Don’t think an indulgent holiday spread is the place for a salad? Think again! This Thanksgiving salad with hot bacon dressing is the perfect balance to the heavier dishes on your table.

This salad brings fresh flavors and splash of color to your plates, and people will thank you for having a healthy option among all the rich turkey day staples. It’s an easy one to prepare, too—maybe the simplest on your entire Thanksgiving menu.

You just toss the fresh greens and other tasty ingredients together, then prep and pour the dressing over the top. It’s such a yummy blend of tastes and textures: bites of crisp greens, savory dressing, tangy cheese, and pops of sweet fruit and nut flavors.

The bacon dressing’s decadent richness is the unexpected twist that ties it all together, especially giving it something a little extra for a special holiday meal.

What to serve with this Thanksgiving salad

If you haven’t started dreaming up your plans for the first big holiday meal of the season, we have you covered here! There may not be a better holiday when comfort food shines brightest.

Naturally, your Thanksgiving turkey will be the grand entree, but don’t you always look forward to your favorite side dish (or four)? I know I do.

Here are a handful of my family’s favorite sides for this big meal, and this salad fits right in:

Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Southern Cornbread Dressing (Not “stuffing” in the South! See recipe for more.)
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole With Fresh Green Beans
Orange Sweet Potato Soufflé
Grandma’s Homemade Yeast Rolls

And for dessert, you can’t go wrong with a classic pie—or several, if you have a crowd! Here are recipes for three of my family’s favorites: classic pumpkin pie, my mom’s best apple pie recipe, and the best pecan pie recipe.

In case you are wondering, you do not have to wait for Thanksgiving dinner to enjoy this delicious salad. It’s the perfect pairing with soups any time. My roasted butternut squash soup is really good with it!

Ingredients needed to make this Thanksgiving salad recipe

Below are the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe, plus a little more info about how each contributes to the finished dish.

Mixed Spring Greens: Gives the salad its crisp, refreshing base. 
Honeycrisp Apples: Add a sweet, juicy flavor. While I thinly slice these, some people prefer them in small, crunchy cubes.
Pomegranate Seeds: Bring bursts of tangy flavor and vibrant color. 
Blue Cheese or Feta Cheese Crumbles: Take your pick! Either choice adds a creamy, savory flavor.
Candied Pecans: Add crunch and sweetness.
Hard-Boiled Eggs: Bring protein with a satisfying textural contrast to the other ingredients.
Bacon + Grease: The foundation of the dressing, giving it a smoky, savory base. 
Shallot: Contributes a mild onion flavor and complexity to the dressing.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Gives the dressing slightly tangy, fruity notes.
Sugar: Balances the tanginess with sweetness.
Cornstarch: Thickens the dressing. 
Salt: Enhances and unites all the flavors.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Saute pan
Immersion blender or regular blender
Small mixing bowl
Salad bowl

Frequently asked questions about making this Thanksgiving salad recipe

Whenever I serve or share this recipe, people tend to ask similar questions. I have covered them with answers below. Let me know in the comments section if you have other questions, and I will be glad to respond just as soon as I can!

How can I make a salad more filling?

When it comes to giving salads more substance, people almost always add more protein, which is the easiest approach. While chunks of Thanksgiving turkey will be delicious atop this particular salad, other options could be grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. But really the bacon and eggs add a lot of substance.

What other ingredients could I add or substitute in this salad?

Feel free to experiment with different types of greens, fruits, nuts, and cheeses. Some delicious alternatives might include swapping the Honeycrisp apples for pears, using goat cheese instead of blue cheese or feta, or trying walnuts instead of pecans.

How long can I store the hot bacon dressing?

You can store the hot bacon dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week without the dressing. Gently reheat the dressing in the microwave or on the stovetop before using. I might not add the apples until I’m ready to serve it, though, because they will brown if left in the fridge for a week.

What other types of salads are good with this dressing?

This versatile, savory, and salty dressing can be used on plenty of other salads. Doesn’t bacon go with everything? Try it with dark leafy greens like spinach or kale salad, an arugula blend if you like a hint of pepper taste, or butter lettuce to contrast savory with sweet. Mix in the add-ons of your choice and top it with grilled shrimp, chicken or steak.

For a bit of a departure from typical green salad recipes, a Brussels sprouts salad goes well with this dressing, too. You’d prepare it the same way and simply pour it over shaved Brussels sprouts blended with chopped almonds and dried cranberries.

More Grandma-Approved Recipes

If you like this Thanksgiving salad recipe, I bet you will also like checking out these other yummy recipes.