Leftover turkey salad that’s fresh, healthy and simple to make. The perfect light recipe for using up cooked turkey after the holidays.
If you’ve got leftover turkey after Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Boxing Day, and you're wondering what to do with it, this leftover turkey salad is the perfect quick lunch or light dinner to make in minutes!
It’s fresh tasting, creamy, crunchy, and packed with lean protein.
This turkey salad is just like my popular quick healthy chicken salad, except I've adapted it specifically for using up cooked turkey.
You'll find this quick and easy leftover turkey salad ideal for when you’re tired of all that heavy festive food and you just want something lighter, healthier, and fuss-free.
You'll definitely want to add this to your list of leftover turkey Christmas recipes!
Made with crisp apple, crunchy celery, spring onions, parsley, and shredded lettuce, this is a refreshing contrast to all the rich dishes of the season.
The dressing is light too. So if you're conscious about all those Christmas calories you may have put away, this salad can help a little with all that guilt!
Whether you’re looking for a simple turkey salad, something that tastes like a modern twist on an old fashioned turkey salad, or just a nutritious way to use up turkey meat, this recipe definitely ticks every box.
It’s creamy but light. Filling, but not heavy, and perfect served cold, in sandwiches, or wrapped up for an easy lunch or even as a packed lunch.
Check out my list below of other popular leftover turkey recipes to see all the different ways you can make sure nothing goes to waste!
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💭 Why You’ll Love This Leftover Turkey Salad
- Quick, healthy and filling: and ready in just 15 minutes.
- Perfect for Boxing Day onwards: this is delicious way to use up leftover Christmas or Thanksgiving Turkey.
- Light but satisfying: uses crisp veggies but is made with a light, creamy, reduced-fat dressing.
- Versatile: you can use this salad in many ways for example in sandwiches, wraps, baked potatoes, lettuce wraps, as a side, or just on its own.
- Great for meal-prep: great for easy packed lunches
🥘 Ingredients
- Cooked Shredded Turkey
- Small Green Apple
- Spring Onions
- Celery Sticks
- Fresh Parsley
- Shredded Iceberg Lettuce
- Reduced-Fat Mayonnaise
- Dijon Mustard
- White Wine Vinegar
- Freshly Ground Salt and Black Pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 How To Make Leftover Turkey Salad
Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below. But here is a quick step by step guide of how to make this easy leftover turkey salad:
Step 1
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked turkey with the apple, and vegetables.
Step 2
- In a small Pyrex bowl whisk together the dressing ingredients. Season to taste with the salt and pepper.
Step 3
- Combine the dressing with the turkey mixture until evenly coated.
Step 4
- Serve cold on it's own or in sandwiches or wraps.
🍽 Equipment
For This Turkey Salad You May Need....
The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.
This means that if you click on it and then buy that product, I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).
If you do click through, then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!
I use this glass bowl from Pyrex.
As you can see it's relatively inexpensive.
It's oven safe and scratch resistant too.
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💭 FAQ's
How Many Calories Are In Turkey Salad?
There are 182 calories per portion in this recipe.
Does It Matter If I Use Dark Or White Meat?
No. You can use any part of your turkey meat leftovers to make this salad.
Is This A Healthy Leftover Turkey Salad?
Yes it is because it’s made using lean turkey, fresh vegetables, and a reduced-fat mayonnaise dressing, keeping it light, nutritious, and protein-rich.
Can I Make This The Day After Christmas Or Thanksgiving?
Absolutely, the recipe is specifically for using up leftover turkey from Christmas, Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving, or Boxing Day.
How Long Does Leftover Turkey Last?
Store your cooked turkey salad in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I Freeze Leftover Turkey Salad?
No you cannot freeze leftover turkey salad. However, you can freeze the leftover turkey meat to make the salad in the future. Just make sure the meat has thoroughly defrosted before using.
Can I Make This Ahead?
Yes you can prepare it in the morning and chill until needed that day or even the next day. The flavours will marinate even more over a few hours. Just make sure to stir it properly before serving to re-distribute the dressing.
What Makes This An “Old Fashioned Turkey Salad” Style Recipe?
It's the classic combination of turkey, celery, spring onion, and a simple home-made mayo-based dressing gives it that nostalgic, traditional flavour—without being heavy.
🍗 More Delicious Leftover Turkey Recipes To Try
📋 Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe
The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.
This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).
If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 300 g cooked shredded turkey
- 1 small green apple diced
- 3 spring onions chopped
- 2 celery sticks finely diced
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 50 g shredded iceberg lettuce
- 8 tablespoon reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- Freshly ground salt and black pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked turkey, apple, spring onions, celery, parsley, and iceberg lettuce.
- In a small Pyrex bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar until smooth. Season to taste with the salt and pepper.
- Combine the dressing with the turkey mixture until evenly coated.
- Serve cold or in sandwiches or wraps.
Nutrition
🧾 Nutrition Label
Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.
⭐ Rate The Recipe
If you’ve made this leftover turkey salad recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.
I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂
Shashi at Savory Spin
Such a tasty and easy recipe to use up leftover turkey. I love the apple in there!
Neil
Thank you so much, Shashi! I’m really glad you enjoyed it 😊 The apple adds such a lovely fresh crunch, doesn’t it? Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! Hope you have an amazing Christmas!
Raymund | angsarap.net
This looks like such a perfect post‑holiday reset, Neil! I love how fresh and light this salad is, especially with the apple and crunchy veggies in the mix. It’s exactly the kind of thing I crave after all the rich Christmas food.
Neil
Thanks so much, Raymund! I’m really pleased you like it 😊 That fresh crunch is exactly what I was going for after all the rich Christmas food. Appreciate you taking the time to comment!
Charlie DeSando
Neil, nicely done, looks great
Neil
Hey Charlie, thank you, appreciate that.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Looks delicious, Neil - such a fresh and vibrant dish and an excellent way to utilize leftover turkey. Light, satisfying, and perfect for post-holiday meals.