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Fresh Summer Salad with Turkey Protein Swap

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A light, refreshing summer salad featuring lean turkey breast and crisp veggies, perfect for weight loss and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) cooked turkey breast, sliced or shredded
  • 4 cups (120 g) mixed salad greens (baby spinach, arugula, romaine)
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, sliced thin
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) red onion, thinly sliced and soaked in cold water
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced (optional)
  • 1/3 cup (50 g) feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tbsp fresh herbs (parsley and/or basil), chopped
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. If not using pre-cooked turkey, season 8 oz (225 g) turkey breast with salt and pepper. Grill or pan-sear over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly or shred.
  2. Wash and dry 4 cups (120 g) mixed salad greens thoroughly. Halve 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, slice 1 medium cucumber thinly, dice 1 small red bell pepper, and thinly slice 1/4 cup (40 g) red onion. Soak onion slices in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain well.
  3. Dice 1 ripe avocado just before assembling to prevent browning. Optionally sprinkle with lemon juice.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, and salt & pepper to taste. Adjust flavors as needed.
  5. In a large salad bowl, combine salad greens, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, avocado, and crumbled feta cheese. Add chopped herbs last.
  6. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently with salad tongs or spoons until evenly coated without bruising the greens.
  7. Serve immediately on chilled plates for best freshness.

Notes

Rest cooked turkey before slicing to keep it juicy. Soak red onion slices in cold water to mellow sharpness. Toss salad lightly to avoid bruising greens. Keep dressing separate if storing leftovers to prevent sogginess. Add avocado and dressing just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: summer salad, turkey salad, healthy salad, weight loss recipe, quick salad, protein salad, fresh salad

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/fresh-summer-salad-with-turkey-protein-swap-easy-healthy-recipe-for-weight-loss/