Savory Turkey Salad Bake with Cheesy Delight
Enjoy a delightful twist on your leftover turkey with this Savory Turkey Salad Bake. This quick and easy dish combines tender diced turkey with crunchy celery, toasted almonds, bright lemon zest, and a medley of colorful ingredients like bell pepper and pineapple. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, this warm casserole can be served over fluffy biscuits or rice for a comforting meal. Alternatively, you can use it as a flavorful cold filling for sandwiches, making it a versatile choice for any occasion. Perfect for families of all ages, you can customize it further with whatever meat you have on hand or adjust the seasonings to your taste. Turn your leftover turkey into an unforgettable dish that brings smiles to the dinner table!
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
cooked turkey
2 cups (diced)
celery
1 cup (diced)
almonds
1/4 cup (toasted, skins removed, chopped)
onions
3 teaspoons (minced)
fresh lemon rind
2 teaspoons (grated and chopped fine)
lemon juice
1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
mayonnaise
1/4-1/2 cup (to moisten)
cheddar cheese
1 cup (grated (or any cheese of your choice))
salt
to taste ((to taste))
black pepper
to taste ((to taste))
red pepper flakes
to taste ((to taste))
Old Bay Seasoning
to taste ((to taste))
minced garlic
to taste ((to taste))
cilantro
to taste (chopped fine)
bell pepper
to taste (chopped)
pimiento
to taste (chopped)
pineapple
to taste (drained and chopped)
apple
1 (cored, skinned, and chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced turkey, celery, toasted almonds, minced onions, lemon rind, and lemon juice.
3
Add mayonnaise gradually, mixing until the mixture is moistened to your preference.
4
Stir in the shredded cheese gently to avoid clumping.
5
Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Old Bay Seasoning, minced garlic, and chopped cilantro, adjusting to your taste.
6
Fold in the bell pepper, pimiento, pineapple, and apple until evenly distributed.
7
Transfer the mixture into a lightly buttered casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Cover with foil.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until heated thoroughly and the cheese is melted. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you desire a golden top.
9
Serve hot over flaky biscuits or steamed rice, or let it cool to use as a filling for sandwiches.
Nutrition Information
12g
Fat
10g
Carbs
13g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Turkey Salad Bake with Cheesy Delight?
It is a warm casserole dish that repurposes leftover turkey with celery, almonds, fruit, and cheese.
How much turkey do I need for this recipe?
You will need 2 cups of cooked and diced turkey.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long should I bake the turkey salad?
Bake the mixture for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated thoroughly.
Can I serve this dish cold?
Yes, you can let it cool and use it as a flavorful filling for sandwiches.
What side dishes go well with this bake?
It is delicious when served hot over flaky biscuits or steamed rice.
How should the almonds be prepared?
The almonds should be toasted, have their skins removed, and be chopped.
What kind of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese, but you can use any cheese of your choice.
How much mayonnaise should be added?
Add between 1/4 to 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, mixing until it reaches your preferred moistness.
Does this recipe include any fruit?
Yes, it includes chopped apple and drained, chopped pineapple.
What vegetables are required?
The dish includes diced celery, minced onions, bell pepper, and pimiento.
How do I prepare the apple?
The apple should be cored, skinned, and chopped.
What specific seasonings are suggested?
Seasonings include salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Old Bay Seasoning, minced garlic, and cilantro.
Should I cover the casserole dish while baking?
Yes, the dish should be covered with foil during the baking process.
How can I get a golden cheese top?
Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to brown the cheese.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is a family-friendly comfort food perfect for all ages.
Can I use other meats instead of turkey?
Yes, you can customize the dish with whatever cooked meat you have on hand.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 200 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 13 grams of protein.
How much fat is in this dish?
There are 12 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
Each serving has 10 grams of carbohydrates.
How should I prepare the lemon?
Use 2 teaspoons of grated fresh lemon rind and 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
How do I prevent the cheese from clumping?
Stir the shredded cheese in gently when mixing with the other ingredients.
What type of dish should I use for baking?
Use a lightly buttered casserole dish.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
The recipe utilizes 18 distinct ingredients.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, you can adjust the red pepper flakes and other seasonings to your personal taste.
Is the celery cooked before adding it to the mix?
No, the celery is diced and added raw to provide a crunchy texture.
How much onion is needed?
The recipe calls for 3 teaspoons of minced onions.
What should the texture of the turkey be?
The turkey should be cooked and diced into small, tender pieces.
Is this a good recipe for using up holiday leftovers?
Absolutely, it is specifically highlighted as a way to turn leftover turkey into an unforgettable meal.