some other cheese options if you’re not a feta fan.
  • Balsamic Vinegar: Gives the dressing a tangy, sweet flavor to this Thanksgiving Salad.
  • Honey: Sweetens the dressing.

Pouring the delicious dressing over the Thanksgiving salad.

How To Make Thanksgiving Salad

  1. Roast Squash: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a sheet pan. Roast for 15 minutes, stir, then roast for another 10-15 minutes until tender. Let it cool.
  2. Prepare Dressing: Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a jar. Shake well.
  3. Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, add baby spinach. Drizzle half the dressing and toss gently. Add cooled squash, almonds, cranberries, and feta cheese. Toss lightly.
  4. Serve: Plate the salad and drizzle with the remaining dressing. Enjoy immediately for best freshness.

QUICK TIP

Buy pre-cut butternut squash. Not having to peel and cut a squash can be a real timesaver in this Thanksgiving salad. Many grocery stores sell squash that’s peeled, cut, and ready to roast. 

A Good Thanksgiving Menu:

Pair roasted butternut squash Thanksgiving Salad with the following dishes for a great Thanksgiving menu!

All the delicious ingredients mixed together: butternut squash, feta, cranberries, and more.

More Delicious Holiday Salads

FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content.

Thanksgiving Salad

5 from 2 votes
This simple Thanksgiving Salad comes loaded with roasted butternut squash, fresh baby spinach, candied almonds, feta cheese, and dried cranberries. The salad is dressed with an easy three-ingredient balsamic dressing.
Thanksgiving salad filled with greens, butternut squash, feta, and more, ready to be tossed.
Print Recipe

Thanksgiving Salad

Thanksgiving salad filled with greens, butternut squash, feta, and more, ready to be tossed.
5 from 2 votes
This simple Thanksgiving Salad comes loaded with roasted butternut squash, fresh baby spinach, candied almonds, feta cheese, and dried cranberries. The salad is dressed with an easy three-ingredient balsamic dressing.
Course Salad, Vegetarian
Cuisine American
Keyword thanksgiving salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 -8 servings as a side dish
Chelsea Lords
Calories 140kcal
Cost $6.12

Ingredients

  • 1 bag (16 ounces) pre-cubed butternut squash Note 1
  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fine sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
  • 1 bag (6 ounces) baby spinach
  • 1/3 cup honey roasted (salad-ready) sliced almonds Note 2
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries
  • 2-3 ounce crumbled feta cheese

Dressing

  • 2 and 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 and 1/2 teaspoons honey
  • Pinch of fine sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

Instructions

  • BUTTERNUT SQUASH: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Peel the butternut squash and chop it into small bite-sized pieces. Place on a large sheet pan and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper (to taste; I add about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper). Arrange the squash in an even layer on the tray. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven and stir. Return to oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes longer or until tender, but not mushy. Set aside and allow to cool for a bit before adding to salad. 
  • DRESSING: Combine all the dressing ingredients in a mason jar and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Shake to combine. Taste and adjust to personal preference. (Add more honey if you like sweeter, season with additional salt as desired.)
  • ASSEMBLE: Add spinach to a large bowl, removing any large stems and tearing large pieces if needed. Drizzle half of the dressing over the spinach and gently toss. Add roasted (and cooled to room temperature) squash, almonds, cranberries, and feta cheese. Very gently toss the salad ingredients.
  • SERVE: Serve salad onto plates and drizzle the last bit of dressing onto individual servings. Enjoy soon after being prepared, since this salad doesn't sit well with the dressing and ingredients. If you want to save leftovers, only dress and combine the ingredients that will be eaten the same day.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Squash: If you prefer to peel and chop your own butternut squash, you'll need 1 small-to-medium-sized butternut squash, which will yield about 4 heaping cups of cut squash. 
Note 2: Almonds: I buy the "salad-ready" honey-roasted almonds for this salad. To candy your own almonds, combine 1 cup sliced almonds with 1/3 cup white sugar in a large skillet. Set the heat to medium high and stir constantly. The sugar will begin to melt and become a sticky liquid and then cling to the almonds. This takes about 3-4 minutes -- watch carefully and stir constantly to avoid burning the nuts. Spread the candied almonds on a sheet of parchment paper and let harden. Break apart and use in this salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings | Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 12.5g | Protein: 2.2g | Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 3.2mg | Sodium: 38.3mg | Fiber: 1.8g | Sugar: 7.4g

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.

Our Favorite Products
More Recipes You'll Love

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

3 hrs 20 mins

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

Crockpot Turkey Breast

5 hrs 30 mins

Crockpot Turkey Breast

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

4 hrs 30 mins

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

Spinach Salad

30 mins

Spinach Salad

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

FREE BONUS

FREE BONUS

EASY MEAL SECRETS:
How to Make Mealtime Hassle Free!

5 secrets to easy, fast and delicious dinners.

[gravityform id="2" title="false" description="false"]

Leave a Comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. This salad looks delicious! I just got all of the ingredients and will bring this to my brothers Thanksgiving tomorrow. I’m sure it will be a huge hit and they will be surprised that I made it. Lol

Never Miss a Recipe

[gravityform id="3" title="false" description="false"]