How to Make Delicious Turkey Salad Sandwiches

Say goodbye to boring leftovers with this easy and delicious leftover turkey salad recipe! It’s creamy, flavorful, and so simple to make with just a few ingredients. Whether you serve it in a sandwich, a lettuce wrap, or as a hearty salad bowl, this recipe is the perfect way to breathe new life into your holiday turkey.

Tired of eating leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey several days in a row? This delicious turkey salad recipe transforms your leftover turkey into something amazing and totally different!

Turkey salad sandwiches are a classic way to use up leftover turkey after holidays like Thanksgiving. They are easy to make, customizable, and delicious. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make your own tasty turkey salad sandwiches at home.

Ingredients for Turkey Salad

The base of a good turkey salad is obviously leftover roast turkey. You’ll want to use a combination of both white and dark meat, about 2-3 cups chopped into bite-sized pieces.

Beyond the turkey, there are a few other key ingredients that take the salad to the next level:

Mayonnaise: About 1/2 cup adds creaminess and binds the ingredients. I prefer Hellmann’s mayo.
Celery 1-2 ribs finely chopped gives crunch
Onion 1/4 cup finely minced adds flavor
Pickle relish or cubed sweet pickles: 1/4 cup provides tang.
Hard boiled eggs: Finely chopped, adds protein and richness.
Seasonings like salt pepper celery salt, poultry seasoning.
Optional mix-ins: Dried cranberries, grapes, apple, pecans.

The exact measurements aren’t an exact science. Adjust to your taste as you mix it all together.

How to Make Turkey Salad

Making turkey salad is simple:

Chop the turkey into bite-sized pieces. I recommend using a food processor for part of it to get an extra smooth texture.
Add the chopped turkey to a large mixing bowl.
Mix in the chopped celery, onion, relish/pickles, and hard boiled egg.
Season with about 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper, 1 tsp celery salt, and 1-2 tsp poultry seasoning like Bell’s Seasoning.
Pour in the mayo and any other extras like cranberries or pecans.
Fold everything together until well blended. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
For best flavor, refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving to let sit.

And that’s it! Easy turkey salad ready for sandwiches.

Building the Perfect Turkey Salad Sandwich

Now that the salad is made, it’s time to build a tasty sandwich. While you can enjoy the turkey salad on bread by itself, I recommend taking it up a notch with these additions:

Bread: Choose a crusty artisan bread, croissant, or baguette. Whole wheat or sourdough adds nutrition and flavor.
Lettuce: Crisp greens like romaine or iceberg give crunch.
Cheese: Cheddar, Swiss, provolone, or pepper jack.
Veggies: Tomato, avocado, roasted red peppers, sprouts.
Condiments: Cranberry sauce, pesto, mustard, or herb mayo.
Fruit: Sliced apple, pear, or grapes.

Get creative with combinations! Some of my favorites are:

Turkey salad, Swiss, avocado, and peach chutney on whole wheat.
Turkey salad and brie with spinach and honey mustard on baguette.
Turkey salad with pepper jack, tomato, and chipotle mayo on croissant.

The possibilities are endless for customizing these sandwiches.

Leftover Turkey Salad Storage

Properly stored, leftover turkey salad will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days. Here are some storage tips:

Keep salad chilled at or below 40°F.
Store in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
If saving sandwich components separate, store lettuce and tomatoes separately from the mayo-based salad.
You can also freeze turkey salad for longer storage. Leave 1/2 inch room in containers for expansion.
Frozen, it will last 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before using.

With proper storage, you can enjoy turkey salad sandwiches for almost a week after making it! It’s a great way to continue savoring Thanksgiving or holiday leftovers.

Creative Ways to Use Turkey Salad

While turkey salad sandwiches are classic, get creative with these other serving ideas:

Make lettuce wrap turkey tacos with avocado.
Stuff into a pita or wrap with hummus and feta.
Top a composed salad or eat as a salad on its own.
Mix with pasta or rice for a protein packed meal.
Use as a dip with crackers or veggies.
Make turkey salad sliders on dinner rolls.
Top a baked or mashed potato.
Fill a crepe or omelet.
Add to a pizza as a topping.
Use as a bruschetta topping on toasted baguette slices.
Make turkey salad stuffed tomatoes or bell peppers.

The flavors pair well with so many recipes beyond just sandwiches. Get creative!

Tips for the Best Turkey Salad

Here are some final tips for success making turkey salad at home:

Use a combination of white and dark turkey meat.
Chop ingredients small and uniform for the best texture.
Process some turkey in a food processor for extra creaminess.
Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving to let flavors blend.
Season conservatively at first, you can always add more.
Store leftovers chilled in airtight containers.
Feel free to substitute ingredients to your tastes.
Get creative with servings – stuff, top, or dip!

With these simple instructions, you’ll be a turkey salad pro in no time. Enjoy this classic and customizable leftover turkey recipe.

how to make turkey salad sandwiches

How long can I keep this turkey salad in the fridge?

Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to check for any signs of spoilage before serving.

Can I use dark meat instead of white meat?

Absolutely! Both dark and white turkey meat work well in this recipe. Dark meat adds a slightly richer flavor, so feel free to use what you have or prefer.

Quick & Easy Turkey Salad

FAQ

How long is leftover turkey good for in the refrigerator?

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

How many carbs are in homemade turkey salad?

Chicken or turkey salad, made with mayonnaise contains 531 calories per 226 g serving. This serving contains 42 g of fat, 32 g of protein and 6.3 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 4.8 g sugar and 0.9 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate.

What is a popular dish made from leftover turkey?

Turkey pho, turkey pot pie, turkey empanadas, turkey tamales (or do the skillet kind with turkey mix on the bottom and cornmeal on top), turkey red curry sweet potato soup, seriously google Thanksgiving leftovers and you’ll find a zillion.

How do you make a Turkey salad sandwich?

Our not so secret ingredients for making this the perfect turkey salad sandwich is a little bit of Bell’s poultry seasoning, plus a touch of brown sugar in the mix, along with minced celery, onion, celery salt and mayonnaise. We also like using a mix of the dark and white turkey meat – but whatever leftovers you have are fine!

What to put in a Turkey salad sandwich?

The essential ingredients to include in a turkey salad sandwich are diced turkey breast, mayonnaise or another creamy binder, and some crunchy vegetables like celery or onion. You’ll also want to add some seasonings like salt, pepper, and herbs to give your salad flavor.

Can you make a healthy Turkey salad sandwich?

Yes, it’s possible to make a healthy version of a turkey salad sandwich by using lean protein, plenty of vegetables, and whole grains. Look for a whole grain bread that’s low in added sugars and saturated fats, and use a light hand when adding mayonnaise or other creamy binders.

What is a Turkey salad sandwich?

When it comes to sandwiches, there’s nothing quite like a turkey salad sandwich to satisfy your cravings. The combination of tender turkey, crunchy vegetables, and creamy dressing, all held together by three slices of soft bread, is a match made in heaven.

How do you make a good turkey sandwich?

Use about 2 cups chopped turkey and 1/3 to 1/2 cup each diced celery and onion per batch. Adjust amounts to your taste. Try different mayonnaise varieties like olive oil mayo or flavored mayo. Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup nuts, dried fruit, apple, etc. if desired. Season with poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, crushed red pepper, or other spices.

Can you make a Turkey salad sandwich ahead of time?

Yes, you can make a turkey salad sandwich ahead of time, but it’s best to assemble the sandwich just before serving. You can prepare the salad ingredients, like the diced turkey and chopped vegetables, up to a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator.