Do you have lots of leftover Thanksgiving turkey and are not sure what to do with all of it? Well, we have you covered with this easy leftover turkey salad!
Think your typical chicken salad, but we are using leftover turkey instead. It has some sweetness from the apples, nuttiness from the walnuts, and some crunch and freshness from the celery.
We used greek yogurt to pump up the protein, but you can also swap it out for mayonnaise if you prefer that. Combined with some leftover cranberry sauce and lemon juice, it’s the perfect dressing for it all!
It’s great for after the holidays when you are feeling like you have had one too many pieces of pumpkin pie. No shame in that, but prioritizing some nutrient-dense meals to have easy access to after the holidays always feels good!
Why we love this easy turkey salad recipe
- uses up leftovers so you don’t waste any food
- made in one bowl and ready in 10 minutes!
- packed with protein
Turkey salad ingredients
- leftover turkey meat – a mix of light and dark meat works for the best flavor
- apples – for some crunch and freshness
- celery
- walnuts
- leftover cranberry sauce – I like using homemade as it adds a nice flavor and mixes great with the yogurt for dressing the salad.
- plain greek yogurt – I like using full-fat.
- lemon juice
- honey – for a touch of sweetness
- salt and pepper
How to make leftover turkey salad
- Make the turkey salad. Add all ingredients to a large bowl. Stir well to combine. Adjust according to taste. If you have time, let it chill for a few hours to allow the flavors to come together.
- Enjoy! Serve in a sandwich, salad, or however you like!
How long can leftover turkey be used?
Leftover cooked turkey can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. If making this salad, I suggest making it a day or two after you cook your turkey so you can enjoy it for a couple of days.
What to serve with leftover turkey salad
- in sandwiches or lettuce wraps
- salad – toss it with mixed greens and any veggies you like.
- with crackers
- turkey salad melts – on top of a piece of toast, and then melt a little cheese on top. SO GOOD!
Storage
- refrigerator – store the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. The time will depend on when you first cooked your turkey.
- freeze – I wouldn’t recommend freezing this recipe due to the greek yogurt used.
Substitutions and additions
- leftover turkey meat – light or dark turkey meat will work. Shredded chicken also works well.
- apples – grapes will work instead of apples.
- celery – if you don’t like celery, you can totally leave it out.
- walnuts – pecans or almonds will work instead of walnuts.
- cranberry sauce – if you don’t have leftover cranberry sauce, you can use dried cranberries instead.
- greek yogurt – full-fat or fat-free greek yogurt works. Mayo will work instead of yogurt, it will just lower the protein and increase the fat.
- honey – maple syrup will work instead or you can leave it out altogether.
And here are some additions to spice it up:
- fresh herbs – parsley or dill would work well.
- spices – add some garlic powder, onion powder, or cumin.
- diced onion – try red onion or green onion to add a little more zip.
- bacon – to add some savoriness.
More healthy salad recipes
- cranberry pecan chicken salad
- tahini tuna salad with apples
- healthy egg salad
- chopped fall harvest salad
- avocado chicken salad
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Leftover Turkey Salad
ingredients
- 4 heaping cups leftover turkey meat, shredded/cubed (1 pound – use a mix of light and dark meat for the best flavor)
- 2/3 cup diced apple (120 grams)
- 1/2 cup diced celery (65 grams)
- 1/3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (35 grams)
- 1/4 cup homemade cranberry sauce *
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (4 ounces/I like using full-fat)
- 1/2 tablespoon honey (optional, depends on how sweet your cranberry sauce is)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- salt and pepper, to taste
instructions
- Make the turkey salad. Add all ingredients to a large bowl. Stir well to combine. Adjust according to taste. If you have time, let it chill for a few hours to allow the flavors to come together.
- Enjoy! Serve in a sandwich, salad, or however you like!
Dad says
Love it great for leftovers
Ann Marie says
This was the perfect way to utilize our leftover turkey… Followed it to a “T” and it tasted so good!
Kelly Nardo says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Ann Marie! Thanks for trying it!
Dan says
Loved it and a good way to enjoy the leftovers
Kelly Nardo says
Happy to hear it, Dan!