A Taste of Thanksgiving Any Day: Recreating HEB’s Delicious Turkey Cranberry Salad

Grocery store prepared foods can be a quick and tasty time-saver for busy weeknights HEB’s turkey cranberry salad is one of my go-to grabs from the deli section when I need a ready-made meal. Its combination of tender turkey, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans and creamy dressing really hits the spot. With the holiday season coming up, this salad makes me think of Thanksgiving flavors I can enjoy all year round

Since this salad has become a pantry staple for me, I decided to try making a homemade version to enjoy anytime. While HEB keeps their exact recipe under wraps, I think I’ve cracked the code on replicating this delicious salad at home. Follow along as I share my tips for making turkey cranberry salad just like the pros at HEB.

Gathering The Salad Ingredients

To match the flavors in HEB’s version, you’ll need

• Diced cooked turkey breast – pick up some pre-cooked turkey from the deli section for easy weeknight convenience. Rotisserie turkey also works great here.
• Dried cranberries – I prefer using dried cranberries over fresh to get that intensely tart flavor
• Chopped pecans – toasted pecans add crunch and nutty flavor.
• Shredded carrots – matchstick cut carrots add some natural sweetness.
• Diced celery – for added texture and freshness.
• Green onions – chopped green onions boost the flavor.
• Fresh parsley – parsley gives the salad some color and herbaceous flavor.

Making the Tasty Salad Dressing

The dressing is what brings this salad together. To recreate the HEB dressing:

• Mayonnaise – I use a combination of regular and light mayo for creaminess without too much fat.
• Plain yogurt – Greek yogurt also works well to add tang.
• Honey – a touch of honey balances out the tart flavors.
• Lemon juice – fresh lemon juice provides bright acidity.
• Dijon mustard – mustard adds savory flavor and binds the dressing.
• Garlic powder – just a bit of garlic powder enhances the other flavors.
• Salt and pepper – season to taste.

Assembling the Salad

Now just toss it all together:

• In a large bowl, mix up the dressing ingredients until smooth.
• Add in the cooked turkey, dried cranberries, carrots, pecans, celery, green onions and parsley.
• Gently toss everything together until evenly coated in the dressing.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your homemade turkey cranberry salad:

• Scooped on top of salad greens for an entree salad.
• Stuffed in a pita or wrap for an easy on-the-go meal.
• On top of toasted whole grain bread or crackers for an appetizer.
• Alongside roasted vegetables for a holiday-inspired meal.
• Topped with crushed potato chips for fun texture and crunch.
• On a lettuce leaf wrap in place of taco meat for Taco Tuesday.

Storage and Leftovers

Turkey cranberry salad stores well for grab-and-go convenience:

• Keep fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Portion into individual containers to pack in lunches.
• The flavors marry even more over time so it tastes better day after day.
• Can be frozen for longer term storage. Thaw in the fridge before serving.