Cantaloupe Turkey Salad
A refreshing and flavorful salad combining smoked turkey, sweet cantaloupe, crunchy celery, and green onions, dressed with a tangy sesame vinaigrette—perfect for light, healthy meals.
Ingredients
- 3/4 lb. fully cooked smoked turkey breast, cut into 1/4-inch cubes ⓘ
- 3/4 lb. cantaloupe, cut into cubes ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped celery ⓘ
- 1/2 c. sliced green onion ⓘ
- 1 tsp. white vinegar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. sesame oil ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes ⓘ
- 1 large garlic clove, minced ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine turkey, cantaloupe, celery, and green onion in a bowl.
- In a small bowl, mix together white vinegar, sesame oil, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic.
- Pour the dressing over the turkey and cantaloupe mixture and toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added crunch, consider substituting the celery with jicama or cucumber. You can also swap smoked turkey for rotisserie chicken for a different flavor profile. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add a touch of honey to the vinaigrette. This salad can be made a day in advance; just keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to prevent the cantaloupe from getting mushy.
Serving Suggestions
This Cantaloupe Turkey Salad makes a refreshing lunch or light dinner, especially during warm months. Pair it with crusty bread or serve it alongside a light soup, such as Low-Fat Harvest Soup, for a complete meal. It also works well as a filling for lettuce wraps or as a topping for greens.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To maintain freshness, it’s best to keep the dressing separate until just before serving. If needed, you can gently toss the salad to combine again after refrigeration, ensuring the ingredients are evenly coated.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cantaloupe Turkey Salad contains roughly 131 calories, with 17g protein, 13g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (50% of the Daily Value), protein (34% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (33% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2254mg per serving (98% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I serve with this salad?
This salad pairs well with a variety of dishes. For a complete meal, serve it alongside grilled vegetables or a quinoa salad. You can also enjoy it with a slice of your favorite bread or as part of a picnic spread, where it complements other light dishes perfectly.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).