Thanksgiving Salad – Connoisseurus Veg

November 18, 2023

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This festive Thanksgiving salad is loaded with candy and savory flavors! Made with roasted Brussels sprouts, candied pecans, recent pears and dried cranberries over greens, then topped off with creamy tahini dressing, it is the proper addition to any vacation desk. It is vegan and gluten-free, so everybody can take pleasure in it!

White wooden surface set with bowl of Thanksgiving Salad, decanter of dressing, and serving spoon.

Let me introduce you to the Thanksgiving facet dish that you just in all probability by no means knew you wanted (however completely do). Prepare for the Thanksgiving salad!

This recipe is definitely in all probability a bit overdue. See, just a few years again I supplied to deliver a salad to my household’s Thanksgiving dinner. I did not anticipate a lot enthusiasm, however everybody was truly tremendous psyched about it. All of them appeared to essentially like the concept of some leafy greens to interrupt up the limitless parade of carby goodness like mashed potatoes, vegan candy potato casserole, and vegan stuffing.

So I made that salad and it was successful! I have been making a model of it yearly since then, and that is my newest and best embodiment.

Whereas it is a inexperienced salad, it’s a little on the decadent facet, with maple roasted pecans and dried cranberries. It’s for Thanksgiving in spite of everything! However I’ve supplied some lighter choices under as properly, so learn on if that is what you are after.

Bounce to:

Substances You will Want

Brussels sprouts.
Olive oil. That is for roasting our sprouts. You should utilize one other high-heat oil if you happen to want.
Salt and pepper.
Pecans. Walnuts would make a superb various, and they are often roasted utilizing the identical technique because the pecans, described under. Bought a nut allergy within the household? Attempt roasted sunflower seeds or pepitas as a substitute.
Maple syrup. That is for making the candied pecans. Skip it for a lighter model of this dish and simply use roasted pecans. You will additionally use it within the tahini dressing, however if you happen to’d want a much less candy dressing strive my lemon garlic tahini dressing.
Tahini. This can be a sesame seed paste that is usually used to make hummus. Search for it within the worldwide aisle of your grocery store.
Apple cider vinegar.
Spring combine. You should utilize one other leafy salad inexperienced if you would like. Child spinach, arugula, and butter lettuce would all be nice decisions.
Pears. Any widespread kind of pear will work, and you would even substitute apples. I used a few Bartlett pears.
Dried cranberries. For a lighter various, strive changing these with pomegranate arils or grapes.

Tip: If you happen to’re considering of constructing this a essential dish and want to add some protein, strive topping it with my savory lemon and herb baked tofu.

How It is Made

The next is an in depth picture tutorial on the way to make this dish. Scroll all the way in which down if you would like to skip proper to the recipe!

Start by roasting your Brussels sprouts and pecans.

Reduce the Brussels sprouts in half (or quarter them, in the event that they’re very giant), place them on a baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil. Use your palms to rub the oil in, then organize the sprouts in an excellent layer and sprinkle them with salt.

Pop them within the oven!

Bowl of pecans covered in maple syrup with a spoon.

Whereas the sprouts roast, place the pecans in a bowl with maple syrup. Stir to coat them with syrup.

Maple syrup soaked pecans on parchment paper.

Prepare the pecans on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle them with salt and place them within the oven with the sprouts.

The pecans shall be executed first. Take them out of the oven after they’ve darkened and the syrup is bubbly and beginning to caramelize on the nuts. Ensure to position the baking sheet on a wire rack so that they are utterly cool by the point you are prepared to make use of them.

Roasted Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet.

The sprouts are executed after they’re browned and crispy.

Tip: Maintain a detailed eye on each the sprouts and pecans as they roast. Each tend to burn rapidly, notably the pecans!

Tahini dressing in a bowl with wire whisk.

To make the dressing, first whisk collectively the tahini, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and salt. Whisk in some water, a splash at a time, till the combination is creamy however pourable.

Hand pouring tahini dressing over a bowl of salad.

To make your salad, first organize a mattress of spring combine in a big salad bowl. High it with diced pears, dried cranberries, roasted Brussels sprouts and candied pecans. Drizzle your salad with dressing and provides it a superb toss earlier than serving.

Tip: You may select to depart the dressing on the facet in order that your company can use as a lot as they’d like. This may even assist the salad to maintain higher in case you have leftovers.

Leftovers & Storage

Thanksgiving salad is finest served the identical day it is made — on Thanksgiving! However if you happen to do have some leftovers, they’re going to maintain in an hermetic container within the fridge for about 3 days. It is best to retailer the salad and dressing individually, if in any respect potential. The dressing will maintain for at the very least two weeks in a sealed container below refrigeration.

Extra Salads to Attempt

Like this recipe? If that’s the case, please cease again and depart me a evaluation and ranking under if you happen to strive it! Additionally make sure to comply with me on Fb, Pinterest or Instagram, or subscribe to my e-newsletter for extra recipes like this one!