Delicious & Easy Leftover Turkey Salad: Your Go-To Post-Thanksgiving Recipe
Thanksgiving leftovers are a culinary treasure, offering endless possibilities to extend the festive flavors beyond the main event. Among these delightful post-holiday creations, this Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe stands out as a true champion. It’s not just a way to use up that delicious roast turkey; it’s a vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal in its own right. Imagine succulent chunks of leftover Thanksgiving turkey, crisp apples, and crunchy celery, all harmonized with the sweet-tart burst of dried cranberries. This combination delivers a protein and fiber-rich dish that’s both simple to prepare and remarkably versatile, making it the ideal healthy lunch or light dinner after a hearty holiday feast.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe
This isn’t just another turkey recipe; it’s a post-holiday revelation! Here’s why this particular leftover turkey salad will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen:
- Light, Fresh, and Power-Packed with Protein & Fiber: After indulging in a rich Thanksgiving dinner, your body often craves something lighter yet still satisfying. This easy turkey salad delivers exactly that. It’s an excellent source of lean protein from the turkey and ample fiber from the fresh produce, ensuring you feel full and energized without the heavy, sluggish feeling that can follow holiday meals. It’s the perfect high-protein lunch to get you back on track!
- Exceptional Texture Harmony: What truly elevates this turkey salad is its incredible textural contrast. Each bite offers the satisfying crunch of crisp celery and juicy apples, a delightful creaminess from the dressing, and the tender, flavorful bits of turkey, all punctuated by the chewy, tart sweetness of dried cranberries. It’s a symphony of textures that keeps your taste buds engaged and craving more.
- Effortlessly Quick and Simple to Prepare: Time is precious, especially during the busy holiday season. This recipe respects that! With minimal prep work, you can toss all the ingredients into a single bowl and have a gourmet-quality meal ready in minutes. It’s the ultimate fuss-free solution for busy days when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Infinitely Customizable to Your Taste: This recipe is a fantastic template for creativity. Don’t have pecans? Walnuts or even pumpkin seeds make excellent substitutes, adding their own unique crunch and flavor. For an extra layer of richness, consider stirring in some diced cheese – a sharp cheddar or a creamy Manchego would be exquisite. If apples aren’t your preference, pears can offer a softer sweetness. No leftover turkey? No problem! This recipe works beautifully as a chicken salad by simply swapping in diced cooked chicken breast, such as rotisserie chicken, making it a year-round staple.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Turkey Salad
Crafting the best leftover turkey salad starts with fresh, quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need, along with some notes and substitution ideas to make it truly your own:
- 3 cups leftover turkey: The star of our show! Ensure your turkey is already cooked and chopped into bite-sized pieces. Feel free to use a mix of both white and dark meat for a richer flavor profile. Any roasted turkey will work perfectly.
- 1 Honeycrisp apple: Diced to provide that essential sweet crunch. Honeycrisp apples are fantastic for their crisp texture and balanced sweetness, but any firm, sweet-tart apple like Fuji or Gala would also be a great choice.
- 1 cup celery (about 2-3 stalks) & 2 T red onion: These add a quintessential salad crunch and a subtle peppery bite. Celery is a classic for a reason, and the red onion provides a mild sharpness that brightens the entire dish. This is also a fantastic way to utilize any leftover fresh veggies from your holiday platter!
- ¼ cup chopped pecans & ½ cup dried cranberries: These elements bring a festive touch of nutty richness and a delightful sweet-tart chewiness. If you happen to have leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving, a dollop of that can be a wonderful, moist alternative to dried cranberries, adding even more holiday spirit to your salad!
- 3 T mayo + 2 T plain Greek yogurt: This combination forms the creamy, luscious base of our dressing. Using real mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip, which has a distinct sweeter flavor) is key for that classic, savory richness. The Greek yogurt lightens the dressing, adding a tangy note and a boost of protein, making the salad healthier and more balanced.
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard: This is the secret ingredient that adds a sophisticated hint of zing and depth, tying all the flavors together beautifully. Don’t skip it; it truly elevates the dressing!
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning. Start with a pinch of each, then taste and adjust to your preference. Proper seasoning makes all the difference!
- Optional garnish: A sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley if you have it on hand. Fresh herbs add a wonderful aroma and an extra layer of fresh flavor that complements the turkey and fruit beautifully. Yum!
Simple Steps to Create Your Turkey Salad
Making this delicious leftover turkey salad is incredibly easy and takes just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps for a perfect outcome:
Step One: Prepare Your Base. In a large mixing bowl, combine your chopped turkey meat, diced fruit (apples), chopped veggies (celery and red onion), and pecans. Ensure all ingredients are roughly the same size for even distribution of flavor and texture. This initial mix forms the hearty foundation of your salad.
Step Two: Dress and Season. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl: mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. With a spatula or large spoon, toss everything gently to combine. Make sure the creamy dressing thoroughly coats all the turkey, fruit, and vegetables. Once well mixed, taste a small spoonful and adjust the seasoning with extra salt and pepper as needed to achieve your perfect flavor balance.
