Turkey Salad

4.7
(184)

This turkey salad recipe makes a great spread for crackers or sandwiches. This delicious appetizer will have your whole party jumping! It's great during the holidays or anytime.

closeup of finely chopped Turkey Salad on a Ritz cracker
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
8 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
24
Yield:
3 cups

Use your Thanksgiving leftovers to make this top-rated turkey salad recipe. It’s the perfect post-holiday lunch! 

Turkey Salad Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make 

  • Turkey: This simple recipe starts with cooked turkey meat.  
  • Vegetables: You’ll need celery, green onions, and a red bell pepper. 
  • Mayo and mustard: Mayonnaise and prepared Dijon-style mustard add creaminess and flavor. 
  • Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar lends a touch of welcome acidity. 
  • Sugar: A teaspoon of white sugar adds a hint of sweetness. 
  • Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the turkey salad. 

How to Make Turkey Salad

You’ll find the full, step-by-step instructions below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade turkey salad: 

  1. Pulse the turkey and vegetables in a food processor until finely chopped. 
  2. Transfer to a bowl, then mix in the remaining ingredients.
  3. Cover and chill in the fridge for eight hours to allow the flavors to meld. 

Can You Make Turkey Salad Ahead of Time? 

Yes! In fact, since the turkey salad needs time for the flavors to meld, it actually makes sense to throw it together the day before you plan to serve it. 

How to Store Turkey Salad

Store the turkey salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stored properly, it should last for three to five days. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“I chopped the turkey and served the chunky salad on iceberg lettuce leaves,” according to Jackie Sauber Yambert. “I did not use the blender or food processor. The flavors blended well and was a great way to use the last of the Thanksgiving turkey!”

“Recipe was great,” raves Jwoods. “I didn't have red pepper, but I love green pepper so I added it instead. For the festive color I added 1/4 of a cup of cranberries and sunflower seeds for an extra nutty crunch.”

“This may be my favorite way to use leftover turkey,” says Danell Linnebur “I used regular mustard as I didn't have any Dijon. Good for sandwiches and on crackers.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 24 servings

  • ¾ pound cooked turkey meat

  • 2 stalks celery

  • 2 green onions

  • ½ red bell pepper

  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard

  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon white sugar

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Place cooked turkey meat, celery, green onions, and red bell pepper in a blender or food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.

  2. Transfer turkey mixture to a medium bowl. Mix in mayonnaise, prepared Dijon-style mustard, cider vinegar, white sugar, and salt until well combined. Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight, before serving.

314 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

40 Calories
2g Fat
1g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 40
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 78mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 6mg 0%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 60mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.