I have one more recipe to squeeze in before Thanksgiving that I am beyond excited to share. My Cranberry Pecan Turkey Salad is the only recipe you need for leftover turkey. It has everything you’ll need after the big day, including turkey, cranberries, pecans, onions, celery, jalapeño, and more. It has a touch of sweetness, just enough spice, lots of textures and is bursting with flavor.
The inspiration for Cranberry Pecan Turkey Salad came from a recent trip to Texas. My friend and I stopped at a flower seed farm and had lunch at their café. We both ordered their cranberry pecan chicken salad and it was pretty good. But while we were eating, she asked, “Can you make this better?” To which I answered, “Challenge accepted!” This is the sandwich that inspired me.
I believe I’ve won! Ha! This sandwich filling probably contained chicken, celery, poppy seeds, cranberries, pecans, and Miracle Whip (ewwww). That’s it! I knew I had to use real mayonnaise and add some additional flavorings, like lemon juice, Dijon, and jalapeño.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. But what do you do with all the leftovers? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This Cranberry Pecan Turkey Salad is the perfect way to use up your leftover turkey and create a new and exciting dish.
This salad is packed with flavor, thanks to the combination of sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a touch of spice from the jalapeno. It’s also incredibly easy to make, so you can whip it up in no time
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1/4 cup onion or chives, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 4 cups turkey or chicken, cooked and diced (or shredded)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon, lemon juice, poppy seeds, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve on your favorite sliced bread or croissants.
Tips:
- For a spicier salad, add more jalapeno or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can use 1 tablespoon of dried parsley.
- This salad is also delicious served on a bed of lettuce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Additional Resources:
- For more Thanksgiving leftover recipes, check out our website.
- We also have a great selection of turkey and chicken recipes that you can use to make this salad.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use leftover chicken instead of turkey?
Yes, you can definitely use leftover chicken instead of turkey. Just make sure that the chicken is cooked and diced or shredded.
- Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just be sure to stir it before serving.
- What kind of bread should I serve this salad on?
This salad is delicious served on any type of bread you like. We recommend using a hearty bread, such as sourdough or rye.
This Cranberry Pecan Turkey Salad is a delicious and easy way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. It’s packed with flavor and can be served on a variety of breads or lettuce. So give it a try and see for yourself!
More Recipes for Leftover Turkey
Here are some more recipes that would be fantastic with leftover turkey: simply replace the chicken in these recipes with leftover turkey.
How to Make Cranberry Pecan Turkey Salad
I didn’t make many process pictures but this is a very simple recipe. First, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon, lemon juice, salt, pepper, poppy seeds and parsley. Then just stir in celery, onion, jalapeno, cranberries, and pecans.
Next, add in your leftover turkey or chicken. Yes chicken! This is a versatile salad that can be used with chicken or turkey. Fold in then taste and add more salt if desired.
Finally, add to your favorite bread for the tastiest sandwich ever. We used mini croissants and they were the perfect vessel for this delicious Cranberry Pecan Turkey Salad.
Sponsored post for Lee’s Marketplace. Ingredients on sale November 17-30: turkey, mayonnaise, celery