Put your Thanksgiving leftovers to good use with this delicious Turkey Salad Recipe. Made with diced turkey and a creamy dressing, this easy recipe can be customized for sandwiches, crackers, or even swapped with chicken.
If you’ve made my Turkey Wings or Roasted Turkey Breast, this turkey salad is a perfect way to use up any leftovers for a quick, delicious meal.
What to do with Leftover Turkey
I’m always looking for quick and easy ways to repurpose leftovers. This turkey salad is a go-to recipe. It comes together in about 15 minutes and gives me a break from the heavier dishes we’ve been eating.
I love how versatile it is. Sometimes I’ll throw in extra veggies or swap turkey for chicken if that’s what I have on hand. Served on flaky croissant rolls, scooped on crackers, or mixed with lettuce, it's great as a meal, snack, or appetizer.
It’s perfect for lazy days following a big holiday meal when you don’t feel like cooking but still want something tasty. Enjoy this salad year-round, especially when you have leftovers to use up!
Ingredients
- Cooked turkey: Use leftover Thanksgiving turkey, diced or shredded.
- Mayonnaise: Start with 2 cups, but feel free to add more for a creamier texture based on your preference.
- Veggies: Diced celery and onion add crunch and flavor—feel free to adjust the amounts to your liking.
- Fruits: Red or green grapes (halved) or dried cranberries add a touch of sweetness. Both are optional but highly recommended for extra flavor (especially that turkey cranberry salad!).
- Seasoning: A blend of cumin, seasoned salt, and pepper gives this salad a nice savory kick, but you can adjust to taste.
- Lemon juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up the flavors and balances the creaminess of the mayo.
How to Make Turkey Salad
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
I like to dice the turkey into small cubes, but you can also shred it by hand if that's easier. Then, I add all the ingredients to a large bowl: mayonnaise, celery, onion, and grapes or cranberries if I'm using them.
I give it a good mix to combine everything, then stir in the cumin, seasoned salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Once everything is well mixed and the seasoning is evenly distributed, I cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.
You can pop it in the fridge to chill or serve it right away if you’re ready to dig in!
Pro Tips
- Chill for the best flavor. Letting the turkey salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes helps the flavors meld together.
- Dice your ingredients evenly. For the best texture, make sure your turkey, celery, and onion are diced evenly.
- Adjust seasoning for the turkey salad recipe to taste. Feel free to add more cumin, salt, or pepper depending on your flavor preferences.
- Mix in fruits last. If you’re using grapes or cranberries, fold them in gently at the end to avoid crushing them.
- Don’t overdo the mayo. Start with less mayo and add more as needed for the right level of creaminess. This is especially important for a turkey salad sandwich.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container. This turkey salad lasts up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Chicken Salad: You can use shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breasts for an easy swap.
- Creaminess: Adjust the amount of mayo to your desired creaminess. My recipe creates a great balance, but feel free to tweak it!
- Mayo Substitute: Swap mayo with plain Greek yogurt for a tangy twist on this turkey salad recipe.
- Nuts: Add walnuts or pecans for crunch. I love the way it tastes with the dried cranberries.
FAQ
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can! In fact, making it a few hours or even the night before allows the flavors to meld together, making it taste even better.
How long is leftover turkey good for?
Leftover turkey is generally good for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the turkey, where it will last for up to 2 to 6 months.
Can you freeze turkey salad?
I don't recommend freezing turkey salad. The mayonnaise can separate and affect the texture when thawed. For best results, enjoy the salad fresh or refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days. If you need to freeze it, consider freezing the turkey alone and adding the other ingredients fresh when ready to serve.
Related
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After you try this simple Turkey Salad recipe, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups Cooked turkey or chicken breast
- 2 cups Mayonnaise may add more if needed
- 3 ribs Celery diced
- ½ Onion diced
- 1 cup Red or green grapes cut in halves OR dried cranberries (optional but highly recommended)
Instructions
- Use a large bowl and dice the turkey into small cubes, or shred it with your hands.
- Add all of the ingredients: mayonnaise, celery, onion, grapes or cranberries if using them.
- Mix this all together thoroughly, and then mix in the cumin, seasoned salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir this up until the seasoning is well combined.
- Cover the bowl with a piece of plastic wrap or a lid, and place it in the refrigerator, or serve it right away.
Larry says
Delish
Gina says
Delicious