Are you ready to elevate your pasta salad game? Dive into the delightful world of our Turkey Sour Cherry Almond Pasta Salad, where savory meets sweet in a harmonious blend that will tantalize your taste buds! This dish not only showcases the comforting flavors of American cuisine but also brings a unique twist with the tartness of sour cherries and the crunch of slivered almonds. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is a must-try that promises to impress your family and friends. Don't miss out on discovering how to create this scrumptious salad in just 35 minutes—your new favorite dish awaits!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (fusilli or rotini)
- 1 cup cooked turkey, diced
- 1/2 cup sour cherries, pitted
- 1/3 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients to ensure you have everything ready for the recipe. This includes 8 oz of pasta (fusilli or rotini), 1 cup of cooked turkey (diced), 1/2 cup of pitted sour cherries, 1/3 cup of slivered almonds, 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion, 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Dice the cooked turkey into bite-sized pieces if not already done. Finely chop the red onion and set it aside. Measure out the sour cherries and slivered almonds.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. Mix well until smooth. This will serve as your dressing for the pasta salad.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Allow it to drain thoroughly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced turkey, sour cherries, slivered almonds, and chopped red onion. Gently toss the ingredients together to combine evenly.
- Pour the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard mixture over the pasta salad. Gently fold the dressing into the pasta salad until everything is well-coated. Be careful not to break the pasta or cherries.
- Season the pasta salad with salt and pepper to taste. Mix again to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir and taste for seasoning, adjusting with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with additional slivered almonds if desired.
Tips
- Choose the Right Pasta: Fusilli or rotini are ideal for this salad as their shapes hold onto the dressing and ingredients beautifully, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
- Prep Ahead: To save time, you can cook the pasta and chop your ingredients a day in advance. Just store them separately in the fridge until you're ready to mix everything together.
- Balance the Flavors: If you prefer a sweeter salad, consider adding a drizzle of honey to the dressing. Conversely, a splash of vinegar can enhance the tartness of the sour cherries.
- Chill for Best Results: Allowing the pasta salad to chill for at least 15 minutes before serving helps the flavors meld together, creating a more delicious dish.
- Garnish Wisely: For an extra touch of elegance, garnish your salad with additional slivered almonds or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro before serving.
- Experiment with Ingredients: Feel free to customize the salad by adding other ingredients such as diced celery for crunch or crumbled feta cheese for a creamy texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 35mg
