This easy Tropical Turkey Salad recipe calls for deli or leftover turkey, along with crunchy bell pepper, celery, and almonds all tossed in a creamy, zesty dressing. Your guests will never know this is a low-fat salad!
Tropical Turkey Salad Recipe
My family loves cool, creamy salads during the summer months when its too hot to eat much else.
We especially enjoy Prairie Rose Chicken Salad and Chicken Salad with Red Grapes and Walnuts since they are quick and easy to make using the meat from a rotisserie chicken.
Pasta salads are a summer favorite of ours, as well. I hope you’ll try Orzo Pasta Salad with Grilled Steak and BLT Pasta Salad – they are both super refreshing and simple to make.
WHAT TO LOVE ABOUT THIS EASY SALAD RECIPE
- This turkey salad is quick and easy to whip up.
- We love how refreshing this chilled salad is – it hits the spot!
- Switch the turkey for chicken if you need to – it works great.
WHAT INGREDIENTS DO YOU NEED TO MAKE TURKEY SALAD?
- Cooked turkey breast (either deli turkey or cooked turkey leftovers)
- Red bell pepper
- Celery
- Scallions
- Sliced almonds
- Mandarin oranges
- Sour cream
- Apricot jam
- Lemon juice
- Spices: curry powder, salt and pepper
TIPS FOR MAKING THIS SALAD THE BEST IT CAN BE
- This salad doesn’t keep for longer than 1-2 days so make it right before you are ready to serve.
- Crunchy fruits make a nice addition to this salad, such as chopped apples or pears.
- For variety, substitute chopped pecans or walnuts for the sliced APL minds.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING TROPICAL TURKEY SALAD
**PRINT THE FULL RECIPE FROM THE RECIPE CARD AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST
Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl until smooth; reserve.
In a large mixing bowl, place all of the salad ingredients except the mandarin oranges; toss with the prepared dressing, then gently fold in the mandarin oranges and sliced almonds. Serve at once.
ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT THIS RECIPE
WHICH TOOLS ARE HELPFUL FOR MAKING THIS SALAD?
Kitchen shears are slick for cutting up the green onions. I like kitchen shears that come completely apart so they are easier to wash and keep sanitary.
For cutting the lettuce and pickles, I always want my 8-inch chef’s knife in my hand and a large wooden cutting board.
Silicone Spatula Spoons – Of all the tools in my kitchen, silicone spatula spoons are what I use the most. They make stirring and sautéing a breeze and I love all the pretty silicone colors available. Silicone spatula spoons are completely heat-proof so they won’t melt, even when used over high temperatures. I like to have different sizes on hand for different kitchen tasks – soooo handy!
I like mixing bowls that nest inside of each other and have a silicone bottom so they are slip-resistant when I’m working in them. I also really appreciate what’s called “gorilla grip” handles that are on the side so they are each to hold in place when I’m mixing.
IS THIS A GOOD SALAD FOR USING UP LEFTOVER TURKEY?
Yes, if you have leftover turkey following a holiday meal or just want to cook up a turkey breast (I do this year round!) for having the meat on hand, you can totally use it for making this salad. It’s super economical.
HOW LONG IS TURKEY SALAD GOOD FOR?
This salad will keep 1-2 days in the fridge but I bet it’s gone after the first meal. This is such a good salad.
IS THIS TURKEY SALAD GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
This salad is low in both fat and calories, yet very flavorful. The vegetables give this salad really good texture since it’s so crunchy – very satisfying, too.
CAN YOU FREEZE LEFTOVER TURKEY SALAD?
No. Due to the fresh vegetables in this salad, it does not freeze well. Freezing it makes the texture soggy – never good! Make this salad and enjoy it when you can eat it freshly made.
CAN I SUBSTITUTE COOKED CHICKEN FOR TURKEY IN THIS RECIPE?
Yes. Fully cooked chopped or shredded chicken of any kind works well in this salad. I especially like using the meat from a rotisserie chicken for making this easy salad.
MORE FAVORITE SALAD RECIPES TO ENJOY
- SPINACH SALAD WITH POPPY SEED DRESSING
- CORN SALAD WITH FRESH BASIL
- EYE OF ROUND CAESAR SALAD
- WARM GERMAN POTATO SALAD
PRINTABLE TROPICAL TURKEY SALAD RECIPE
Tropical Turkey Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 Tbs. apricot jam
- 1 Tbs. lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp. curry powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad
- 3 cups chopped cooked turkey breast
- 1 red bell pepper seeds and membranes removed, diced
- 4 ribs celery diced
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 15 oz. can mandarin oranges well drained
Instructions
- Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl until smooth; reserve.
- In a large mixing bowl, place all of the salad ingredients except the mandarin oranges; toss with the prepared dressing, then gently fold in the mandarin oranges and sliced almonds. Serve at once.
Nutrition
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