Ultimate Creamy Turkey Salad

This Turkey Salad Recipe is the ultimate solution for transforming your holiday leftovers into something truly extraordinary and crave-worthy. Say goodbye to mundane post-Thanksgiving meals and hello to a vibrant, fresh, and irresistibly creamy turkey salad, packed with juicy turkey, crisp celery, sweet cranberries, and an herb-infused dressing that will make your taste buds sing.

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A Turkey Salad So Good, You’ll Crave It Straight From the Bowl!

As a passionate food blogger, my kitchen often buzzes with new recipe ideas, but if there’s one culinary category my loyal readers consistently return to, it’s my chicken salad recipes. From zesty hot honey chicken salad to aromatic rosemary variations, refreshing apple chicken salad, and even a delightfully tangy dill pickle chicken salad, these creations have become household favorites.

So, when the festive season leaves us with an abundance of Thanksgiving turkey, my mind immediately turns to this exceptional turkey salad. It’s more than just a way to use leftovers; it’s a culinary experience in itself. I find myself making multiple batches because it disappears so quickly – it’s truly that addictive!

This particular turkey salad holds a special place, right alongside my beloved Green Goddess Chicken Salad. It’s incredibly quick to prepare, surprisingly easy, and bursting with flavors that make it a standout dish. Prepare to fall in love with your leftovers all over again!

Why You’ll Adore This Easy Turkey Salad Recipe

This isn’t just another turkey salad; it’s a meticulously crafted blend designed to delight. Here’s why this recipe will become your go-to for holiday leftovers and beyond:

• Effortless Transformation: Take simple leftover turkey and elevate it into a gourmet meal with minimal effort. It’s a fantastic way to extend the enjoyment of your holiday feast.
• Bursting with Flavor: Each bite offers a harmonious balance of savory turkey, sweet dried cranberries, and the earthy crunch of pecans, all brought together by a creamy, tangy, and herb-infused dressing.
• Perfect Texture Contrast: The combination of tender turkey, crisp celery, and crunchy pecans creates an engaging textural experience that keeps every spoonful interesting.
• Highly Customizable: This recipe provides a solid foundation, but it’s wonderfully flexible. Easily adjust ingredients to suit your taste preferences or what you have on hand.
• Versatile Serving Options: Whether tucked into a sandwich, rolled in a wrap, served over greens, or enjoyed as a dip, this turkey salad is incredibly adaptable to any meal occasion.
• Quick to Prepare: In just 15 minutes, you can have a fresh, flavorful, and satisfying meal ready to enjoy, making it ideal for busy post-holiday schedules.

Essential Turkey Salad Ingredients

Crafting the perfect turkey salad begins with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and how each component contributes to the dish’s delightful flavor and texture profile:

Simple Steps to Make This Delicious Turkey Salad

Creating this flavorful turkey salad is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect outcome every time:

1. Finely Dice and Combine Salad Ingredients: Start by ensuring all your salad components – the leftover turkey, celery, green onions, dried cranberries, pecans, and fresh dill – are finely chopped. This creates a cohesive texture where flavors meld beautifully in every bite. Place all these diced ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
2. Prepare the Creamy Dressing: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, onion powder, and garlic powder until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined. Taste the dressing and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Remember, if your leftover turkey was already well-seasoned, you might need less salt.
3. Dress the Salad to Perfection: Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the diced salad ingredients in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together until all the turkey and other components are evenly coated with the dressing. Give it a final taste and adjust any seasonings if necessary. Then, get ready to enjoy your masterpiece!

Expert Tips for the Best Turkey Salad

• Finely Dice Everything: For a cohesive and pleasant texture, make sure all your solid ingredients (turkey, celery, cranberries, pecans, green onions) are finely diced. This allows the flavors to meld together more effectively.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your dressing and the final salad before serving. Leftover turkey’s seasoning can vary, so adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice to your preference.
• Chill for Enhanced Flavor: While delicious immediately, this turkey salad benefits from chilling in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This allows the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully.
• Don’t Overmix: Gently fold the dressing into the salad ingredients to avoid shredding the turkey too much and to keep the celery and pecans crisp.
• Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh dill makes a significant difference. While dried herbs can be used in a pinch, fresh provides a brighter, more vibrant flavor.
• Toast Your Nuts: Lightly toasting the pecans (or any nuts you use) before adding them to the salad brings out their natural oils and enhances their nutty flavor.

