Cranberry Pecan Turkey Salad: The Perfect Thanksgiving Side Dish

Cranberry Pecan Turkey Salad: A Delicious and Festive Thanksgiving Dish

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and good food. And what better way to celebrate than with a delicious and festive cranberry pecan turkey salad? This salad is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy, and it’s sure to be a hit with everyone at your table.

To make this salad, you’ll need:

* 1 cup of cooked turkey breast, shredded
* 1 cup of chopped cranberries
* 1/2 cup of chopped pecans
* 1/2 cup of celery, thinly sliced
* 1/2 cup of red onion, diced
* 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup of sour cream
* 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
* 1 teaspoon of honey
* Salt and pepper to taste

To make the dressing, simply whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Then, add the dressing to the salad and toss to coat.

Serve the salad immediately or chill for later. Enjoy!

Ingredient	Quantity	Instructions
Cranberries	1 cup	Rinse and dry cranberries.
Pecans	1/2 cup	Chop pecans.
Turkey breast, cooked and shredded	2 cups	Shred turkey breast.
Red onion	1/2 cup, diced	Dice red onion.
Chopped celery	1/2 cup	Chop celery.
Mayo	1 cup	Mix mayo with honey and dijon mustard.
Honey	1 tablespoon	Mix mayo with honey and dijon mustard.
Dijon mustard	1 teaspoon	Mix mayo with honey and dijon mustard.
Salt and pepper to taste	To taste	Add salt and pepper to taste.
Assembly	In a large bowl, combine cranberries, pecans, turkey, red onion, celery, and dressing.	Serve immediately or chill for later.

Ingredients

For the cranberry pecan turkey salad:

* 3 cups (12 ounces) cooked turkey breast, shredded
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
* 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
* 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh thyme
* 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
* 1/4 cup dried cranberries
* 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the salad dressing:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup sour cream
* 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps

To make the cranberry pecan turkey salad:

1. In a large bowl, combine the turkey breast, butter, brown sugar, vinegar, parsley, thyme, pecans, cranberries, and blue cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. To make the salad dressing, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, honey, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Serve the cranberry pecan turkey salad on a bed of greens, drizzled with the salad dressing.

Conclusion

This cranberry pecan turkey salad is a delicious and hearty main dish or side dish. It’s perfect for a holiday meal or potluck. Enjoy!

Ingredients

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 1 cup dried cranberries
* 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
* 1/2 cup chopped celery
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
* 1/4 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup sour cream
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the pecans and cranberries.
4. Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Let cool completely on the baking sheets.
5. To make the salad, in a large bowl, combine the turkey, cranberries, onion, celery, parsley, and blue cheese. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
6. Serve immediately or chill for later.

Tips

* For a more festive look, use different colored cranberries in the salad.
* If you don’t have any fresh cranberries on hand, you can use 1 cup of frozen cranberries, thawed and drained.
* Feel free to add your favorite salad toppings to this recipe, such as chopped nuts, dried fruit, or seeds.
* For a gluten-free version of this salad, use gluten-free flour in the cookie dough.
* To make the salad ahead of time, prepare the dressing and toss it with the salad ingredients just before serving.

Variations

* For a different flavor, try using a different type of cheese in the salad, such as goat cheese, feta cheese, or Parmesan cheese.
* You can also add different types of nuts to the salad, such as almonds, walnuts, or pistachios.
* If you don’t like blue cheese, you can omit it from the salad or substitute it with another type of cheese, such as cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese.
* For a heartier salad, add some grilled chicken or salmon to the mix.
* To make a vegetarian salad, omit the turkey and use a plant-based protein, such as tofu or tempeh.

Q: What are the ingredients for cranberry pecan turkey salad?

* 1/2 cup chopped fresh cranberries
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans
* 1/4 cup dried cranberries
* 1/4 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup sour cream
* 1/4 cup chopped red onion
* 1/4 cup chopped celery
* 1/4 cup chopped carrot
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1 pound cooked turkey breast, shredded

Q: How do I make cranberry pecan turkey salad?

1. In a large bowl, combine the cranberries, pecans, dried cranberries, mayonnaise, sour cream, red onion, celery, carrot, and parsley.
2. Add the shredded turkey breast and toss to coat.
3. Serve immediately or chill for later.

Q: What are some variations on the classic cranberry pecan turkey salad recipe?

* Add chopped apples, grapes, or walnuts for a different flavor.
* Use a different type of dressing, such as balsamic vinaigrette or ranch dressing.
* Top the salad with crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese for a creamy, tangy flavor.
* Serve the salad on a bed of greens for a more substantial meal.

Q: How can I make this salad ahead of time?

The salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just be sure to add the turkey breast just before serving so that it doesn’t get soggy.

Q: What are some tips for serving cranberry pecan turkey salad?

* Serve the salad on a platter or individual plates.
* Garnish the salad with fresh herbs, such as mint or basil.
* Serve the salad with crackers, bread, or pita chips.
* Make a batch of cranberry pecan turkey salad for your next potluck or holiday party. It’s sure to be a hit!

cranberry pecan turkey salad is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a holiday meal or any other occasion. It is packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins, and it is also very easy to make. If you are looking for a healthy and flavorful salad, be sure to give this recipe a try.