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–+ servings
Macaroni Turkey Salad
Macaroni Turkey Salad is a refreshing and satisfying cold dish ideal for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch. Combining tender shell pasta, juicy grapes, cooked turkey breast, and crisp green onions, this dish strikes a perfect balance of savory and sweet. The creamy dressing, made with mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and dill weed, adds a tangy, herby finish. This recipe creatively uses leftover turkey and is a great way to enjoy seasonal ingredients with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 315 kcal

Ingredients
  

Salad Base:

  • 1 cup shell-shaped macaroni
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup turkey breast (cubed & cooked )
  • 1 cup seedless grapes
  • ¼ cup green onions (sliced )

Dressing:

  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp dried dill weed

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cook Macaroni

  • Bring 3 cups of water to a boil.
  • Add macaroni and cook for 6–8 minutes until tender.
  • Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Cool completely.

Step 2: Combine Salad Ingredients

  • In a medium bowl, combine cooled macaroni, turkey, grapes, and green onions.
  • Toss to mix well.

Step 3: Make Dressing

  • In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, pepper, and dill weed until smooth.

Step 4: Assemble Salad

  • Pour dressing over the salad mixture.
  • Toss to coat thoroughly.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
  • Serve chilled.

Tips

  • Substitute chicken for turkey if desired
  • Use red grapes for extra color contrast
  • Chill at least 1 hour for best flavor
  • Add celery for extra crunch
  • Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream for a lighter version
  • Increase Dijon mustard for a sharper dressing
  • Add chopped parsley or dill for freshness
  • Serve over lettuce for a lighter lunch option

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 18gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 290mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1.1mg
Keyword creamy dressing, make-ahead, pasta salad, picnic, potluck, turkey, vintage recipe
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