November 30, 2024 6 Comments
This turkey salad recipe is really the entry level of what you can do with all of that leftover turkey.
My first big idea with the inevitable after Thanksgiving was a Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe. I love this one because it is a white chili and everyone is surprised by how good this can be.
This turkey salad recipe is really a chicken salad recipe because they are so similar.
I always use Dijon mustard in my chicken salad because it imparts creaminess and a kick of flavor to keep it from being bland. The non-fat Greek yogurt is added to cut calories without compromising creaminess.
I added celery for a crunch and pickles because why not?
My daughter ate all of this salad after telling me that she hates turkey. I do think that adding pickles (one of her favorite foods) was the ingredient that sold her on this salad.
You can add whatever you have in the fridge to this salad and it will work – cranberry sauce or dried cranberries, raisins, almonds, fresh parsley (or any herb), sliced grapes, apples….. It is a palette for you to a paint on.
If you don’t want to make chili or turkey salad with the leftover roasted turkey, you can always freeze it for a later date. I slice off a huge hunk and toss it into a freezer bag for an easy meal in December when things get super crazy. Turkey freezes well.
I make Instant pot stock with the turkey bones (and I usually freeze the carcass) when I have time. It is a luxury to have homemade stock to make soup out of when January hits.
What do you put in your turkey salad recipe? How do you deal with the leftovers? Thanks for sharing!
Best Turkey Salad Recipe
Makes 8 cups
Ingredients
2 pounds leftover turkey, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup sour pickles, chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
almonds, raisins, grapes, chopped parsley for topping (optional)
Instructions
Mix turkey, celery, pickles, mayonnaise, yogurt, and mustard in a medium bowl. Add toppings if desired and serve. This is great on its own, in a sandwich, or on a bed of lettuce.
Nutrition Facts
Using only turkey breast (1/2 cup) = 82 calories, 2.2 g fat, 0.4 g saturated fat, 4 g carbohydrates, 2.9 g sugar, 11.2 g protein, 0.4 g fiber, 600 mg sodium, 2 Green, 2 Blue, 2 Purple WW SmartPts
Points values are calculated by Snack Girl and are provided for information only. See all Snack Girl Recipes