That’s all there is to it! In just a few quick minutes, you’ve taken your Thanksgiving leftovers and transformed them into a fresh, flavorful, and absolutely fabulous meal. Enjoy the magic!
Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Leftover Turkey Salad
The beauty of this turkey salad lies in its incredible versatility. It’s not just a standalone dish; it’s a canvas for countless delicious meals. Here are some of our favorite ways to savor every bite:
- Light & Refreshing Salad: For a super light and fresh meal, pile generous scoops of the turkey salad onto a bed of crisp mixed greens, baby spinach, or crunchy lettuce cups. It’s a low-carb, high-protein option that’s perfect for lunch or a quick dinner.
- Classic Turkey Salad Sandwiches: Recreate a deli-style favorite by spreading the turkey salad generously onto your favorite bread. Whether you prefer a hearty multigrain, a soft brioche, or gluten-free toast, it makes for a satisfying and nostalgic sandwich experience. Add a slice of tomato or a fresh lettuce leaf for extra crunch.
- Party-Ready Appetizer: Hosting guests or looking for an elegant snack? Serve this turkey salad with a selection of sturdy crackers, pita bread, or crisp cucumber slices. It makes for an easy and impressive appetizer that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Savory Wraps: Spoon the salad into large lettuce leaves, whole wheat tortillas, or lavash bread for a quick and portable wrap. Perfect for packed lunches or a picnic.
- Stuffed Avocados or Bell Peppers: For a nutritious and visually appealing meal, halve an avocado and remove the pit, then fill the cavity with a generous scoop of turkey salad. Similarly, hollow out small bell peppers and stuff them for a colorful and crunchy dish.
- Honestly? Just Grab a Spoon!: When hunger strikes and you need a quick, satisfying bite, there’s absolutely no shame in enjoying this turkey salad straight from the bowl with just a spoon. It’s that good!
Tips for the Best Leftover Turkey Salad
- Chill Before Serving: While delicious immediately, this salad truly shines after an hour or two in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld and the dressing to fully penetrate the turkey and vegetables, creating a more cohesive and flavorful dish.
- Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a looser, creamier salad, you can add a little more Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, or even a splash of milk or lemon juice, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Chop Evenly: Aim for consistent sizing when chopping your turkey, apple, and celery. This ensures an even distribution of ingredients in every bite and a harmonious texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix gently to combine all ingredients without mashing the turkey or fruit. We want to preserve those lovely textures!
Frequently Asked Questions About Leftover Turkey Salad
Absolutely! To make this delicious turkey salad dairy-free, simply swap the Greek yogurt for a dairy-free plain yogurt alternative or an extra tablespoon or two of dairy-free mayonnaise. Ensure you choose a plain, unsweetened variety for the best flavor balance.
This recipe is incredibly versatile! You can easily customize it with a variety of delicious additions. Consider adding chopped grapes for a burst of juicy sweetness, toasted walnuts for extra nutty crunch, or a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors even further. For a unique twist and more depth of flavor, a touch of curry powder in the dressing can be surprisingly delicious, giving it an Indian-inspired flair. Hard-boiled eggs, corn kernels, or even a sprinkle of crumbled bacon can also be fantastic additions!
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this turkey salad will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. It’s perfect for meal prepping your lunches for the beginning of the week!
Yes, absolutely! If you don’t have leftover turkey, or if you want to make this recipe any time of year, shredded rotisserie chicken works as an excellent substitute. The convenience of pre-cooked chicken makes this recipe even faster to prepare.
Yes, it is! Packed with lean protein from the turkey, fiber and vitamins from the apples and celery, and a lighter dressing thanks to the Greek yogurt, this turkey salad is a wholesome and nutritious choice. It’s designed to be satisfying without being overly heavy, making it an ideal healthy lunch or light dinner.
We hope you love this incredible Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe as much as we do! It’s a fantastic way to extend the holiday spirit and enjoy those delicious Thanksgiving flavors in a fresh, new light. If you try this recipe, please consider leaving a 5-star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and a review in the comments section below. Your feedback truly means the world to us!
Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe
Nancylynn
4 servings
Pin Recipe
15 minutes
15 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped turkey already cooked
- 1 diced apple I used honeycrisp
- 1 cup celery diced
- 2 T red onion diced
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 3 tablespoons mayo
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard – adds a great zing!
- salt + pepper – pinch of each then more to taste
- optional garnish – fresh herbs
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped turkey meat, diced apple, diced celery, diced red onion, and chopped pecans.
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To the bowl, add the dried cranberries, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Toss gently with a spoon or spatula until all ingredients are evenly coated in the creamy dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 17g
Protein: 55g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g
Monounsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0.02g
Cholesterol: 153mg
Sodium: 186mg
Potassium: 167mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 13g
Vitamin A: 149IU
Vitamin C: 3mg
Calcium: 71mg
Iron: 3mg
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