Turkey Cranberry Salad (Kneader's Copycat)

Giant Turkey Cranberry Salad freshly dressed ready to be enjoyed.

4.80 from 5 votes

Turkey Cranberry Salad (Kneader's Copycat)

Try this Turkey Cranberry Salad—a tasty blend of sweet cranberries, tender turkey, creamy cheese, tangy onion, and crunchy sunflower seeds. Inspired by a bakery favorite, it’s perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers or a quick meal with shredded chicken!

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Dinner, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Turkey Cranberry Salad

Servings: as a side

Author: Chelsea Lords

Cost: $12.65

Equipment

Small blender
Wide-mouth Mason Jar or other sealable container

Ingredients

Salad

6 cups mixed greens
1-1/2 cups shredded turkey or chicken
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup sunflower kernels
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion 1/4th of 1 onion, see note 1
3/4 cup Freshly shredded mozzarella cheese 2.5 ounces

Poppyseed Dressing (see note 2)

2-1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons ground mustard
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
Salt and pepper

US - Metric

Instructions

In a large bowl, toss together salad greens, turkey or chicken, sunflower kernels, dried cranberries, shredded mozzarella, and thinly sliced red onion.
Combine all the dressing ingredients except poppy seeds in a small blender. Season to taste (I add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper). Blend until smooth and fully emulsified. Stir through poppy seeds. Transfer to a covered jar and chill until ready to use. Shake before using. Best made a day in advance!
Dress the salad with the Poppy Seed Dressing right before serving. If you anticipate having leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately. Add dressing gradually to personal preference; you may not need/want to use it all at once.

Notes

Note 1: To remove the “bite” of red onion, soak it in cold water for about 10 minutes, then drain and use as desired.

Note 2: While this dressing may not be the most nutritious option, it’s a perfect match for the original, especially if you prepare it a day ahead and let it chill overnight! If you notice some separation, allow it to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then give it a good shake to recombine. For a lower sugar dressing, try this Poppy Seed Dressing or a Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Storage: To keep your Turkey Cranberry Salad fresh, dress it just before serving. If you expect leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately.

Nutrition