Turkey Salad with Cranberries: A Festive and Nutritious Post-Thanksgiving Treat

The Thanksgiving holiday is synonymous with turkey. After the big meal is over many cooks find themselves with bountiful leftovers of this iconic centrepiece bird. Turkey salad is a delicious and creative way to repurpose those leftovers into easy protein-packed lunches and snacks. One classic recipe that plays up Thanksgiving flavors is a turkey salad with cranberries and walnuts. With its festive red, green, and orange colors studded throughout, it makes for a nutritious and celebratory dish any time of year.

The Significance of Turkey on the Thanksgiving Table

To appreciate this salad it is important to understand the cultural significance of turkey on the Thanksgiving table. While wild turkeys are native to North America the domesticated broad-breasted turkeys we eat today descend from an imported Mexican subspecies. By the mid-1800s turkey was established as the preferred Thanksgiving protein.

Turkey represents togetherness, abundance, and celebration. It is often the centerpiece of the holiday meal, evoking tradition and community. So leftover turkey after Thanksgiving is a special treat to be savored in creative ways like salads, sandwiches, casseroles and soups.

Nutrition Facts: Turkey as a Lean Protein

One reason leftover turkey makes for such a nutritious salad ingredient is its stellar nutrition profile. Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein, providing around 25 grams per 3 ounce serving. It contains all nine essential amino acids our bodies need but cannot produce on their own. Turkey and other lean meats support muscle growth and maintenance.

Turkey is also rich in nutrients like niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, choline, selenium and zinc. It contains the sleep-supporting amino acid tryptophan. So leftovers allow us to continue reaping the nutritional benefits of this powerhouse poultry.

The Appeal of Mixing Turkey with Fruits and Nuts

Turkey may seem like a savory protein but it pairs beautifully with fruits and nuts in a salad. The contrast of flavor profiles and textures makes for a delicious balance. Sweet-tart dried cranberries, crunchy toasted walnuts, and tender pieces of turkey come together seamlessly.

Dried cranberries provide fiber, vitamin C, and disease-fighting antioxidants. Their tartness balances the turkey’s savory richness. Toasted walnuts add satisfying crunch along with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, magnesium, and more. Celery contributes further crunchy freshness and moisture.

A Simple, Satisfying Meat Salad Recipe

This salad comes together quickly by simply tossing diced leftover turkey with mayonnaise, chopped fruits, nuts, and veggies. The recipe requires no cooking besides toasting the walnuts. And it lasts up to 5 days refrigerated, making it perfect for grab-and-go lunches and snacks.

The ingredients list is simple:

• 2 cups chopped leftover turkey
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 1 rib celery, diced
• 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything together, season with salt and pepper, and enjoy on bread, crackers, or greens for a satisfying mini-meal.

Adapting the Recipe with Other Ingredients

While this classic recipe highlights traditional Thanksgiving flavors, it’s endlessly adaptable to work with different ingredients. Consider these easy substitutions:

• Chicken or ham for turkey
• Diced apple, grape, or dried cherries instead of cranberries
• Pecans or almonds rather than walnuts
• Green onions, dill, or chives instead of parsley

The mayonnaise binds everything together into a creamy salad, but yogurt or sour cream work too. Season with different herbs and spices like sage, rosemary, curry powder, or citrus zest. Make this recipe your own by tailoring it to your tastes and ingredients on hand.

A Versatile Salad for Any Occasion

While this salad screams Thanksgiving, its bold flavors and colors make it festive any time of year. Pack it for weekday lunches, serve it at brunches and barbecues, or make it for a light dinner. For added nutrition, serve on a bed of leafy greens.

Thanks to pantry-staple ingredients that keep for weeks, everything can be on hand even without leftover turkey. This salad travels well in school or work lunches. And it requires minimal prep, making it doable even on busy weeknights.

Celebrate Leftover Turkey in a Nutritious Salad

Don’t resign leftover Thanksgiving turkey to boring sandwiches day after day. With just a few supporting ingredients, it can become a nutritious and satisfying salad that creatively repurposes holiday foods. Tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and fresh herbs give new life to your leftover bird. Make this protein-packed salad next time you have extra turkey to use up. It will become a favorite way to celebrate the flavors of the season year-round.

Key Takeaways

• Turkey salad creatively repurposes Thanksgiving leftovers into portable meals.

• Turkey provides lean protein, B vitamins, zinc, selenium and other nutrients.

• Dried cranberries, walnuts, and celery add contrasting flavors and textures.

• The simple recipe comes together fast with minimal prep or cooking.

• Substitute other fruits, nuts, greens and proteins to customize the salad.

• Enjoy this nutritious salad anytime, not just for leftovers.

With just a bowl, a few ingredients, and some leftover turkey, you can quickly assemble a satisfying and healthy salad. So put those remnants of your holiday centerpiece to creative use in this make-ahead meal perfect for lunches, snacks, and dinners. Gobble up those leftovers!