Russian Food

21 Holiday Salads That Cut Through Heavy Plates

21 Holiday Salads That Cut Through Heavy Plates

Holiday meals tend to lean rich, heavy, and generous, which is exactly why a good salad matters. These 21 holiday salads are built to bring balance back to the plate with fresh textures, bright flavors, and ingredients that wake everything up. Each one holds its own next to big mains without feeling like an afterthought. They offer relief, contrast, and a reason to go back for another bite.

21 Holiday Salads That Cut Through Heavy Plates
Pickle Pasta Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Goat Cheese Salad

Goat cheese salad with greens, roasted beets, and candied walnuts on a plate.
Goat Cheese Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Goat Cheese Salad is a fresh salad made with greens, creamy goat cheese, nuts, and a simple vinaigrette. It takes about 15 minutes to assemble, making it easy to add last minute. The cheese adds richness without weighing the salad down. The flavor is tangy, slightly creamy, and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Salad

Mexican Cucumber Salad Recipe (Ensalada de Pepino)

Sliced avocado and red onion salad topped with herbs and spices on a white plate.
Mexican Cucumber Salad Recipe (Ensalada de Pepino). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mexican Cucumber Salad is a crisp mix of cucumbers, lime juice, and seasoning. It comes together in about 15 minutes and is best served chilled. The cucumbers stay crunchy and refreshing. The flavor is bright, tangy, and lightly spicy.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cucumber Salad Recipe (Ensalada de Pepino)

Purple Cabbage And Pickled Mushroom Salad

Red cabbage salad on a plate with a fork.
Purple Cabbage And Pickled Mushroom Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Purple Cabbage and Pickled Mushroom Salad combines shredded cabbage with tangy pickled mushrooms. It takes about 25 minutes to prepare, including light marinating time. The textures stay firm and crunchy. The flavor is sharp, savory, and slightly acidic.
Get the Recipe: Purple Cabbage And Pickled Mushroom Salad

Elegant Christmas Salad

A salad with greens, orange slices, goat cheese, walnuts, dried cranberries, and red onions on a plate.
Elegant Christmas Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Elegant Christmas Salad layers mixed greens with goat cheese, nuts, and seasonal fruit. It takes about 15 minutes to assemble before serving. The ingredients stay crisp and colorful. The flavor is lightly sweet, tangy, and fresh.
Get the Recipe: Elegant Christmas Salad

Bulgur Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash And Leeks

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Bulgur Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash And Leeks. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Bulgur Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Leeks mixes grains, roasted vegetables, and herbs. It takes about 45 minutes total, including roasting time. The bulgur stays tender while the squash adds softness. The flavor is nutty, mildly sweet, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Bulgur Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash And Leeks

Quinoa Cucumber Salad

A white plate with a serving of quinoa salad mixed with diced cucumbers, chopped herbs, red onions, nuts, and feta cheese. A gold fork is resting on the plate. The background is a light, textured surface.
Quinoa Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Quinoa Cucumber Salad combines cooked quinoa, cucumbers, herbs, and dressing. It takes about 25 minutes once the quinoa is cooked. The salad stays light but filling. The flavor is clean, fresh, and mildly tangy.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Cucumber Salad

Circassian Fried Cheese With A Middle-Eastern Field Salad

A plate with circassian fried cheese and vegetables.
Circassian Fried Cheese With A Middle-Eastern Field Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Circassian Fried Cheese with a Middle-Eastern Field Salad pairs pan-fried cheese with fresh greens and herbs. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and plate. The cheese adds warmth against the crisp salad. The flavor is savory, fresh, and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Circassian Fried Cheese With A Middle-Eastern Field Salad

Balsamic Berry Salad with Goat Cheese

A white bowl filled with a salad of leafy greens, sliced strawberries, blueberries, crumbled white cheese, and a drizzle of dark balsamic glaze, with a metal fork on the right side.
Balsamic Berry Salad with Goat Cheese. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Balsamic Berry Salad with Goat Cheese mixes fresh berries, greens, and creamy goat cheese. It takes about 15 minutes to assemble before serving. The berries add brightness and contrast. The flavor is sweet, tangy, and lightly creamy.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Berry Salad with Goat Cheese

Cucumber Dill Salad

Sliced cucumber salad with creamy dressing, fresh dill, and lemon wedges on a white plate with a fork.
Cucumber Dill Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cucumber Dill Salad combines sliced cucumbers, dill, and a creamy dressing. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and chill briefly. The cucumbers stay cool and crisp. The flavor is fresh, tangy, and herb-forward.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Dill Salad

