### Salads: The Unnoticed Treasure of Thanksgiving Feasts
Salads frequently serve as the most unnoticed side option during Thanksgiving and other festive meals, which is truly regrettable. They provide a revitalizing counterbalance to the heaviness of classic holiday dishes, enhancing the meal and contributing a celebratory flair. Featuring a salad on your Thanksgiving table, even for just yourself, can greatly enrich the dining affair. Below are some of my preferred salads that are ideal additions to your ultimate Thanksgiving feast.
#### 1. The Pinnacle Kale Salad
This is my most cherished salad to prepare and savor. It showcases tender massaged kale, shredded Brussels sprouts, a Japanese rice vinegar and soy dressing, crunchy almonds, and sweet apple. The mix is genuinely scrumptious.
**Ingredients:**
– 1/4 cup rice vinegar (preferred Japanese)
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 2 tbsp mirin
– 2 tbsp neutral oil
– 1 tbsp sugar
– 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
– 2 bunches kale (thinly chopped, approximately 8 cups)
– 1 lb Brussels sprouts (shredded, around 6 cups)
– 1 cucumber (sliced)
– 1 apple (cut into matchsticks, preferably Fuji)
– 1 carrot (shredded)
– 1/4 cup sliced almonds
– Optional: sliced roast chicken breast, cubed roasted squash
**Nutrition Facts (per serving):**
– Calories: 318
– Fat: 13.7g
– Protein: 10.4g
[Read more about the Pinnacle Kale Salad →](https://iamafoodblog.com/ultimate-kale-salad/)
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#### 2. TikTok Green Goddess Salad
This salad has risen to fame on TikTok, and for excellent reasons. It’s a crisp, spoonable salad that merges the crunch of cabbage with a velvety dressing. For an added flavor kick, think about substituting parmesan for nutritional yeast.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 small cabbage (finely chopped)
– 3-4 small Persian cucumbers (finely chopped)
– 1 bunch green onions (sliced)
– 1/4 cup chives (finely chopped)
**Green Goddess Dressing:**
– Juice from 2 lemons
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 2 tbsp rice vinegar
– 2 cloves garlic
– 1 small shallot
– 1 cup fresh basil
– 1 cup spinach
– 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
– 1/4 cup walnuts
– 1 tsp salt
**Nutrition Facts (per serving):**
– Calories: 285
– Fat: 18.3g
– Protein: 11.2g
[Read more about TikTok Green Goddess Salad →](https://iamafoodblog.com/tiktok-green-goddess-salad/)
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#### 3. The Finest Broccoli Salad
This salad is ideal for making ahead, as it improves with marination. Raw broccoli florets are coated in a sweet and tangy dressing, enhanced by sweet raisins, onion, and sliced almonds.
**Ingredients:**
– 3 cups broccoli (chopped)
– 1/4 cup red onion (diced)
– 1/4 cup craisins
– 2 tbsp sliced almonds
– 1/2 tsp toasted sesame seeds (to finish)
**Dressing:**
– 1 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tbsp rice vinegar
– 1 tbsp neutral oil
– 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
– 1/2 tbsp sugar
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
**Nutrition Facts (per serving):**
– Calories: 106
– Fat: 7.1g
– Protein: 2.9g
[Read more about The Finest Broccoli Salad →](https://iamafoodblog.com/the-best-broccoli-salad/)
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#### 4. Pasta Salad
Although pasta salad may appear more fitting for summer, it remains a key dish at our holiday celebrations. This zesty and refreshing preparation is loaded with various vegetables, making it a bright addition to any spread.
**Ingredients:**
– 6 oz short pasta
– 2 cups red cabbage (finely sliced)
– 1 red pepper (cored and sliced)
– 1 orange pepper (cored and sliced)
– 1 cucumber (deseeded and julienned)
– 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
– 1/2 small red onion (thinly sliced)
– 1/3 cup fresh cilantro (roughly chopped)
– 1/3 cup green onions (sliced)
**Dressing:**
– 1/3 cup rice vinegar
– 1/3 cup neutral oil
– 1-2 tbsp soy sauce