Turkey Salad

This Turkey Salad is a quick and delicious way to use up leftover turkey. It's perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or enjoying on its own.

Turkey Salad

Turkey salad is a simple and delicious way to use up leftover turkey from holiday meals or weeknight dinners. I'm personally not a huge fan of turkey, but this turkey salad is so incredibly delicious.

It only takes a few fresh ingredients and a creamy homemade dressing, this dish comes together in minutes.

It's versatile enough to be served on its own, in a sandwich, or wrapped in lettuce for a light and refreshing meal.

Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a way to transform leftovers, this turkey salad is sure to become a go-to recipe.

Ingredients

Leftover Turkey
Diced leftover turkey is perfect for this recipe, but you can also use rotisserie turkey or chicken if you don't have leftovers. Both white and dark meat work well, depending on your preference.

Mayonnaise
Use a high-quality mayonnaise for the best flavor.

Dijon Mustard
Dijon mustard adds a nice tangy flavor to the dressing. For a milder taste, regular yellow mustard can be used.

Lemon Juice
If fresh lemons aren't available, bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch.

Sugar

Celery
Make sure to dice it finely for an even texture throughout.

Red Bell Pepper
You can also use yellow or orange bell peppers if you prefer.

Green Onion
Thinly sliced green onion adds a mild, fresh onion flavor. If you want a stronger onion taste, consider using finely diced red or yellow onion instead.

Seasonings
Salt, pepper and dill weed are all you need. You can adjust based on your preferences.

How to Make Turkey Salad

To make this turkey salad, start by preparing the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, sugar, and dried dill weed until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Next, in a large bowl, combine the diced turkey, celery, red bell pepper, and green onion.

Once the salad ingredients are mixed, pour the prepared dressing over the top.

Stir everything together until the turkey and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.

Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve the turkey salad immediately or refrigerate it for later.

Tips for Making

Here are some tips for making turkey salad:

Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best results, use fresh ingredients, especially when it comes to the vegetables and herbs.

Adjust the Dressing to Taste: Start with the recommended amounts of mayonnaise, mustard, and lemon juice, but feel free to adjust the quantities to suit your taste. If you prefer a tangier dressing, add a little more mustard or lemon juice. For a creamier texture, increase the amount of mayonnaise.

Chill Before Serving: While you can enjoy the turkey salad immediately, allowing it to chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes helps the flavors meld together and improves the overall taste.

Dice Ingredients Evenly: For a more cohesive salad, dice the turkey, celery, and bell pepper into small, uniform pieces.

Add Extra Crunch: Consider adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, if you want.

Make It Ahead: Turkey salad is a great make-ahead dish. Prepare it the night before and store it in the fridge. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even more delicious the next day.

Customize with Extras: Feel free to customize your turkey salad by adding extras like dried cranberries, grapes, or even diced apples.

Leftovers

To store for later, transfer the salad to an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

Before serving leftovers, give the salad a good stir to recombine the dressing and make sure all the ingredients are evenly coated.

Ways to Enjoy Turkey Salad

There are several creative ways to use up leftover turkey salad.

You can spoon it onto a bed of mixed greens for a quick and easy lunch.

Use it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps.

For a lighter option, serve the salad wrapped in lettuce leaves, creating a low-carb, refreshing meal.

Another idea is to stuff the salad into hollowed-out tomatoes or bell peppers.

What to Pair With

Here's some ideas on what to pair with this turkey salad:

Veggie Tray: Sliced carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, and cauliflower with some dip or hummus to dip into.

Mixed Green Salad: A fresh mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great complement.

Crackers or Pita Chips: Serve turkey salad with a side of crackers or pita chips for a quick and easy snack or appetizer.

Sliced Avocado
Creamy avocado slices pair perfectly with turkey salad.

Fruit Salad
A light fruit salad makes a well-rounded meal.

Roasted Vegetables
Pair with roasted vegetables like asparagus, carrots, or Brussels sprouts.

Stuffed Tomatoes or Peppers
Hollow out tomatoes or bell peppers and stuff them with turkey salad.

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