Description
Easy, customizable lunch or dinner made with smoked turkey, fresh vegetables, bacon, avocado, blue cheese, and your favorite dressing. Perfect for using up leftover smoked turkey and creating a family-friendly salad bar meal.
Ingredients
Salad Base
- Chopped greens — A mix is our usual choice, but any salad greens work well.
- Chopped smoked turkey — The star of the show. We use our homegrown turkey, but any leftover smoked turkey works great. I recommend sourcing local, pasture-raised meats whenever possible.
Ideal Toppings
- Chopped bacon — We use our homegrown bacon. Again, I recommend sourcing local, pasture-raised meats whenever possible.
- Tomatoes — Best when they’re in season and bursting with flavor. Otherwise, skip!
- Carrots — Julienned, if possible, for color and crunch. Or shredded.
- Cucumbers — Diced or sliced, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
- Blue cheese crumbles — I keep these on hand almost all the time. They add incredible flavor.
- Avocado — Creamy, rich, and one of my favorite additions.
- Sweet bell pepper — Diced for sweetness and color.
- Chickpeas — Optional, but a great way to use up extras and add even more staying power.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Prep the Ingredients
- Cook and chop the bacon
- Chop the turkey
- Prepare vegetables
Pro tip: Cook extra bacon for breakfast and stash the extras in the refrigerator for streamlined salad prep later in the week. Try this hands-off method of cooking bacon.
2. Create a Salad Bar: Arrange all of the ingredients on a large cutting board and add multiple tongs.
3. Build Your Bowl
- Start with greens and smoked turkey.
- Then pile on your favorite toppings.
4. Add Dressing and Enjoy: Finish with your dressing of choice and dig in.
To make balsamic dressing, combine everything in a mason jar or dressing bottle and shake or stir until well combined. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.