Turkey Cherry and Almond Salad is a savory-sweet dish with diced roasted turkey, tart dried cherries, and crunchy almond slivers, tossed in a mayonnaise dressing with herb and spice. Diced celery and onion brings even more flavor and texture to this delicious, high-protein salad. There is no shortage of flavorful chicken salads here! Try some of our others like this Apple Walnut Chicken Salad or Dill Pickle Turkey Salad or this Herbed Chicken Salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Irresistible Flavor Profile: The savory richness of diced turkey pairs beautifully with the sweet-tart punch of dried cherries.
Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients to fit your preferences, such as pecans instead of almonds, chicken instead of turkey.
Quick & Convenient: This turkey cherry and almond salad is an exceptionally fast meal to assemble, requiring only 10-15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
It’s Paleo and Whole30: Having no gluten, grains, or dairy, it is the perfect dish if you need to keep it Paleo or Whole30 friendly.
Ingredients You Will Need
Turkey: is a popular poultry dish that is often enjoyed during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love Grass Roots Coop for all of my meat purchases.
Celery: is a nutrient rich, low calorie food and adds a delightful crunch to this salad.
Onion: commonly used in cooking has a strong flavor that mellows into a deep sweetness when cooked, caramelized, or roasted.
Dried cherries: are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and fiber, and provide a sweet-tart flavor that’s perfect for this turkey cherry and almond salad.
Slivered almonds: are mild in flavor making them a popular choice over other nuts for added texture.
Avocado oil mayonnaise: offers a unique creamy texture and a healthier fat profile.
Dried thyme: is a pungent herb that can withstand longer cooking times in stews and soups and adds a depth of flavor.
Salt and black pepper: salt enhances and balances flavors. Meanwhile, ground black pepper adds a gentle heat.
Instructions
In a large bowl: add the pre-cooked diced turkey, celery, onion, almond slivers, dried cherries, mayonnaise, thyme, salt and pepper. Mix well with a rubber spatula.
Enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Not just for Thanksgiving: Enjoy this turkey, cherry and almond salad any time of the year!
Dice the turkey small and evenly: Having the turkey evenly diced makes for a nicer texture when enjoying the salad.
Use purchased slivered almonds: Both raw or toasted almond slivers are delicious in this dish.
Recipe Variations
Chicken: is a perfect alternative for the turkey.
Pasta: Add your favorite pasta if you are not concerned about keeping it Paleo or Whole30 friendly.
Dried cranberries: make a great substitute for the dried cherries.
Storage Tips
You can store this turkey cherry and almond salad in the fridge for 4-5 days when placed in an airtight glass container.
FAQ’s About Turkey Cherry and Almond Salad
How to serve this salad?
Serve it over a mixed greens salad, on a croissant, or with crackers.
What can I use instead of turkey?
Grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken works well as a substitute.
What can I use instead of mayonnaise?
Plain, unsweetened yogurt or Greek yogurt are perfect options.
Turkey Cherry and Almond Salad
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl add the pre-cooked diced turkey, diced celery, diced onion, almond slivers, dried cherries, mayonnaise, thyme, salt and pepper. Mix well with a rubber spatula.
- Enjoy!
