Curried Turkey, Apple & Almond Salad

Looking for a fresh way to use leftover turkey? Our Curried Turkey, Apple & Almond Turkey Salad 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.

As professional chefs, we love this recipe for its versatility, texture, and bold flavors—and we think you will too!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• ⅓ cup sliced almonds
• 2 heaping tbsp. roasted almond butter
• ¾ tsp. curry powder, like this one 
• ½ cup mayonnaise (or to your liking)--we have also used equal parts mayonnaise & plain yogurt for a lighter version
• Juice of ½ lemon (about 2 tbsp.)
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• 1 green onion, finely sliced
• ¾ cup diced apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith preferred)
• 1 cup grated carrot (about 1 medium carrot)
• 2 ½ cups diced cooked turkey breast meat

How to Make Curried Almond Turkey Salad

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

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! 

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 Almond Turkey Salad takes a classic dish to the next level with its unique flavor 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 favorite in your kitchen.