Apple And Bitter Greens Salad

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Apple And Bitter Greens Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Apple and Bitter Greens Salad pairs crisp apples with hearty greens and a light dressing. It takes about 20 minutes to assemble. The apples bring sweetness and crunch. The flavor is slightly bitter, fresh, and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Apple And Bitter Greens Salad

Creamy Hungarian Cucumber Salad

A black bowl filled with creamy cucumber salad, garnished with fresh dill and cracked black pepper, with sliced cucumbers and onions visible. A metal spoon rests inside the bowl.
Creamy Hungarian Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Creamy Hungarian Cucumber Salad mixes cucumbers with sour cream, vinegar, and paprika. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and rest. The salad stays cool and smooth. The flavor is tangy, lightly creamy, and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Hungarian Cucumber Salad

Israeli Salad

Israeli chopped salad in a white bowl with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs.
Israeli Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Israeli Salad is a chopped mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and olive oil. It comes together in about 15 minutes. The vegetables stay crisp and juicy. The flavor is bright, fresh, and clean.
Get the Recipe: Israeli Salad

Israeli Tuna Salad With Pickles And Corn

Close up on tuna salad in bowl.
Israeli Tuna Salad With Pickles And Corn. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Israeli Tuna Salad with Pickles and Corn combines tuna, sweet corn, pickles, and dressing. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare once ingredients are ready. The textures stay chunky and satisfying. The flavor is savory, slightly tangy, and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Israeli Tuna Salad With Pickles And Corn

Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad

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Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Hot and Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad uses thinly sliced cabbage with vinegar and seasoning. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare. The cabbage softens slightly while staying crisp. The flavor is tangy, sharp, and lively.
Get the Recipe: Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad

Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad

A black bowl filled with a salad made of sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes in various colors, fresh herbs, and a fork resting on the side. A white cloth with blue stripes is partially visible in the background.
Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad mixes juicy tomatoes with crushed cucumbers and seasoning. It takes about 15 minutes to assemble. The smashed cucumbers absorb the dressing well. The flavor is fresh, savory, and lightly acidic.
Get the Recipe: Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad

Turkey Breast Salad

A plate of salad with spinach, slices of pear, pecans, chunks of chicken, cucumber, and cheese sits on a white surface next to a gold fork and spoon on a checkered napkin.
Turkey Breast Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Turkey Breast Salad combines sliced turkey, greens, and a light dressing. It takes about 20 minutes to assemble once the turkey is cooked. The salad feels filling without being heavy. The flavor is savory, clean, and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Breast Salad

Baked Feta and Egg Salad

Two slices of bread topped with egg salad and garnished with fresh herbs are placed on a gray plate. A small dish with lemon slices is partially visible in the background on the left. The surface below is light-colored.
Baked Feta and Egg Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Feta and Egg Salad features baked feta cheese, eggs, and greens. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and assemble. The feta softens while the eggs add substance. The flavor is savory, salty, and fresh.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta and Egg Salad

Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime and Sesame

A bowl of salad containing leafy greens, fresh herbs, sliced onions, and black sesame seeds on a light surface. Another dish with similar contents is partially visible to the side. There are scattered herbs around the bowl.
Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime and Sesame. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame mixes crisp lettuce with herbs and a light dressing. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare. The leaves stay crunchy and bright. The flavor is lightly sweet, citrusy, and fresh.
Get the Recipe: Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime and Sesame

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

Overhead view of cucumber salad.
Ukrainian Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad combines cucumbers, dill, and vinegar for a simple side. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare. The cucumbers stay cool and crisp. The flavor is tangy, clean, and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad

A close-up of a dish featuring rice, sliced cucumbers, herbs, and pieces of a pink ingredient, possibly grapefruit. A spoon is lifting a portion from the plate. The background shows a small bowl with a yellow interior.
Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad pairs fresh cucumbers with crunchy rice and dressing. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare, including crisping the rice. The textures contrast well in each bite. The flavor is savory, fresh, and light.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad

Pickle Pasta Salad

21 Holiday Salads That Cut Through Heavy Plates
Pickle Pasta Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pickle Pasta Salad mixes cooked pasta, chopped pickles, and a creamy dressing. It takes about 25 minutes to assemble and chill slightly. The pickles cut through the richness. The flavor is tangy, savory, and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Pickle Pasta Salad

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