Since becoming a parent and seeking out healthy food choices for my family, I have always gone to turkey for sandwiches and even for lasagna.
I’ve always loved a good traditional turkey dinner, and so do my kids.
I’ll admit it though, in the past, I didn’t often cook a whole turkey.
Why?
Two reasons: I really didn’t know how to cook it and I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, other than sandwiches.
Those days are over.
Spoiler alert: I make a pretty mean warm turkey and root vegetable salad now.
Table of Contents
The Truth About Turkey and Warm Turkey and Root Vegetable Salad
Thanks to CanadianTurkey.ca I was able read up on “Whole Bird How Tos“.
There I found cooking times and temperatures, a turkey calculator and even a ‘how-to’ video.
This site completely foolproof my turkey cooking.
Do you know what else I learned? It wasn’t nearly as hard as I imagined.
Slaving over a hot stove all day has never been something I like to do.
I am an extrovert and a people person, so I would much rather be visiting with my dinner guests while dinner magically prepared itself.
By preparing the turkey, and maybe stuffing or a casserole, ahead of time, it is straight forward and delicious.
Now for problem number 2. Leftovers.
My family LOVES leftovers.
The kids take ‘warm-ups’ to school, at least once a week and my husband will take his to work.
However, serving leftovers as another main course is my dream.
As you may have gathered from the paragraph above, I am not much of a cook.
Not because I don’t like to cook, but because I would rather be doing other things.
Creating main course meals from your turkey leftovers can be as simple as switching out another protein for the turkey leftover from your dinner.
Turkey lasagna, turkey Alfredo, turkey salad wraps.
The list goes on.
One delicious leftover turkey recipe is below, you should give it a try!
Warm Turkey and Root Vegetable Salad with Goat Cheese Dressing
Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 25 mins. Cook time: 20 mins.
For roasted vegetables:
2 beets
12 brussel sprouts
3 carrots
3 parsnips
1 turnip
1 small sweet potato
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
For salad:
1 cup baby arugula
1 cup salad greens
2 cups leftover turkey, chopped
½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
For dressing:
½ cup olive oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsps chopped parsley
1 small package goat cheese
Instructions:
- Set oven to broil.
- Wash, peel and roughly chop vegetables.
- Place vegetables on a baking tray. Season with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Set oven rack to the middle position. Broil vegetables until browned and cooked through, 15 – 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
- Mix together all dressing ingredients except cheese and whisk together. Break cheese into small chunks and add to dressing.
- Combine greens, top with roasted vegetables and walnuts.
- Dress salad and serve.
TIP: Double the turkey in this recipe to create a main dish, great for lunch or a light dinner.
Warm Turkey and Root Vegetable Salad with Goat Cheese Dressing Recipe
[yumprint-recipe id=’158′]Try these awesome recipes; Sweet Maple Green Beans, How to prepare a Tasty and Nutritious Meal for your Family, Oven Baked Summer Squash Fries, 10 Unique Jobs For Teenagers and Warm Asparagus Spears with Pine Nuts.
Looks amazing!
Thanks for sharing with us at this week’s Merry Monday link party!
We hope to see you again next week!
Kate | TheOrganizedDream.com
I just discovered you on Welcome Home Wednesdays! I love healthful recipes like this! Pinned!
AWESOME!!!! Love the Turkey Tacos!
This looks really filling and I’m pinning it so I can find it after Thanksgiving.
Smoked Turkey Wraps – My little ones love wraps! With turkey and veggies they are getting a great nutritious meal!
My family would love the Turkey Tacos.
My family would love the Caesar Turkey Schnitzel Sandwich because it sounds delicious and a fast meal.
Pinned bc I’m sure we’re all going to need this in a few weeks after Thanksgiving. It looks amazing. Thank you for sharing with Delicious Dishes Recipe Party this week!
Smoked Turkey Wraps are great for my family because they can make them with the toppings they like and can be good for a quick meal.
This sounds so amazing, got to give this a try! 🙂
I love turkey and we use it instead of ground beef
My family would love the BBQ Turkey Club with Spicy Mayo which is great as it is so easy to make!
My family would like to try the Cheesy Tomato and Turkey Bake. That an interesting recipe that would all enjoy!
I love turkey and I don’t know why I don’t cook it more often. It really isn’t difficult and leftovers are always tasty. Thanks for sharing your recipe on Merry Monday. Pinned.
Smoked Turkey Wraps are a great summer lunch option for the family as they travel well!
My family would enjoy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Sweet Potato, Chipotle and Maple because it’s a little bit spicy and sweet.
After 3 turkey meals for thanksgiving, one hosted at my house, we had a few meals with the left overs and this year I found myself looking for new ideas as well. I made turkey cheese buns for lunches, turkey Caesar and Turkey quesadillas. Erg he divorced parents and family in law holiday meals, I get very turkey’s out. But this year I got through it lol. Look forward to Christmas left overs now, great meal ideas, thanks!
Just LOOK at that photo of the HONEY GARLIC TURKEY TENDERS WITH SWEET AND SMOKY DIPPING SAUCE, that breading looks amazing! It’s made with oats, wheat bran, & wheat breadcrumbs for a healthier, more nutritious option for my family vs serving them greasy fried chicken fingers. Seriously can’t wait to try these!
I like the SWEET & SPICY OVEN-FRIED TURKEY DRUMMETTES recipe cause not only is it a great source of protein for my family but it a great deal and sounds yummy!!