Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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After the holiday, transform your leftover Thanksgiving turkey into this Leftover Turkey Salad made with the yummy fall flavors of fresh apple and pecans.

This recipe is very similar to a traditionalWaldorf Salad but is a complete meal!

Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

In a little over a week from now, you’re gonna have leftover turkey. Its almost a given. When I host any meal, I always produce more than enough food for everyone. I would rather have leftovers than run out of food while my table is full of a bunch of hungry people. Thanksgiving leftovers are usually my favorite! Not only do I like to recreate that wonderful Thanksgiving meal over and over again, but I love to make other delicious meals like turkey and wild rice soup as well as this turkey salad.

Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

I added a few ingredients that are perfect for a fall recipe including fresh apple and pecans. You can definitely moisten everything up with mayo, but I prefer to use greek yogurt (or even a combo of yogurt and mayo) because its healthier but also gives it a nice zip. The apple with the celery give the turkey salad a fantastic crunch. You can totally enjoy this stuff in a sandwich but I prefer to have it with crackers for a perfect little lunch. Enjoy!

Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (3)

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After the holiday, transform your leftover Thanksgiving turkey into this Leftover Turkey Salad made with the yummy fall flavors of fresh apple and pecans.

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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cooked turkey chopped
  • 3 green onions with the whites and start of the greens sliced
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 2 sprigs parsley stems removed, diced
  • 1 small apple chopped (skin on, honey crisp recommended)
  • 1/4 cup raw pecans
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme if using dried, reduce amount by half
  • 1 cup greek yogurt or mayonnaise or a combination of both

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients except the yogurt/mayonnaise in large bowl and stir to combine.

  • Add yogurt and/or mayonnaise and mix well.

  • Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 74mg, Sodium: 147mg, Potassium: 418mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 285IU, Vitamin C: 5.2mg, Calcium: 83mg, Iron: 1.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (5)

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19 Comments

  1. Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (10)
    My turkey salad contains chopped toasted walnuts, sliced green grapes, diced celery and leaves (lots), minced shallots, lemon zest and juice, Kewpie mayonnaise, sumac and za’atar. I fill lettuce leaves and roll them up so bread is unnecessary, although it’s terrific on a seedy rye or whole wheat bread, too. Sometimes I change the spices around by using dried tarragon and celery seeds, in which case I use dried cranberries instead of grapes and orange zest and juice instead of lemon.

    Reply

  2. Super idea with the left over turkey! I also add pecans and dried cranberries. It just gives the salad a little sweet zing.

    Reply

  3. Are there pecans in this? I see them in the picture and in the description but not in the list of ingredients.

    Reply

    1. Doh! You are right. I added them to the ingredient list. So sorry about that! The nuts could be considered optional, but I definitely like the crunch.

      Reply

  4. Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (11)
    I thought this was a great and easy recipe. One thing my wife and I didn’t care for was the thyme. Next time I make this we are leaving the thyme out. I also added some white and red grapes cut in half and about a tablespoon of celery seed. We will make this again.

    Reply

  5. What constitutes a serving size?

    Reply

    1. A little over a cup of turkey salad

      Reply

  6. Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (12)
    This looks like a perfect way to use leftover turkey! I love that it has apples, I bet they add a yummy sweetness and crunch.

    Reply

Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

Which of the following is the most popular way to serve leftover turkey? ›

Turkey Sandwiches

One of the most classic and beloved ways to enjoy leftover turkey is by making a delicious sandwich. Whether you prefer a simple turkey and mayo combo or a more elaborate creation with cranberry sauce and stuffing, the options are endless.

How long is leftover turkey good for in the refrigerator? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

What is turkey salad made of? ›

Place cooked turkey meat, celery, green onions, and red bell pepper in a blender or food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Transfer turkey mixture to a medium bowl. Mix in mayonnaise, prepared Dijon-style mustard, cider vinegar, white sugar, and salt until well combined.

How many days after Thanksgiving can you eat leftovers? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

What are 4 commonly consumed foods at Thanksgiving other than turkey? ›

The typical white American family eats white bread rolls with butter, mashed potatoes, roast beef or baked chicken, and peas for dinner, with milk on the side.

How do you reheat leftover turkey and keep it moist? ›

Place the turkey pieces in a baking dish and drizzle with a few tablespoons of stock and/or butter. Cover the dish with foil and heat in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave the sliced turkey (cover with a damp paper towel) in a microwave-safe dish at 50% power in 1-minute intervals.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Is it safe to eat leftover turkey after 6 days? ›

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for three to four days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Turkey typically lasts up to four days in the fridge before it goes bad.

Is it OK to eat turkey that's been in the fridge for 2 weeks? ›

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Why put mayo on turkey? ›

It may sound unusual, but when you cover your turkey with mayonnaise, it bastes it during the roasting process, keeping the meat moist and tender.

Why put celery in turkey? ›

Onion, celery and carrot: These chopped vegetables are placed inside the cavity. These help to add flavor and also keep the turkey moist as they steam. Other vegetables you can use are squashes or peppers.

Why do people put celery in turkey? ›

Classic Aromatics

Add halved onions, carrot chunks, celery and fresh herbs to the cavity of your turkey, inserting them loosely. These flavor builders are the base of stock and most soups. As your turkey cooks, they'll steam and infuse your bird with moisture and flavor.

Is it OK to eat 3 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

When should you throw out leftover turkey? ›

As a general guideline, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends eating or freezing turkey and other leftovers within three to four days. For Thanksgiving, that means you should eat or freeze by Monday.

Can you eat leftover turkey after 5 days? ›

As a general guideline, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends eating or freezing turkey and other leftovers within three to four days. For Thanksgiving, that means you should eat or freeze by Monday.

What is the best way to store leftover turkey? ›

Divide leftovers into smaller portions and refrigerate or freeze them in covered shallow containers so they cool quickly. A large container or whole turkey will take too long to cool down to a safe temperature, which gives bacteria a chance to multiply.

How do you serve reheated turkey? ›

If you've already carved the meat, cover it with foil to trap the heat and moisture; just keep in mind that the skin will start to soften. When ready to serve, you can douse the carved meat with a little warm chicken broth or turkey stock to make it taste like it was freshly carved.

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