Classic Creamy Turkey Salad with Grapes and Pecans

Published: May 14, 2026
Heather AllenHeather Allen
Categories: Lunches, Turkey Salads
Tags: Salad, Lunch, Quick & Easy, Turkey, Leftovers

Turkey Salad

A fresh, crunchy turkey salad with sweet grapes, pecans, and herbs. Perfect for sandwiches or wraps.

Prep Time:15 minTotal Time:15 minServings:4Difficulty:Easy

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories:380 kcal
Protein:28 g
Carbs:12 g
Fat:24 g

This turkey salad is the ultimate way to breathe new life into holiday leftovers or even a simple rotisserie bird. It’s got that perfect balance of textures—crunchy celery and toasted pecans paired with juicy, sweet red grapes—all brought together by a dressing that’s creamy but lightened up with a touch of Greek yogurt and fresh lemon juice. It's the kind of recipe that feels both nostalgic and totally fresh at the same time.

Whether you’re piling it high on a buttery croissant, scooping it with salty crackers, or serving it over a bed of crisp butter lettuce, this recipe is a versatile staple for your lunch rotation. The addition of fresh parsley and green onions adds a bright, herbaceous finish that makes the whole dish feel vibrant. It’s quick to whip up and even better after an hour in the fridge to let those flavors really meld together.

Ingredients

  • Cooked turkey breast, cubed or shredded:3 cups
  • Mayonnaise:1/2 cup
  • Plain Greek yogurt:1/4 cup
  • Red grapes, halved:1 cup
  • Celery, finely diced:1/2 cup
  • Toasted pecans, chopped:1/3 cup
  • Green onions, thinly sliced:2 pieces
  • Fresh parsley, chopped:2 tbsp
  • Lemon juice:1 tbsp
  • Dijon mustard:1 tsp
  • Salt and black pepper:to taste

Instructions

  1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard until smooth.

    Creamy lemon Dijon dressing whisked in a ceramic bowl
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked turkey, halved grapes, diced celery, chopped pecans, green onions, and fresh parsley.

    Turkey, grapes, celery, pecans and herbs arranged in a bowl
  3. Pour the dressing over the turkey mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

    Creamy dressing poured over turkey salad ingredients
  4. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting as needed.

    Creamy turkey salad topped with coarse salt and black pepper
  5. For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop.

    Covered turkey salad chilling on a refrigerator shelf
  6. Serve on bread, croissants, or a bed of mixed greens.

    Creamy turkey salad served in a croissant with mixed greens

Tips & Notes

  • If you don't have pecans, toasted walnuts or slivered almonds also provide a fantastic crunch.
  • To keep the salad from getting watery, ensure the celery and grapes are patted dry after washing and before adding them to the bowl.
  • For a bit of extra sweetness, you can add a tablespoon of honey to the dressing.