Easy Thanksgiving salads for 2021
These simple and Easy Thanksgiving salads will have you wanting to make these all throughout the year!
Ok, sure you think about the turkey dressing (or stuffing depending on where you are in the world) and pies but do you think about salads? What are some easy go to cold salads that your family will enjoy this Thanksgiving? These salads are so easy and they are salads that you can make any time of the year! Don’t wait until Fall (or Autumn) to get these bad boys a try!
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First on the list is one of my family favorites’ and that is Kongnamool otherwise known as Korean mung bean salad. I know what you’re thinking…. why would I want a mung bean salad for Thanksgiving? Well, not only does it pair well with Turkey it is one of the easiest and flavorful salads I have yet to try.
My husband is Korean and he introduced me to this recipe many years ago. At first he was the only one making it but the last few years I have been the main chef whipping up this amazing mung bean salad. All you need are a few simple ingredients that you can find at most grocery stores. Check out the Asian isle first and the mung beans can be found in the refrigeration section usually by the bags of salads.
Another thing I will mention is that this Easy Thanksgiving salad has a bit of a kick to it but you can always add less (or more) Korean chili powder or gochujang to the recipe. Make it your own!
Kongnamool aka Korean Mung Bean Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 bag bean sprouts Find these in the produce section
- 1 tsp either chili flakes or chili paste to taste (Gochujang)
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil you can add more to taste
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1-2 green onions finely chopped
- First you are going to take the mung beans and rinse them. Place them into a pot of boiling water and par boil for about 2 minutes. You aren’t going to boil them for long, we only want to PAR-boil these.
2. Drain the beans and immediately put them into a bowl with ice (this shocks them, just like you do boiled eggs).
3. While the beans are cooling add everything else into a small bowl and whisk together- this is where you can adjust your spice level to your liking.
4. Place cooled beans into mixture and toss.
5. Top with toasted sesame seeds and green onions
6. Refrigerate or serve immediately
It’s that simple! And it doesn’t require much time at all! I can literally get these done from start to finish in 5 minutes. Now, isn’t this dish worth 5 minutes of your time?
The next salad I am going to be talking about is one you probably have had in one point of your life. This salad is usually served with BBQ or during the summer months but I say Why not have it year round? Yeap you guessed it I’m talking about good ole
potato salad!
Now, there are MANY different ways to prepare and make a potato salad but I will be sharing the one that I have been making since I was a small child. This particular potato salad has won over many hearts including my husband and his family. This is another salad that doesn’t require much of your time. The longest time will be the time it takes for the potatoes to boil. Usually, you can find all of these ingredients in your pantry and fridge. So, there’s no special or fancy ingredients you need to go out and buy.
You can use pretty much any type of potato you want in your potato salad but I have found that either white potatoes or russet potatoes work best. Try different ones each time and see which type of potato you like best!
The only potato salad recipe you will ever make:
Ingredients:
- 4-5 large Russet Potatoes Peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp salt (divided)
- 1 tbsp pepper
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise NOT MIRACLE WHIP
- 1 cup Yellow mustard
- 1/2 large onion diced
- 1/2 cup Dill pickles Diced: Make sure they’re not sweet pickles
- 2 tsp Dill pickle juice This is my secret!
- 4 boiled egg whites Chopped: white part only (this is optional)
Directions:
- Put peeled an diced potatoes into a big pot filled 1/2 way with water and put 1 tsp salt in water
- Boil potatoes until al dente but not too tender (about 15 mins)
- Once Potatoes are done, drain and set aside to cool (start boiling eggs here if you are using eggs)
- While potatoes are cooling grab ALL other ingredients including the extra salt and mix into a large bowl. After this is done if you’re using eggs peel and dice up white parts and place into mixture
- After potatoes have cooled enough for you to touch them without getting burned place all potatoes into mixture and mix breaking down bigger chunks of potatoes with a fork. You want the mixture a bit chunky but not huge chunks.
- Add more salt and pepper to taste
- Place in fridge to cool about an hour and serve!
For the last salad I don’t really consider this a “salad” per say but more of a dessert! My husband would disagree with me on this one though lol It’s
FRUIT Salad!
This SUPER EASY (salad) Is just a matter of putting everything together and letting it chill in the fridge while you make your Turkey or sides.
First buy whatever cans of fruit you want in your salad, we use different ones almost every time but some staples are Maraschino cherries, peaches, pears, and mandarin oranges. We add things like berries, mango, fresh apple slices, grapes. Literally any fruit you think will be good.
Make sure you drain the juices out of the can really well but DON’T THROW AWAY THE JUICES! Put them in a container and use the juice with your ham yummmmmmmmmmmm
After draining all the juices pour a pack of pistachio pudding into your big bowl of fruit and then put a whole bowl of cool whip into your bowl and mix it all really well. Make sure to fold in the pistachio pudding with the cool whip really good.
Last, cover with plastic wrap or use these awesome silicone toppers and let it get really cold in the fridge while you make the rest of dinner!
Note: Make sure to take your cool whip out of the freezer about 10-20 minutes before starting this salad.
Quick Fruit Salad
Equipment
- Big bowl
- strainer
Ingredients
- 5-6 cans favorite fruit examples: Maraschino cherries, peaches, pears, and mandarin oranges. We add things like berries, mango, fresh apple slices, grapes. Literally any fruit you think will be good.
- 1 pack pistachio pudding Don't mix just pour packet in fruit
- 1 tub cool whip Take out of your freezer 10-20 minutes before you start making the salad
Instructions
- Open all cans of fruit
- Drain fruits really well ( DO NOT DISCARD JUICES) You can use them for your ham or anything else that requires basting.
- Put fruit into big bowl and add pistachio pudding packet
- Fold in cool whip and make sure pistachio pudding is mixed in as well
- Place plastic wrap or silicone cover onto bowl and place in refrigerator
Notes
Why not make these Easy Thanksgiving salads during the entire year? Why not make these EASY salads for Thanksgiving? Or maybe even Halloween or Christmas? Whenever you decide to make them drop me a comment and let me know how you like them! I really love to hear how my recipes turn out for you and how you make them your own. Now, go and make your own traditions and your own Easy Thanksgiving salads! Happy Holidays!
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If you need an easy way to cook your Thanksgiving Turkey or you forgot to thaw it out in time check out my post on how to cook a Frozen Turkey in your instant pot.