Turkey Salad With Honey Cream Dressing
A vibrant and nutritious turkey salad featuring fresh vegetables, sweet orange segments, and a honey-orange dressing. The crunchy kale base adds texture, making it perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It combines sweet, tangy, and savory flavors for a satisfying and healthy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup nonfat yogurt
- 4 oz. rotelle or other shaped pasta
- 2 cups cooked turkey breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup celery, sliced ⓘ
- 1 cup orange sections ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons honey ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon orange juice ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon poppy seed ⓘ
- 2 cups shredded kale ⓘ
Instructions
- Spoon yogurt into a cheesecloth-lined strainer or yogurt cheese funnel and set over a glass to drain for about 10 minutes.
- Cook pasta in boiling water for 10 minutes or until just tender.
- Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water.
- Place the cooked pasta in a large bowl.
- Add cooked turkey, sliced celery, orange sections, sliced water chestnuts, and minced parsley.
- Toss the ingredients well to combine.
- Transfer the drained yogurt to a small bowl.
- Whisk in honey, orange juice, dry mustard, ground black pepper, and poppy seed until smooth.
- Pour the honey cream dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
- Line serving plates with kale leaves.
- Top the kale with the turkey salad and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding diced apples or grapes for sweetness and crunch. If you're short on time, rotisserie turkey can be a great substitute for cooked turkey breast. For a creamier dressing, use Greek yogurt instead of nonfat yogurt. You can also adjust the honey based on your taste preference.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this turkey salad on a bed of fresh greens or alongside whole grain crackers for a light meal. It pairs beautifully with the Fat Free Strawberry Dream for dessert. Consider a side of roasted vegetables or a light soup to complete the meal. This dish is perfect for picnics or potlucks.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover turkey salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the kale wilts, consider serving the salad on fresh kale leaves again. For best results, enjoy it cold, but you can also gently reheat individual portions in the microwave, being careful not to overheat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Turkey Salad With Honey Cream Dressing contains roughly 352 calories, with 27g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (133% of the Daily Value), calcium (68% of the Daily Value), and protein (53% of the Daily Value). At about 352 calories per serving, it is a lighter, protein-rich choice.
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
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
What can I use instead of yogurt?
If you prefer a non-dairy option, you can substitute the yogurt with a plant-based yogurt or a vegan mayo for a similar creamy texture.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This turkey salad holds up well in the fridge, making it a great option for meal prep. Just store the components separately to maintain freshness.
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).