Turkey Salad Recipe

A simple Turkey Salad Recipe perfect for sandwiches, spreading on crackers, or topping off a bed full of mixed greens! It’s easy to make at home, even if you don’t have leftover Thanksgiving turkey on hand — however, if you do, now you’re talking really easy!

Today, we’ll cover how to bake perfectly juicy Turkey tenderloins for your salad, talk about that 2-minute dressing and exactly how to make it, and why Turkey Salad with dried cranberries is extra delicious!

WHAT’S IN TURKEY SALAD

• Turkey
• Finely Diced Onion
• Finely Diced Celery
• Dried Cranberries
• Mayonnaise
• Dijon Mustard

USE TURKEY TENDERS (OR LEFTOVER TURKEY)

Turkey Salad begins with turkey tenderloins. Turkey tenderloins are actually a part of the turkey breast, and you’ll find them in the poultry section of most grocery stores labeled “Turkey Breasts Tenders.” They are much smaller than the breast itself, and just the right amount of meat for this salad!

You could also use up your leftover holiday turkey. You will need about 1 – 1 1/2 pound of leftover turkey for this salad. That will come out to about 3 cups when cut into a 1/2″ dice.

2-MINUTE TURKEY SALAD DRESSING

Turkey Salad Dressing is shockingly quick and easy to make, and shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes to whip up. It’s made up of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and a simple seasoning mix of granulated sugar, salt, and pepper. The sugar might come as a surprise ingredient, but it is an essential component to the dressing.

TURKEY SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

Dried cranberries are the perfect addition to Turkey Salad as they add just a little hint of sweet to an overall savory mix. However, if you aren’t a dried cranberry fan, you can substitute sliced grapes or leave them out completely.

HOW TO MAKE TURKEY SALAD

1. Season and bake the turkey (if not using leftover turkey).
2. Cut the turkey into cubes about the size of a 1/2″ dice.
3. Make the dressing.
4. Add onions, celery, cranberries, and diced turkey to the dressing and stir to coat.

HOW TO SEASON AND BAKE TURKEY TENDERLOINS

If you’re not used to baking turkey tenderloins, no problem — it’s just as easy (and tasty) as baked chicken breasts in the oven!

The first thing you’ll do is pat the turkey tenderloins dry with a paper towel. This removes excess moisture and allows the oil and the seasoning to better adhere to the turkey.

Next, drizzle the turkey tenderloin with olive oil, season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder and rub it all over the tenderloins. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350° for 35 minutes.

If using leftover Thanksgiving Turkey, you can omit this step completely.

TURKEY SALAD FOR SANDWICHES…AND MORE!

Croissants filled with Turkey Salad make for a nice treat, but you’ll also find it divine between two slices of white, wheat, or oat bread! 

You can also use it as a topper for crackers or over greens. Romaine lettuce or a nice spring mix would make a great bed for this savory salad!

5 MORE SALADS YOU’LL LOVE

• Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds is a traditional chicken salad recipe with the perfect spreadable consistency thanks to a little kitchen technology.
• Bruschetta Chicken Salad is an exciting Italian chicken salad loaded with easy tomato bruschetta and a quick balsamic dressing!
• Panera Fuji Apple Salad is easy to make at home and you’ll have no trouble at all throwing it together in your very own kitchen!
• Leftover Chopped Turkey Salad is a fun alternative to the Turkey Salad featured above. Goat cheese is incorporated into the dressing and walnuts are added a little extra crunch. Perfect for entertaining and serving with crackers!
• Southwest Chopped Chicken Salad Tacos is a healthy taco recipe featuring Southwest chopped chicken, black beans, corn, crisp lettuce, and more. Plus, a creamy cilantro lime dressing to top it all off!

5 from 2 votes

Print

Turkey Salad

Prep Time

16 mins

Cook Time

35 mins

Total Time

51 mins

 

Amazing Turkey Salad with cranberries is great for sandwiches & salads! Includes easy steps for baking turkey breast tenderloins (if not using leftover turkey).

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Turkey Salad

Servings: 6

Calories: 268 kcal

Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

For the Turkey Breast Tenders:

• 1 1/2 pound turkey breast tenders
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

For the Salad:

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 stalks of celery, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

For the Turkey Breast Tenders:

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Have ready a sheet pan lined with foil, and prepare the turkey seasoning by combining 1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and a 1/4 teaspoon onion powder in a small bowl. 

2. Pat turkey breast tenders dry with a paper towel. Transfer to the pan, drizzle olive oil evenly over and rub in on both sides. Season the tenders generously with the seasoning. Evenly massage seasoning all over.

3. Bake for 35 minutes and allow to cool. Cut the turkey into a 1/2" dice and set aside.

For the Salad:

1. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. 

2. Add the onion, celery, cranberries, and cut up turkey to the bowl and stir until everything is evenly coated in the dressing. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Notes

1/2 cup per serving. Makes about 3 cups. 

Nutrition Facts

Turkey Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 268 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 13g 20%

Saturated Fat 2g 10%

Cholesterol 55mg 18%

Sodium 1074mg 45%

Potassium 84mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 10g 3%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 7g

Protein 27g 54%

Vitamin A 1.8%

Vitamin C 2.4%

Calcium 1.4%

Iron 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Source: The Kitch’n | What the Heck is Chicken Tender?