Creative Ways to Serve Your Turkey Salad

This versatile turkey salad isn’t just for sandwiches! Here are some delightful ways to enjoy it:

• Classic Sandwich Filler: Pile it high in a buttery croissant, between slices of your favorite toasted whole-grain bread with crisp lettuce, or on soft brioche buns for a truly decadent treat.
• Light & Healthy Wraps: Roll it up in a soft tortilla for an easy lunch, or opt for a refreshing lettuce wrap (using butter lettuce or endive leaves) for a low-carb option.
• Elegant Salad Topper: Spoon a generous portion over a bed of mixed greens, spinach, or arugula. Add some cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, or a sprinkle of goat cheese for an elevated meal.
• Quick Cracker or Veggie Dip: Serve it as a hearty dip with an assortment of crackers, pita chips, or fresh vegetable sticks like sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots.
• Stuffed Vegetables: For a colorful and healthy presentation, scoop the turkey salad into halved and seeded avocados, bell pepper halves, or hollowed-out tomatoes.

More Inspired Ways to Utilize Your Leftover Turkey

Don’t let any of that delicious holiday turkey go to waste! Beyond this fantastic turkey salad, there are countless ways to reinvent your leftovers. Here are some other cherished recipes to help you make the most of every last bite:

Turkey Salad Recipe

By Chelsea Lords

Turn Thanksgiving leftovers into a delicious Turkey Salad with juicy turkey, crisp celery, sweet dried cranberries, and a creamy herb dressing. Simple and tasty!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 2 loaded sandwiches

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Cutting board and sharp knife

Ingredients

Salad

• 2 cups finely diced leftover turkey
• 1/4 cup finely diced celery
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup finely diced dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
• 2-1/4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill

Dressing

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise (Hellman’s/Best Foods recommended)
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving: (See Recipe Notes)

Instructions

1. Prepare Salad Base: Ensure all ingredients listed under “Salad” are as finely diced as possible for a consistent texture and flavor distribution. Combine the diced turkey, celery, green onions, dried cranberries, pecans, and fresh dill in a large mixing bowl.
2. Whisk the Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, onion powder, and garlic powder until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste; depending on how seasoned your leftover turkey already is, you might need less salt.
3. Combine and Serve: Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the chopped salad ingredients in the large bowl. Stir gently until everything is nicely coated. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning (salt, pepper, lemon juice) as needed to achieve your desired flavor balance. Refer to the “Serving Suggestions” in the Recipe Notes for delicious ways to enjoy your turkey salad.

Recipe Notes

Serving Suggestions:

1. Sandwich filler: Stuff it in a croissant or between slices of toasted whole-grain bread with fresh lettuce.
2. Wrap it up: Roll it in a tortilla or use large lettuce leaves for a lighter wrap.
3. Salad topper: Spoon a generous amount over a bed of mixed greens or spinach.
4. Cracker spread: Serve as a delectable dip with your favorite crackers or crunchy sliced cucumbers.
5. Stuffed veggies: Scoop the salad into halved avocados or colorful bell peppers for a vibrant and satisfying meal. My favorite way to serve it is loaded on toasted whole-grain bread with fresh lettuce and a little extra mayo!

Storage: Turkey Salad will stay fresh for up to three days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Freezing isn’t recommended, as the creamy dressing tends to separate and become watery upon thawing. Instead, freeze any excess leftover turkey and use it to make a fresh salad at a later date.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 912 kcal | Carbohydrates: 18 g | Protein: 68 g | Fat: 65 g | Saturated Fat: 14 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14 g | Trans Fat: 0.1 g | Cholesterol: 265 mg | Sodium: 1109 mg | Potassium: 172 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 14 g | Vitamin A: 368 IU | Vitamin C: 4 mg | Calcium: 62 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information is an approximation and will vary based on exact ingredients and preparation.