You MUST serve one of these salads on Thanksgiving - Heather Christo

If you are going to someone else’s house for Thanksgiving there is a VERY HIGH chance that you will be asked to bring a salad. Salads are easy. Salads are non-threatening. Salads are forgettable- so you think. I also know you probably don’t think you have room for salad on your precious plate when there are so many amazing sides to be had. But you are wrong (as long as it is one of the below salads.) Sometimes a salad can be so dang good that they dominate plate space. Like compete with the mashed potatoes kind of good. Try one and see for yourself.

Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Fried Goat Cheese

I live for shredded raw brussels sprouts. They also don't hurt when they have big chunks of fried goat cheese on top, right?

Escarole, Bacon and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Dried Apricots and Pepitas

Not exaggerating- it's my favorite salad right now. Hands down, and is gracing our 2015 Thanksgiving table.

Frisee Salad with Pears, Hazelnuts, Blue Cheese and Cranberry Mustard Vinaigrette

Pretty, Simple and delicious with the added benefit of having an unusual green which just makes things more interesting, right?

Brussels Sprouts Caesar with Crispy Pancetta

MORE shredded brussels sprouts- this time they are the base of a gasp* Ceasar salad. YUM. Crispy pancetta and a boat load of parmesan don't hurt either.

Smoky Romaine and Avocado Salad

It can just barely get better than this. If you love avocado and you love smoked paprika, then you should just be done and done.

Kale, Beet and Bacon Salad with Goat Cheese Vinaigrette

GOAT. CHEESE. VINAIGRETTE. plus kale. plus bacon. plus beets. oh yeah, and it's beautiful.

Kale Salad with Roasted Pumpkin, Cranberries and Goat Cheese

This is all good things Autumnal rolled into a kale salad. Like a greatest hits album (candied pecans, roast pumpkin, dried cranberries, etc) this too will be a greatest hit.

Kale Salad with Lemon, Almonds and Pecorino

Last but definitely not least. This is my rip off from the famous kale salad at Barbuto in New York. God lord it's good. I don't know anyone who has had this and doesn't think it is next level delicious. If you don't mind copious amounts of pecorino- DO THIS!!

If you are going to someone else’s house for Thanksgiving there is a VERY HIGH chance that you will be asked to bring a salad. Salads are easy. Salads are non-threatening. Salads are forgettable- so you think. I also know you probably don’t think you have room for salad on your precious plate when there are so many amazing sides to be had. But you are wrong (as long as it is one of the below salads.) Sometimes a salad can be so dang good that they dominate plate space. Like compete with the mashed potatoes kind of good. Try one and see for yourself.

Recipe by Heather Christo (http://heatherchristo.com)