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Curried Turkey Salad with Apple & Almond

curried turkey salad in a bowl
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Looking for a fresh way to use leftover turkey? Our Curried Turkey Salad with Apple & Almond is the perfect combination of crunchy, creamy, and flavourful!

With toasted almonds, a hint of curry, and fresh bites of honeycrisp apple, this salad is so good and addictive, you may not be able to wait for leftovers to make it!   Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or whipping up a quick lunch, this turkey salad will keep you coming back for more.

We love this recipe for its versatility, texture, and bold flavours—and we think you will too!

And if you need to start with roasting a turkey, give our How to Cook A Turkey Guide a read!  

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds
  • 2 heaping tbsp. Roasted Almond Butter
  • 1/2 tsp. Curry Powder
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise, or to your liking
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 2 tbsp.)
  • 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt
  • 1-2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup diced apple (honeycrisp is our fave, or granny smith)
  • 1/2 cup grated carrot
  • 2 1/2 cups cooked, diced turkey breast

Instructions

  1. Toast the Almonds: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread the sliced almonds evenly on a small baking sheet and toast them for 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning—they should turn a light golden brown. Remove and let them cool. Once cooled, blend the almonds in a food processor or blender until finely ground.  We love this little food chopper!  
  2. Make the Curried Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the roasted almond butter, curry powder, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and kosher salt. The curry powder gives this salad a warm, slightly spicy kick that pairs beautifully with the creaminess of the dressing.
  3. Mix the Salad: Add the finely ground almonds into the dressing mixture and stir to combine. Next, toss in the green onion, diced apple, grated carrot, and diced turkey breast. Gently fold all the ingredients together until everything is well-coated in the curried almond dressing.
  4. Chill and Serve!  
  5. Chill the salad in the fridge for about 20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up. Pro tip: This salad keeps well for 3-4 days, so it’s perfect for meal prep or make-ahead lunches!

Notes

Chef’s Tips for Curried Almond Turkey Salad:

    • Almond Butter: Make sure to use roasted almond butter for a deeper, richer flavor. The nuttiness complements the curry spice and turkey perfectly.

    • Apple Choice: Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples add a sweet-tart crunch that balances out the creamy dressing. You can use your favorite apple, but these varieties offer the best texture.  Honeycrisp also does not oxidise.  

    • Customizing the Creaminess: Feel free to adjust the amount of mayonnaise to suit your personal taste. You can also swap it for Greek yogurt if you want a lighter version.  

    • Optional Broccoli: influenced by that classic broccoli-bacon salad, we’ve added in about 1 cup of small, raw broccoli florets to this salad as well!

How to Enjoy Curried Almond Turkey Salad

This salad is versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:

    • Delicious on it’s own for the fastest lunch of all time!

    • Serve it on a bed of greens for extra crunch

    • Scoop it into a wrap or sandwich for a hearty meal on the go.

    • Pair with crackers or toast for a quick snack.

Final Thoughts

This Curried Turkey Salad with Almond and Apples takes a classic dish to the next level with its unique flavour combination of almonds, curry, and apple. It’s a delightful, easy-to-make meal that’s both satisfying and healthy. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep, this recipe is sure to become a favourite in your kitchen.

Take Your Cooking to the Next Level!

Love this recipe? Learn from a chef and bring restaurant-quality meals to your kitchen with our online cooking classes! Choose the option that fits your lifestyle:

Find it online: https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/recipes/curried-turkey-salad/