Tasty Turkey Salad Sandwich

This hearty turkey salad sandwich has become my go-to recipe for transforming Thanksgiving leftovers into something even more delicious than the original meal. The combination of tender turkey chunks with creamy dressing, crunchy vegetables, and sweet grapes creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures that makes mundane leftovers feel like a gourmet treat.

I discovered this recipe during a particularly chaotic post Thanksgiving weekend when I was desperate to use up turkey before it spoiled. My family was so impressed they now request I make extra turkey just so we can enjoy these sandwiches for days afterward.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked turkey: Provides protein and that distinctive turkey flavor. Use both white and dark meat for the best flavor profile.
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise: Creates the creamy base for the salad. Opt for a high quality mayo or try avocado oil based varieties for a healthier option.
• ⅓ cup plain hummus: My secret ingredient that adds incredible creaminess and a subtle nutty flavor without overwhelming the turkey.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors in the mixture. You can adjust based on how seasoned your leftover turkey is.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a gentle heat and depth to the salad.
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard: Brings a tangy sharpness that cuts through the richness of the mayo and hummus.
• 1 ½ tablespoons finely chopped dill: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens the entire dish.
• ½ cup finely diced celery: Provides essential crunch and a subtle pepperiness.
• ¾ cup toasted pecans: Adds wonderful texture and a rich, buttery flavor that complements turkey beautifully.
• 1 cup grapes cut into bite sized pieces: Brings unexpected sweetness and juicy pops of flavor in every bite.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Dressing Base:

Combine mayonnaise, hummus, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl, stirring until smooth and well incorporated. This creates a creamy foundation with balanced flavors of tangy, savory, and slightly nutty notes. The hummus is crucial here as it adds protein and creaminess while cutting some of the heaviness of a pure mayo dressing.

Coat the Turkey:

Add the cooked, shredded turkey to the dressing mixture. Gently fold everything together until each piece of turkey is evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Take your time with this step to ensure the dressing reaches all the turkey pieces without mashing or overworking the meat, which can make it mushy.

Add the Mix Ins:

Incorporate the chopped dill, diced celery, toasted pecans, and cut grapes to the turkey mixture. Fold these ingredients in gently, using a lifting motion rather than stirring aggressively. This preserves the integrity of the grapes and keeps the celery crunchy. The combination of herbs, nuts, and fruits transforms this from basic turkey salad to something truly special.

Chill and Rest:

While you can serve immediately, allowing the turkey salad to chill for at least 2 hours lets the flavors meld together beautifully. The dill infuses the dressing, the pecans soften slightly, and everything becomes greater than the sum of its parts. This resting time makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor profile.

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The toasted pecans truly make this recipe special for me. The first time I made this, I almost skipped toasting them to save time, but those few extra minutes of toasting release the nuts' essential oils and create a depth of flavor that elevates the entire dish. My grandmother always insisted on toasting nuts for her famous chicken salad, and I now understand why.

Make Ahead Options

This turkey salad actually improves with a little time in the refrigerator. You can prepare it up to three days in advance, making it perfect for meal prep or holiday entertaining. The flavors meld together beautifully as it sits, though the pecans may lose some of their crunch over time. If making far in advance, consider adding the nuts just before serving for maximum texture contrast.

Storage Tips

Properly stored in an airtight container, turkey salad will keep fresh for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Remember this timeline starts from when the turkey was initially cooked, not when you make the salad. For best food safety, keep it well chilled at all times and never leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours. The salad does not freeze well due to the mayonnaise base, which will separate upon thawing.

Serving Suggestions

While classic sandwich bread makes a wonderful vehicle for this turkey salad, there are numerous ways to enjoy it beyond the basic sandwich. Try it stuffed in a pita pocket with extra greens, scooped onto butter lettuce leaves for a low carb option, or served with sturdy crackers or crostini for an elegant appetizer. For a colorful lunch plate, pair with fresh fruit and pickled vegetables to create a balanced meal with multiple textures and flavors.

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Transform holiday leftovers into a gourmet level turkey salad with hints of crunch, creaminess, and sweetness. Everyone will keep asking for seconds!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long does turkey salad keep in the refrigerator?

The turkey salad will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. This timeframe starts from when the turkey was cooked, not from when the salad was assembled.

→ Can I prepare any components ahead of time?

Yes! You can cook the turkey up to a day before using it in the salad. Alternatively, you can prepare the entire salad ahead of time and chill it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

→ What's the purpose of the hummus in this turkey salad?

Hummus acts as a secret ingredient that adds creaminess, flavor depth, and helps bind the salad together while reducing the amount of mayonnaise needed. It creates a more interesting flavor profile than traditional turkey salad.

→ What are some serving suggestions for turkey salad?

This versatile turkey salad can be served as a traditional sandwich between bread slices, wrapped in lettuce leaves for a low-carb option, or alongside crackers as an appetizer or light lunch.

→ Can I substitute any ingredients in the turkey salad?

Absolutely! You can use avocado oil-based mayonnaise for a healthier option. Other possible substitutions include walnuts instead of pecans, dried cranberries instead of grapes, or adding diced apple for extra crunch and sweetness.

→ Why should I chill the turkey salad before serving?

Chilling for at least 2 hours allows the flavors to meld together and develop more fully. This resting time creates a more cohesive and flavorful salad, though it can be served immediately if needed.