19 Easy Holiday Salads Made for Passing Around at Parties

Holiday gatherings move fast, and having fresh sides that everyone can pass around makes hosting feel easier. These 19 easy holiday salads are built for busy kitchens and tables filled with guests. They bring color, crunch, and balance to spreads that often lean heavy, while still being simple enough to prep ahead or assemble at the last minute. This is the kind of list that gives parties a little lift and keeps people going back for another scoop.

Goat Cheese Salad

Goat Cheese Salad is assembled by layering greens, fruit, and vegetables, then crumbling goat cheese on top and finishing with a lemon-based dressing. Because everything is raw and quick to mix, it belongs among easy holiday salads that can be made shortly before guests arrive. The creamy cheese and fresh produce help keep the party spread from feeling too heavy while still feeling special. Served in a wide bowl, it moves easily around the table as everyone takes a little for their plates.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Salad

Colombian Fruit Salad

Colombian Fruit Salad is built by chopping a variety of fruit and folding it into a simple creamy dressing so it can chill while other dishes are prepared. Because it is served cold and made ahead, it fits neatly into a spread of easy holiday salads that travel well to parties. The bright fruit and light texture help balance richer mains and desserts, especially when guests want something fresh. Set out in a big bowl with a serving spoon, it becomes a shareable dessert-style salad people keep circling back to.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Fruit Salad

Creamy Hungarian Cucumber Salad

Creamy Hungarian Cucumber Salad is prepared by slicing cucumbers and onions thinly, salting them briefly, then stirring in a simple creamy dressing. With no cooking and only straightforward prep, it fits neatly into a group of easy holiday salads that can be made early in the day. The cool, tangy flavor gives a refreshing break from heavy party foods while still feeling familiar. Set in a deep serving dish, it passes easily among guests who want something crisp on their plates.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Hungarian Cucumber Salad

Fennel And Mango Slaw

Fennel and Mango Slaw is made by slicing fennel and mango into thin strips and tossing them with a quick dressing, so the only time needed is for chopping and resting in the fridge. The crunchy texture and light sweetness make it one of the easy holiday salads that cut through heavier roasts and casseroles at parties. It holds well in a serving bowl without wilting, which makes it simple to pass around at gatherings. This slaw brings a bright contrast that keeps plates from feeling too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Fennel And Mango Slaw

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad starts with cooked couscous that cools on the counter before being mixed with vegetables, herbs, and cheese. Once the couscous is ready, it becomes one of the easy holiday salads that can be made in advance and served at room temperature for parties. The sturdy grains and roasted add-ins stand up well in a big bowl that guests can scoop from again and again. It works as a shareable side that anchors the salad section of the table.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime and Sesame

Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame uses chopped lettuce and herbs tossed with a maple-lime dressing and sesame seeds, which comes together in just a few minutes. This is one of the easy holiday salads that is simple to assemble before a party and holds well in the fridge until serving time. The light sweetness and crunch pair well with rich seasonal dishes without taking much effort from the cook. It sits nicely on a buffet where guests can help themselves as the bowl travels up and down the table.
Get the Recipe: Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime and Sesame

Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad

Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad comes together by lightly crushing cucumbers, chopping tomatoes, and tossing everything with a simple dressing. With no heat involved and fast prep, it easily fits into a group of easy holiday salads that can be made at the last minute before a party. The crisp vegetables and juicy texture help balance richer dishes on a buffet. It is the kind of dish that disappears quickly once the bowl starts moving around the room.
Get the Recipe: Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad

Mixed Berry Pretzel Salad

Mixed Berry Pretzel Salad is assembled by baking a quick pretzel crust, topping it with a creamy layer, and finishing with berries and gelatin, then chilling until firm. Because it can be made ahead and served straight from the fridge, it lines up well with easy holiday salads that are perfect for parties and potlucks. The mix of crunch, cream, and fruit works as a dessert-style salad that sits comfortably next to other sweets on a holiday table. Sliced into squares in a large pan, it is simple to pass around and share.
Get the Recipe: Mixed Berry Pretzel Salad

Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad)

Russian Vinaigrette Salad begins with root vegetables that are cooked until tender, cooled, and then chopped and tossed with pickles and dressing. Once the vegetables are cooked ahead of time, it turns into one of the easy holiday salads that can rest in the fridge and only gets better as it sits. The bright color and hearty vegetables fit winter gatherings well and look striking on a shared table. It works as a scoop-and-pass salad that pairs well with roasts and baked mains.
Get the Recipe: Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad)

Arugula Salad With Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, And Pomegranate Seeds

