Dinner

The Ultimate Turkey Salad Recipe

BySana Jeannette April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Introduction

This Ultimate Turkey Salad is a flavorful and healthy way to use leftover turkey or chicken. Packed with sweet cranberries, crisp apples, and crunchy pecans, it’s a perfect blend of textures and tastes that can be enjoyed in sandwiches, wraps, or on a bed of lettuce.

The image shows a close-up of a double-layer sandwich made with three slices of oat-covered whole grain bread. The bottom and middle layers each have fresh green leafy lettuce as the base, topped with a creamy filling that looks like chicken salad mixed with pieces of red apple, celery, dried cranberries, and nuts. The sandwich is held together on top by a bamboo pick. The sandwich sits on a crumpled parchment paper surface with some of the filling pieces scattered around, and a white bowl with more chicken salad is blurred in the background on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups diced, cooked turkey (or chicken, see note)
1 cup dried cranberries

3/4 cup diced apple (preferably a crisp, sweet-tart apple such as Honeycrisp)
1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1/4 cup healthier mayonnaise (such as an olive-oil-based, reduced-fat mayo or other healthier mayo of choice)
1/4 cup nonfat milk
1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon honey

1/4 teaspoon smooth Dijon mustard
Optional for serving: lettuce and whole grain wraps or bread for making sandwiches; or lettuce leaves as a gluten free wrap or as a base for a salad plate

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine turkey (or chicken), cranberries, apples, celery, and pecans, stirring gently to combine.

Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, milk, cider vinegar, salt, thyme, honey, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the turkey mixture and gently stir to combine evenly.
Step 4: Serve as desired – in sandwiches, wraps, or on a bed of lettuce for a gluten-free option.

Tips & Variations

For a crunchier texture, toast the pecans lightly before adding.
Substitute chicken for turkey if preferred or if turkey is not available.
Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill for extra freshness.

Use fat-free or full-fat Greek yogurt to adjust creaminess and calorie content.

Storage

Store the turkey salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. It’s best enjoyed chilled and can be served cold or at room temperature. Avoid freezing, as the texture of the yogurt-based dressing may change.

How to Serve

A close-up of a white bowl filled with a chicken salad showing three main layers: the bottom layer has small chunks of white chicken meat, the middle layer contains diced red apples and green celery pieces, and the top layer has dark dried cranberries and small brown nut pieces, all mixed with a creamy white dressing that coats every ingredient. There is a small green sprig of thyme on top, and a silver spoon rests inside the bowl. In the blurred background, slices of bread stacked on a white plate and fresh green leafy vegetables are visible on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this turkey salad ahead of time?

Yes, this salad can be made up to a day in advance and refrigerated. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, but be sure to gently stir before serving.