Need a green salad for Thanksgiving or Christmas? This Maple Cider Holiday Salad (aka Holiday Slaw) is my FAVORITE festive salad to prep ahead of time for holidays, parties, and potlucks (and also for weekday lunches).
Guys…I love this salad. I make it all the time.
I love it so much, I even love to have it for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Yup. It’s that good.
And my secret?
It partially comes from a bag. Have you tried this gem from Costco?
Guys…it’s SO delicious and an amazing value for what you get inside that bag. Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, broccoli…so much goodness.
That dressing packet and those cranberries/pumpkin seeds? I toss those…because while I love that I don’t have to chop all the veggies for this easy Holiday Salad, there’s nothing like a homemade dressing. Especially this Maple Cider Vinaigrette…I’ve used it before in my Fall Harvest Mason Jar Salads, but I really wanted to use it again for this Holiday salad!
And in case you don’t have a Costco near you, I’ll walk you through how to make this salad on your own in the recipe card. It’s still super easy (especially if you have a food processor) and I’ve done it a bunch of times since Costco isn’t that close to me and it’s always such a project to go, especially with the kids in tow.
Besides the veggies and dressing in this salad, I really don’t add much to it…and here’s why – I want to be able to dress the salad right before dinner, but I don’t want to worry that the ingredients are going to get soggy. Especially if you are serving this salad for Thanksgiving or another holiday party or dinner, you can totally dress this salad and forget it…because the hearty kale, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are totally going to hold up.
Think of it like a Holiday slaw…I actually almost named it that. And, as I writing this, I feel like I could almost change it. What do you think?
Should I use toppings on the Holiday Salad?
I usually just add in some sliced almond, pecans, seeds, and or dried cranberries (make sure you look for ones without added sugar) along with the dressing and call it a day.
Sometimes, when I am feeling a little extra, I will have some additional toppings on the side – clementines, sliced apples, matchstick pears, or goat cheese are favorites!
It also makes a delicious dinner or lunch with your favorite protein. I love it with my Air Fryer Salmon (fresh or frozen) or my Chicken Salad with Grapes.
Can I make this Maple Cider Holiday Salad ahead of time?
Yes! Combine the salad base ingredients ahead of time, no problem. The dressing can be made the day before too. It might even be better! Then dress and toss the salad before serving. I often put the toppings on the side for guests to customize!
It’s a perfectly delicious Holiday Salad that you can Fix and forget!
Like this Holiday Salad recipe? Try another Salad/Potluck Recipe-
Easy Gluten-free Mediterranean Chickpea Salad | 21 Day Fix | Weight Watchers | 2B Mindset
Warm Honey Roasted Butternut Squash Salad (21 Day Fix)
21 Day Fix Harvest Salad Bites with Honey Goat Cheese
21 Day Fix Mexican Street Corn Salad
Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salad {21 Day Fix}
More Thanksgiving and Holiday Recipe Ideas –
40+ Gluten Free Thanksgiving Recipes
21 Day Fix and 2B Mindset Thanksgiving Recipes
Instant Pot Stuffing with Brown Rice and Sausage (21 Day Fix)
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole [21 Day Fix | Gluten-free | Dairy-free | Paleo]
Warm Honey Roasted Butternut Squash Salad (21 Day Fix)
21 Day Fix Cranberry Holiday Salsa
21 Day Fix Crispy Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Parmesan, and Balsamic
Holiday Bruschetta Appetizers {21 Day Fix}
Instant Pot Baked Brie (21 Day Fix Approved)
Instant Pot Deviled Eggs with Bacon, Cheddar, and Chives | 21 Day Fix, WW, Keto
21 Day Fix Mini Arancini Rice Balls {Gluten-free}
Maple Cider Holiday Salad
Ingredients
Salad Option 1
- 1 bag Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad Kit from Costco
Salad Option 2
- 8 oz Brussels sprouts sliced thin using a sharp knife or food processor
- 2 cups finely chopped kale
- 1 cup broccoli slaw
- 2 cups thinly sliced cabbage I buy a small bag of pre sliced red cabbage
For the dressing
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 5 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 5 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Sprinkle salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Toppings (Optional)
- Dried cranberries
- Chopped nuts or seeds
- Fruit: apples, clementines, pears, berries
- Goat cheese or feta cheese
Instructions
- Combine ingredients for dressing and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Toss vegetables together for salad and add desired toppings. If you plan to dress the salad before serving, I would serve fruit and cheese toppings on the side.
- When you are ready, pour dressing over salad and toss well to combine.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator...I still love it the next day!
Deborah says
Wanted to let your readers know that Sam’s Club also carries the Sweet Kale salad mix. I buy it frequently, and it’s so easy to throw together a salad to accompany our meal. At this time, the cost is $2.64 a bag. I’m looking forward to making the dressing recipe.
Nancylynn says
Oh thank you so much for sharing!! Hope you love it!
Sara says
Served this salad and dressing with thanksgiving dinner just to lighten up the meal and it was amazing! Everyone loved it and loved the dressing as well! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Nancylynn says
YES! Such a great addition to your Thanksgiving spread! Thank you for taking the time to rate and review the recipe!
Melissa Hostetler says
Very good and easy! The dressing is light and refreshing.
Nancylynn says
I’m so happy you enjoyed this!!!