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Meaningful Eats

Thanksgiving Green Salad (Crowd-Pleaser!)

8 servings
This Thanksgiving green salad is the perfect light and fresh holiday side dish!
With a simple white balsamic dressing, fresh fruit, creamy crumbled Feta, and crisp candied walnuts, it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

For the Dressing

  • ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove grated
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves minced
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

For the Salad

  • 5 ounces spring mix
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
  • 1 cup mandarin oranges drained
  • ½ cup pomegranate aerials
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
  • ½ cup candied walnuts

Instructions

For the Dressing

  • Add the balsamic, honey, dijon, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper to a small jar and use an immersion blender to blend for 15 seconds. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can do this in a small regular blender or with a whisk!
  • With the blender on medium speed, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue blending until the dressing is smooth and emulsified. Set aside until ready to use.
  • (Optional) This is a thick dressing– if you would like a thinner vinaigrette, add a tablespoon of hot water and blend to combine.

For the Salad

  • In a large serving bowl, combine the spring mix and romaine lettuce. Toss gently to mix them together.
  • Sprinkle the mandarin oranges, pomegranate aerials, crumbled feta, and candied walnuts evenly over the salad.
  • Drizzle about half of the dressing over the salad and serve the remaining dressing on the side. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

RECIPE NOTES
  • I love the sweetness and subtle flavor of white balsamic vinegar, but this Thanksgiving green salad is delicious with regular balsamic as well.
  • Take a shortcut by using canned mandarin oranges and store-bought candied walnuts. No one will notice the difference!
  • If you don't like Feta, try adding crumbled goat cheese to this Thanksgiving green salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2467IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1mg