Turn yesterday’s turkey into today’s star-studded feast with this quick and easy recipe for The Best Leftover Turkey Salad loaded with fresh veggies and herbs.
If you’re reading this post, chances are you’re staring down a mountain of leftover turkey (or perhaps even chicken!). And whether it’s the result of your Thanksgiving feast, or just the remnants from an ordinary dinner, the bottom line here is you’ve got leftover turkey and you need to put that poultry to work.
Have I ever got you covered! Grab your knife and get ready for The Best Leftover Turkey Salad to ever cross your lips.
When I was a culinary intern at Food Network, it was my job to prepare the staff meal each day, and one of my favorite ways to make the most of all of the insanely delicious leftover odds and ends from Food Network Kitchens was to make any variety of chicken or turkey salad. So let’s just say that over the course of several months, I got my turkey salad recipe nailed down.
What separates this from all other leftover turkey salad recipes? Two simple tricks and tips:
- The Mayo to Mustard Ratio: I’m a mayo enthusiast, but when it comes to chicken or turkey salad, I like to go light. Too much mayo can yield a very thick and heavy salad, while just the right balance of mayo and Dijon mustard produces a medley of flavors that don’t overpower the refreshing crispness of the veggies and herbs.
- My Not-So-Secret Ingredient: Are you ready for this one? We all know I’m a big fan of secret ingredients in my chocolate chip cookies, smoothies and mashed potatoes, and this time, I’m upping the flavor profile with … sugar! It sounds strange in a savory turkey salad, but one taste and I guarantee you’ll never go without it.
So grab that surplus poultry and get your preferred carb (or crisp lettuce leaf) of choice ready for The Best Leftover Turkey Salad piled high with lettuce and tomato to complete your Turkey-on-Day-2 feast. (And don’t forget to check out the endless other ways of putting those leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pie dough scraps to work!)
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Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped leftover turkey
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (See Kelly's Notes)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 cup finely diced celery
- 1/4 cup sliced scallions
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped turkey, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, sugar, celery, scallions and dill, stirring until well combined.
- Taste and season the turkey salad with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.
Kelly's Notes:
- I prefer less mayo in my turkey salad, but you can easily add more based on your taste preferences. For an extra-creamy turkey salad, increase the mayo to 2/3 cup.
- I always think turkey salad tastes best after refrigerating, so this leftovers-inspired recipe tastes just as great on day 2 and onward!
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
Easy to make and so delicious
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Darrin!
Unbelievably good! Thank you so much for this recipe. I put the turkey in my food processor which yielded a restaurant-worthy result!
You are so welcome, Zoe! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe!
I made the turkey salad, but didn’t have some of the stuff. It turned out good
I’m glad you enjoyed it anyway, Renita!
Great recipe! I love the proportions of the ingredients – perfect amounts of tang, creaminess, and crunch. I was out of lemons and dill, so I used some pickle juice from the dill pickle jar, I think it worked in a pinch. It’s delicious! Thank you for this recipe.
You are so welcome, Rochelle! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe!
I used this recipe for the first time last month and my family and I truly enjoyed!!! I used apples instead of sugar. Thank you so much for sharing!
Sincerely,
Cindy
You are so welcome, Cindy! I’m thrilled your family enjoyed the recipe!
Perfect hit! Was alittle worried, not a fan of Dijon mustard, but followed the recipe and it was soo good. Thanks!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Jerbear!
I add apples instead of sugar… red onions and did half miracle whip and half hellmans mayo…
I used this recipe after Thanksgiving this year…was soo good…i bought a boars has turkey breast and remade it… after adding the apples… can’t be without
I add apples instead of sugar… red onions and did half miracle whip and half hellmans mayo…
YUM! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Minny!
Glad I came across your Recipes….Looking forward to ordering your cook book !!
Thanks so much for your support, Gerald! Welcome to Just a Taste!
Have made this recipe several times, equally great with either turkey or chicken. I follow the recipe exactly as written (except sometimes I use chicken), It is absolutely the best!!
Yessss! I’m so thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe, Maureen!
Beautiful
Thank you for a great recipe and instructions. I had not thought to use dill before so this was a welcome variation! Delicious. I might add some whole cranberries next time…
You are so welcome, Elissa! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
I made a grilled cheese sandwich with this recipe. Might be the best sandwich I ever ate!
OH.EM.GEE. That sounds amazing, Linda! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
This recipe is so good! I just made a second batch because my family loved it! I usually go overboard on the Mayo but now I know I prefer a lighter salad. Thank you!
You are so welcome, Kandice! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe!
I made this recipe last year and came searching for it again this year. In fact, I was requested to cook a larger turkey so we would have more leftovers for this recipe this year. :)
Love, love, LOVE reading this, Amber! I’m thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe :)
Wonderful, wonderful.
I made this yesterday with leftover turkey and it was fantastic! If you love chicken salad, you will love this..:) I made it for a church meeting and put it on croissants and it was wonderful..:)
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Kristy!
Delicious and so flavorful! Will definitely save this recipe to make again!
So glad you enjoyed it, Terri!
Just made it for the first time. Everyone loved it!
I’m so happy to read this, Gary!
Excellent!!! Love it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Tomalita!
Excellent recipe. Best turkey salad I’ve ever made.
Woohoo! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Brad!
Amazing! And I used 2 cans of turkey instead cos that’s what I have. Eating it on salad
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Asher!
Thanks for a tasty , easy recipe!
You are so welcome, Elizabeth! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!