What is a Harvest Turkey Cobb Salad?
This Harvest Turkey Cobb Salad was born from a craving of harvest and fall flavors while having left over turkey and squash. This adds a seasonal twist to your average cobb salad taking it from a summer time favorite to this cozy fall inspired one.
Turkey, maple, cranberries, pecans, and apples are all easy to find during the fall months. All of these ingredients add so much taste and texture you are going to be making this over and over.
Not to mention the addictive maple vinaigrette dressing you are going to make and store in the fridge to drizzle over literally everything! If you don’t want to make your own you can easily find similar versions at the store, but you should definitely try the homemade version when you have time!
Making and roasting the squash is a really cost effective in the fall but when you got to make this out of season you can easily find frozen butternut squash now in the frozen vegetable section. To learn more about eating in season check out this article. It is a really budget friendly vegetable no matter the time of year!
Why You’ll Love This Harvest Turkey Cobb Salad Recipe
It is 100% full of fall flavors without using pumpkin spice and cinnamon (but you could use it if you want!). You get to take advantage of the on sale and in season produce like apples and butternut squash so they are budget friendly. Also the main protein, turkey, is in season in the fall and winter months. You can usually find it on sale for either the whole turkey or turkey breasts. You can also use deli turkey if you don’t have any of the whole type leftover.
You get to use your leftover turkey from any Thanksgiving meals into this salad! You don’t have to lean on just eating turkey sandwiches for the rest of your life when you can drizzle this vinaigrette over it and have the crunchy vegetables with it.
Harvest Turkey Cobb Salads are meal prep friendly too. You can chop up all the pieces and have them in separate containers in the fridge for easy assembly or put it all together in a bowl for a grab and go meal. Either way, keep the dressing separate so that the leaves and veggies don’t get soggy from it.
Not only does this meal help you use up your leftovers but it is full of literally all the nutrients you need. There are veggies, healthy carbs, protein, and a plethora of vitamins and minerals.
If you are using leftovers this salad come together in 10 minutes or less. If you are roasting the butternut squash for the first time for the salad it might take a little longer, just chop it and toss it in the oven. Then start washing and prepping the other ingredients so you can easily toss it together when the squash is done.
Tips for the Best Harvest Turkey Cobb Salad
Using leftover Thanksgiving Turkey will result in the most flavorful salad. However you can easily use any turkey variety you can get your hands on.
Change it up by swapping out the feta for a smoked Gouda and you will add a whole new layer of flavor to this salad. It complements it so well and you are seriously going to be addicted to this.
The dressing can be made about 5 days in advance and can be stored in the fridge. This way the flavors can blend and meld together. It also means less time in the kitchen the day you want to eat this!
Meal Prep and Storage Tips for Harvest Turkey Cobb Salad
To make everything last as long as possible keep the salad ingredients in different containers in the fridge. This way you can use it for the salads or use it for other recipes as the week progresses too.
DO NOT put the dressing on the salad until you are ready to eat it. The dressing cooks the veggies due to the acid in it and it will make everything soggy. Keep everything fresh and crunchy by keeping them separate.
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Ingredients
Method
- Mix dressing ingredients together in a small jar. Shaking well to combine, it may settle too so shake it before using it as well.
- Roast butternut squash or sweet potatoes. Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread butternut squash pieces over it. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Layer salad in a bowl. First lettuce mix. Then across the top place each of the toppings in a row: apple slices, turkey pieces, bacon bits, dried cranberries, feta/gouda, and butternut squash.
- Drizzle dressing over right before serving, or use your favorite balsamic vinaigrette.