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Turkey Ranch Chopped Salad Bowl

A fresh and filling chopped salad featuring leftover turkey, crisp romaine lettuce, and creamy ranch dressing, perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 1500

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 2 cups diced cooked leftover turkey Ensure it's moist and well seasoned.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 1 cup diced cucumber
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrot
  • 1/2 cup canned corn kernels, drained
  • 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips or croutons, for topping Add just before serving.
Ranch Dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp sour cream Can substitute with Greek yogurt.
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried dill
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

Cooking the Bacon
  1. Place the bacon in a skillet over medium heat and cook it for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping now and then, until it is deeply crisp.
  2. Transfer the cooked bacon to paper towels to drain. Once it cools, crumble it into small pieces and set it aside.
Mixing the Ranch Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, sour cream, chives, garlic powder, dried dill, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dressing for at least 10 minutes to help blend the flavors.
Preparing the Salad Base
  1. Finely chop the romaine lettuce and place it in a large serving bowl. Alternatively, divide the lettuce among four individual bowls.
  2. Make sure the base is even so the toppings sit nicely on top.
Arranging the Toppings
  1. Layer the diced turkey, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, shredded carrot, corn, black beans, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and sliced red onion over the lettuce.
  2. Arrange them in rows for a chopped-salad look, or place them in clusters for a more casual style.
Adding Dressing and Crunch
  1. Drizzle the ranch dressing over the salad, or set it on the side if you prefer everyone to dress their own portion.
  2. Just before serving, scatter the crushed tortilla chips or croutons over the top.
  3. Toss gently at the table if you like, so every bite gets a little of everything.
Storing Leftovers
  1. Store the dressing separately from the salad components in airtight containers.
  2. Keep the undressed salad in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, and add the crunchy topping only when ready to eat.

Notes

For best texture, do not add crunchy toppings too early. Let bacon and turkey cool slightly before assembling.