Sonny’s Waldorf Turkey Salad: A Delicious and Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, a mountain of delicious food. But what happens after the feast? Often, we’re left with a fridge overflowing with leftovers, and figuring out what to do with all that turkey can be a challenge. Fear not! This recipe for Sonny’s Waldorf Turkey Salad is the perfect solution. It’s a refreshing, flavorful, and surprisingly easy way to transform your Thanksgiving turkey into a delightful new meal. This isn’t just any turkey salad; it’s a Waldorf-inspired delight, combining the classic flavors of apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts with the savory goodness of turkey. Get ready to enjoy a sandwich, wrap, or even a light lunch that’s bursting with flavor!
## Why This Waldorf Turkey Salad is a Winner
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why this Waldorf Turkey Salad is a must-try:
* **Delicious Flavor Profile:** The combination of sweet apples and grapes, crunchy celery and walnuts, and savory turkey creates a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that is simply irresistible. It’s a welcome change from the heavier Thanksgiving fare.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe requires minimal cooking and preparation. It’s mostly chopping and mixing, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re simply tired of cooking.
* **Perfect for Leftovers:** It’s the ideal way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey and prevent food waste. Give your turkey a new life and enjoy it in a completely different way.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy it as a sandwich filling, wrap it in lettuce cups for a lighter option, serve it over crackers as an appetizer, or simply eat it straight from the bowl! The possibilities are endless.
* **Customizable:** Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking. Add cranberries, pecans, or even a touch of curry powder for a unique twist. We’ll discuss variations later.
## Sonny’s Waldorf Turkey Salad Recipe
This recipe is inspired by classic Waldorf salad recipes, adapted to showcase leftover turkey. Let’s get started!
**Yields:** Approximately 6 servings
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced (about 1 pound)
* 1 cup red grapes, halved
* 1 cup green apple, diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
* 1 cup celery, diced
* 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
* 1/2 cup mayonnaise (use your favorite; light or full-fat both work)
* 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (optional, for a lighter salad)
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
* Optional additions: Dried cranberries, chopped pecans, chopped fresh parsley
**Equipment:**
* Large mixing bowl
* Cutting board
* Knife
* Measuring cups and spoons
**Instructions:**
**1. Prepare the Turkey:**
* Ensure your turkey is fully cooked and cooled before starting. If you’re using leftover Thanksgiving turkey, remove the skin and bones. Shred or dice the turkey into bite-sized pieces. The size of the pieces is up to you; some prefer smaller, more uniform pieces, while others like a chunkier salad.
**2. Chop the Fruits and Vegetables:**
* Wash and dry the grapes, apple, and celery thoroughly.
* Halve the grapes and remove any seeds if necessary.
* Dice the apple into small, bite-sized pieces. If you’re concerned about browning, toss the diced apple with a teaspoon of lemon juice to help prevent oxidation.
* Dice the celery into small pieces, similar in size to the apple.
* Coarsely chop the walnuts. You can toast them lightly in a dry skillet for a few minutes to enhance their flavor, but this is optional. Be careful not to burn them!
**3. Make the Dressing:**
* In the large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (if using), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
* Whisk the dressing together until it is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add a bit more lemon juice for extra tang, or a pinch more salt to balance the sweetness.
**4. Combine the Ingredients:**
* Add the shredded or diced turkey, halved grapes, diced apple, diced celery, and chopped walnuts to the mixing bowl with the dressing.
**5. Mix Gently:**
* Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as this can cause the salad to become mushy.
**6. Chill and Serve:**
* Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Chilling the salad also helps to prevent the apple from browning further.
* Serve chilled. Enjoy the Waldorf Turkey Salad as a sandwich filling, in lettuce wraps, on crackers, or as a light lunch.
## Tips for the Perfect Waldorf Turkey Salad
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** The better the ingredients, the better the salad. Choose fresh, crisp apples, plump grapes, and crunchy celery. Use a good quality mayonnaise that you enjoy the taste of.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing can make the salad mushy. Gently toss the ingredients together until they are just coated with the dressing.
* **Chill Before Serving:** Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld together and helps to prevent the apple from browning. It also makes the salad more refreshing to eat.
