Easy Salads for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving salads do not have to be complicated or leafy. This collection brings together four cool, creamy sides that can add color and variety to a warm holiday meal.
Choose from sweet Snickers Salad, classic Ambrosia Salad, colorful Cranberry Fluff, or refreshing Grape Salad. Each one is simple to prepare, and several can be made ahead while you work on the rest of dinner.
Jump straight to a recipe
Tap a button below to open the full recipe and get started.
1. Snickers Salad
No-cook · 20 min · Serves 8
Snickers Salad is a four-ingredient, no-cook side made with crisp Green apples, Snickers pieces, Whipped topping, and Light brown sugar. Chill it before serving for an easy addition to a Thanksgiving buffet.
What you need
- Snickers (cut into pieces)
- Green apples
- Whipped topping
- Light brown sugar
Best for: A sweet, make-ahead Thanksgiving side
2. Ambrosia Salad
No-cook · 20 min · Serves 8
This no-cook ambrosia salad brings together Maraschino cherries, Mandarin oranges, Pineapple chunks, Shredded coconut, and Mini marshmallows. It is easy to prepare ahead and serve cold at Thanksgiving.
What you need
- Maraschino cherries
- Mandarin oranges
- Pineapple chunks
- Shredded coconut
- Mini marshmallows
Best for: A colorful make-ahead side for Thanksgiving
3. Cranberry Fluff
Make-ahead · 30 min · Serves 8
Cranberry fluff is a creamy Thanksgiving salad made with cooked cranberries, pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, cream cheese, and whipped topping. It is easy to prepare ahead and adds a cool, colorful contrast to a warm holiday meal.
What you need
- Cranberries
- Cream cheese
- Crushed pineapple
- Whipped topping
- Mini marshmallows
- Pecans
Best for: A creamy, make-ahead side for Thanksgiving dinner
4. Grape Salad
No-cook · 20 min · Serves 8
This no-cook grape salad brings red and green grapes together with whipped topping and brown sugar for a creamy, refreshing Thanksgiving side. It can be made ahead and chilled while the rest of the meal comes together.
What you need
- Red & green grapes
- Whipped topping
- Brown sugar
Best for: A cool, make-ahead side for Thanksgiving dinner
Which Salad Should You Make?
Snickers Salad and Grape Salad are no-cook options when you want something quick to stir together. Ambrosia Salad is a familiar choice with fruit, coconut, and marshmallows.
Cranberry Fluff takes a little more preparation because the cranberries are cooked, but it can still be made ahead and chilled before serving.
Make-Ahead Tips
Prepare these salads early enough for them to chill thoroughly, then cover and refrigerate until the meal is ready. Give each salad a gentle stir before serving, if needed, and add any reserved toppings just before bringing it to the table.
Final Thoughts
These Thanksgiving salads offer an easy mix of creamy textures, colorful fruit, and make-ahead convenience. Add one or two to your holiday menu for sides that can be ready before the main meal.
