Easy Thanksgiving Salads Good Enough to Outshine Other Sides

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Mediterranean Farro Salad

This Mediterranean-inspired side is a deliciously balanced dish with nutty, chewy farro as the base, adding a hearty texture to every bite. Creamy cheese, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and toasted pine nuts bring richness, while mixed greens lighten and freshen up the salad. Perfectly suited for any season, it’s ideal as a side or a stand-alone meal with a simple balsamic dressing!

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

For the Salad:

• 1 cup farro, rinsed and cooked according to package instructions
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
• ½ cup cheese, cubed or crumbled (feta, goat, or mozzarella work well)
• 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Dressing:

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook farro according to package instructions, drain, and set aside to cool slightly.
2. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pine nuts for 2–3 min, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4. In a large salad bowl, combine cooked farro, sun-dried tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, cheese, and mixed greens. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.