What do you do with all that delicious leftover turkey after a big holiday feast? This Holiday Turkey Salad is the perfect answer. It takes the comforting flavors of the holidays and transforms them into a fresh, creamy, and irresistible dish. It's the ideal post-Thanksgiving lunch or a light, festive appetizer that you can serve throughout the season.

This salad is a beautiful balance of textures and flavors. You have the tender, savory turkey, the tangy chewiness of dried cranberries, and the delightful crunch of toasted pecans. Everything is bound together by a simple, creamy dressing that is both zesty and rich. It's a quick and easy way to turn leftovers into a meal that feels brand new and just as special as the one before it.

Holiday Turkey Salad with Pecans & Cranberries

Easy & Creamy!

Yields: 4-6 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Salad:

    • 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced

    • ½ cup dried cranberries

    • ½ cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped

    • ½ cup finely diced celery

    • ¼ cup finely diced red onion

  • For the Dressing:

    • ½ cup mayonnaise

    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

    • ½ teaspoon salt

    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the Salad Ingredients

  1. Chop: If you haven't already, shred or dice the cooked turkey. Chop the celery, red onion, and toasted pecans.

  2. Combine: In a large bowl, combine the turkey, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, celery, and red onion.

2. Make the Dressing

  1. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice until smooth.

  2. Season the dressing with salt and black pepper.

3. Assemble and Serve

  1. Pour Dressing: Pour the dressing over the turkey and vegetable mixture.

  2. Toss: Use a large spoon to gently toss the salad until everything is evenly coated.

  3. Chill: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

  4. Serve the turkey salad on croissants, in a sandwich, with crackers, or in crisp lettuce cups.

Pro-Tips for a Perfect Salad

  • The Right Turkey: Use a combination of white and dark meat for the best flavor and texture. Make sure the turkey is well-chilled before you start.

  • Toast the Pecans: Don't skip this step! Toasting the pecans in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes brings out their nutty flavor and gives them a wonderful crunch.

  • Make It Creamy or Light: For a richer salad, use full-fat mayonnaise. For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt or a mix of both.

  • Customize It! Feel free to add other ingredients to the salad, such as chopped apples for a crisp, sweet element, or fresh herbs like parsley or chives for an even fresher flavor.

  • Make Ahead: You can prepare the salad and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will only get better over time.