Arugula Salad With Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, and Pomegranate Seeds comes together quickly by tossing crisp greens, cheese, nuts, and fruit with a simple vinaigrette, with no cooking needed. This makes it one of those easy holiday salads that can be prepped ahead and placed on the table right before guests arrive. The mix of textures and color looks festive in a shared bowl and holds up well as it gets passed around at parties. It brings a bright crunch to the spread that people keep reaching for between bites of richer food.
Get the Recipe: Arugula Salad With Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, And Pomegranate Seeds

Apple And Bitter Greens Salad

Apple and Bitter Greens Salad comes together by slicing apples, tearing greens, and tossing them with nuts or seeds and a quick dressing just before serving. The simple prep and no-cook method make it one of the easy holiday salads that fit into a busy cooking schedule. The mix of sharp greens and sweet fruit pairs nicely with rich mains and feels right for cool-weather gatherings. Passed around in a large bowl, it adds a crisp bite that guests welcome between heavier sides.
Get the Recipe: Apple And Bitter Greens Salad

Berry Salad With Red Onions, Arugula, Nuts, And Pomegranate Arils

Berry Salad With Red Onions, Arugula, Nuts, and Pomegranate Arils starts with fresh berries and greens layered in a bowl, then finished with nuts and onions for contrast. Everything is raw, so this is one of the easy holiday salads that comes together in minutes with just slicing and stirring. The sweet and savory mix tastes fresh alongside heavier dishes and looks right at home on a party table. It works well as a pass-around salad that adds color and crunch to every plate.
Get the Recipe: Berry Salad With Red Onions, Arugula, Nuts, And Pomegranate Arils

Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette comes together by tossing greens with berries, soft cheese, and nuts, then drizzling everything with a quick balsamic dressing. The simple, no-cook prep means it belongs among easy holiday salads that can be thrown together while other dishes rest. Its mix of fruit and greens helps lighten the spread and still feels right for a festive party table. Once the bowl is set out, it tends to make its way around the room quickly as guests add a spoonful to their plates.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad comes together by chopping broccoli and apples, mixing in nuts and dried fruit, then stirring everything with a simple creamy dressing. The only real time needed is for chopping, which keeps it firmly in the group of easy holiday salads that fit busy party days. The mix of crisp vegetables and fruit brings a fresh crunch to spreads that might lean heavy on baked dishes. Once placed in a generous serving bowl, it has a way of being passed around until the last spoonful is gone.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Salad starts with a pot of quinoa cooked until fluffy, then cooled and tossed with vegetables, chickpeas, herbs, and a lemon-based dressing. When the grains are cooked ahead of time, it turns into one of the easy holiday salads that can be prepared in advance and served at room temperature. The hearty texture makes it a good option for guests who want something lighter yet still filling at parties. It fits easily into a shared table where bowls of salad move from hand to hand throughout the evening.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad

Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing

Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing starts with washed greens and berries laid in a bowl, then covered with a quick blended dressing made from blueberries. The short prep time and simple method keep it in the category of easy holiday salads that can be ready just before guests walk in. Its bright color and fresh flavor fit nicely among party dishes that might lean rich and heavy. It brings a fresh, shareable option that looks beautiful as the serving bowl travels across the table.
Get the Recipe: Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing

Authentic Panzanella Salad

Authentic Panzanella Salad starts with toasted or day-old bread cubes that soak in juices from chopped tomatoes, onions, and dressing until they soften. After the bread is ready, it becomes one of the easy holiday salads that can rest at room temperature and hold well on a party buffet. The hearty texture makes it a good match for cold-weather gatherings without needing any last-minute cooking. Served in a large rustic bowl, it is made for passing around at parties where guests like to try a little of everything.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Panzanella Salad

Salmon Salad

Salmon Salad is made by flaking cooked or canned salmon and mixing it with chopped vegetables and a simple dressing, then chilling until serving time. Prepared this way, it can join other easy holiday salads as a protein-forward option that still feels light enough for parties. It works well as part of a buffet where guests can spoon a portion over greens or onto their plates. Set out in a wide, shallow bowl, it moves easily from one end of the table to the other as people pass it along.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Salad

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad) is prepared by boiling potatoes and vegetables, then chopping and folding them into a creamy dressing once they cool. Because it can be made in advance and kept chilled, it belongs with easy holiday salads that are ready to set out as soon as guests arrive. Its rich yet familiar flavor makes it a classic choice for cold-weather parties and shared tables. Spoonfuls travel easily from bowl to plate as it makes the rounds at gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)