Cranberry Wild Rice Turkey Salad Delight
Transform your leftover turkey into a vibrant and nutritious dish with this Cranberry Wild Rice Turkey Salad Delight. This salad combines the nutty flavors of wild rice with tender turkey, fresh vegetables, and sweet-tart cranberries. The addition of a zesty lemon dressing elevates the flavors, making it perfect for lunch or as a refreshing snack. Packed with protein and fiber, this salad is not only delicious but also a great way to use up leftover turkey. Serve it on a bed of crisp lettuce for an eye-catching presentation and an extra crunch.
6
Servings
150
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
3 cups (For cooking wild rice.)
Wild Rice
1 cup (Rinsed and added to boiling water.)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (For seasoning rice.)
Cranberries
1 cup (Fresh or dried, to be cooked with water.)
Sugar
1 tablespoon (For sweetening cranberries.)
Carrot
1/2 cup (Diced and steamed until crisp-tender.)
Olive Oil
1/4 cup (For dressing.)
Fresh Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons (For dressing.)
Garlic
1 clove (Minced for flavoring dressing.)
Salt and Pepper
To taste (For seasoning.)
Cooked Turkey
3/4 lb (Shredded, about 2 cups.)
Celery
1/2 cup (Chopped.)
Fresh Parsley
1/2 cup (Chopped.)
Red Onion
1/2 cup (Chopped.)
Raisins
1/4 cup (For sweetness and texture.)
Green Leaf Lettuce
As needed (For serving.)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add the wild rice and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed, about 55 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
2
Meanwhile, place the cranberries and 1 tablespoon of water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low until the cranberries begin to soften, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes. Increase heat to high, add the sugar, and continue cooking until the sugar is dissolved and the cranberries are tender, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a plate, and refrigerate until chilled.
3
In a steamer, steam the diced carrots for about 4 minutes until they are crisp-tender. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down.
4
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled wild rice, steamed carrots, shredded turkey, chopped celery, parsley, red onion, and raisins. Pour the dressing over the mixture and add the chilled cranberries. Toss everything thoroughly until well incorporated.
6
For best flavor, you can prepare the salad up to 8 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
7
To serve, line 6 plates with green leaf lettuce. Divide the salad among the plates and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
18g
Carbs
10g
Protein
2g
Fiber
4g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cranberry Wild Rice Turkey Salad Delight?
It is a vibrant, nutritious salad that combines leftover turkey, wild rice, fresh vegetables, and sweet-tart cranberries with a zesty lemon dressing.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this salad?
Each serving contains approximately 150 calories.
What are the primary macronutrients in a serving?
A serving contains 10g of protein, 5g of fat, and 18g of carbohydrates.
Is this salad high in fiber?
Each serving provides 2g of fiber.
How much sugar is in each serving?
There are 4g of sugar per serving.
How long does it take to cook the wild rice?
The wild rice takes about 55 minutes to simmer until tender and the water is absorbed.
How should the cranberries be prepared?
Cranberries should be heated with water until soft, then cooked with sugar until tender before being chilled.
What ingredients are used for the dressing?
The dressing consists of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
How do you prepare the carrots for this salad?
The carrots should be diced and steamed for about 4 minutes until they are crisp-tender.
Can I make this turkey salad in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the salad up to 8 hours in advance for the best flavor.
What is the best way to serve the salad?
Serve the salad on a bed of crisp green leaf lettuce for an eye-catching presentation.
How much turkey is needed for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3/4 lb of cooked, shredded turkey, which is roughly 2 cups.
What kind of rice is used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of wild rice.
Are there any dried fruits in this salad?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 cup of raisins for sweetness and texture.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried parsley?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of fresh, chopped parsley.
What type of onion is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chopped red onion.
Is there garlic in the recipe?
Yes, one clove of minced garlic is used to flavor the dressing.
How much olive oil is required for the dressing?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of olive oil.
What is the ratio of water to wild rice?
Use 3 cups of water for 1 cup of wild rice.
How much sugar is used to sweeten the cranberries?
1 tablespoon of sugar is used for the cranberries.
Is the turkey diced or shredded?
The cooked turkey should be shredded.
Can I use this recipe for lunch?
Yes, it is specifically described as being perfect for lunch or as a refreshing snack.
Should the rice be hot or cold when mixing?
The wild rice should be allowed to cool completely before mixing with the other ingredients.
What texture should the carrots have?
The carrots should be crisp-tender after steaming.
Does this recipe include celery?
Yes, it includes 1/2 cup of chopped celery.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 16 ingredients listed for this salad.
What is used to season the dressing?
Salt and pepper are added to the dressing to taste.
How long should the cranberries be refrigerated?
The cranberries should be refrigerated until they are chilled before adding to the salad.
Is fresh lemon juice required?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.