* **Adjust the Sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet salad, use a tart apple variety like Granny Smith and reduce the amount of grapes. You can also add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
* **Toast the Walnuts:** Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor and adds a pleasant crunch to the salad. Simply toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Be careful not to burn them!
* **Prevent Apple Browning:** Toss the diced apple with a teaspoon of lemon juice to help prevent it from browning. You can also store the diced apple in a bowl of cold water with a squeeze of lemon juice until you are ready to use it.
## Variations and Customization
One of the best things about this Waldorf Turkey Salad recipe is its versatility. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique version.
* **Add Dried Cranberries:** Dried cranberries add a burst of tartness and sweetness that complements the other flavors in the salad. Add about 1/4 cup of dried cranberries to the salad.
* **Use Different Nuts:** Pecans, almonds, or even sunflower seeds can be substituted for the walnuts. Toast them for added flavor.
* **Add Fresh Herbs:** Chopped fresh parsley, chives, or dill can add a touch of freshness to the salad. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of chopped herbs.
* **Make it Spicy:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing for a spicy kick.
* **Add Curry Powder:** A pinch of curry powder adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the salad. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and adjust to your liking.
* **Use Different Fruits:** Try adding chopped pears, mandarin oranges, or even pineapple for a tropical twist.
* **Substitute Yogurt for Mayonnaise:** For a lighter salad, substitute plain Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayonnaise. This will reduce the fat content and add a tangy flavor.
* **Add Avocado:** Diced avocado adds a creamy texture and healthy fats to the salad. Add about 1/2 cup of diced avocado just before serving.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Substitute chickpeas or white beans for the turkey for a vegetarian version of this salad.
## Serving Suggestions
This Waldorf Turkey Salad is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways:
* **Sandwiches and Wraps:** This is the most common and classic way to enjoy Waldorf Turkey Salad. Spread it on your favorite bread or wrap it in a tortilla with lettuce and other veggies.
* **Lettuce Cups:** For a lighter and healthier option, serve the salad in lettuce cups. Butter lettuce or romaine lettuce leaves work well.
* **Crackers:** Serve the salad on crackers as an appetizer or snack. Choose your favorite crackers, such as water crackers, whole wheat crackers, or even pita chips.
* **Salad Topping:** Use the Waldorf Turkey Salad as a topping for a green salad. It adds protein, flavor, and texture to your salad.
* **Stuffed Avocado:** Halve an avocado and remove the pit. Fill the avocado halves with the Waldorf Turkey Salad for a delicious and healthy meal.
* **Deviled Eggs:** Mix the Waldorf Turkey Salad with the yolks from hard-boiled eggs and pipe the mixture back into the egg whites for a unique and flavorful twist on deviled eggs.
* **As a Side Dish:** Serve a scoop of the salad alongside grilled chicken, fish, or vegetables as a side dish.
* **Baked Potato Topping:** Top a baked potato with the Waldorf Turkey Salad for a hearty and satisfying meal.
## Storing Leftover Waldorf Turkey Salad
Store any leftover Waldorf Turkey Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad is best enjoyed within the first 24 hours, as the apples and celery may soften over time. Be sure to give it a good stir before serving.
**Can you freeze Waldorf Turkey Salad?**
Freezing Waldorf Turkey Salad is not recommended. The mayonnaise in the dressing can separate upon thawing, resulting in a watery and unappetizing salad. The texture of the fruits and vegetables may also change during freezing, making them mushy.
## Nutrition Information (approximate per serving)
* Calories: 350-450 (depending on ingredients and portion size)
* Protein: 20-25g
* Fat: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 15-25g
* Fiber: 3-5g
*Note: This is an estimate. Actual values will vary based on specific ingredients used.*
## Conclusion
Sonny’s Waldorf Turkey Salad is a delicious, easy, and versatile recipe that’s perfect for using up Thanksgiving leftovers. It’s a welcome change from the heavier holiday fare and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. With its combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy textures, this salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, next time you find yourself with leftover turkey, skip the boring sandwiches and try this amazing Waldorf Turkey Salad recipe. You won’t be disappointed!
Enjoy!