The Ultimate HEB Turkey Cranberry Salad Recipe

The HEB turkey cranberry salad is a beloved holiday classic This creamy, crunchy salad is a staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners across Texas With its mix of sweet dried cranberries, toasted nuts, tangy dressing, and shredded turkey meat, this salad has become a Lone Star state tradition.

As popular as this salad is the recipe has remained elusive. For years fans have tried to recreate the iconic HEB turkey cranberry salad at home, with mixed results. Some versions were too sweet, others too bland. But now, the secret is out! In this article, we will share the ultimate homemade HEB turkey cranberry salad recipe so you can enjoy this Texas treat anytime.

The History of HEB’s Famous Salad

HEB or H-E-B Grocery Company is a beloved Texas grocery store chain with over 350 locations across the state. Though it was founded in 1905, HEB began selling prepared holiday meals in the 1990s. One of its most popular offerings was the cranberry turkey salad, which became a signature holiday item.

Fans couldn’t get enough of the combination of seasoned shredded turkey, dried cranberries, celery, crunchy nuts, and creamy dressing. It was the perfect addition to any holiday spread. As the salad’s popularity grew, customers began requesting the secret recipe so they could enjoy this Lone Star treat year-round.

Gathering the Signature Ingredients

To recreate this Texas-sized salad at home, you need to gather some signature ingredients:

• Turkey: Pre-cooked, shredded turkey breast is key. Rotisserie or smoked turkey works well.

• Dried cranberries: Also called craisins, these add sweetness and tartness.

• Celery: Chopped celery provides fresh crunch.

• Onion: Finely diced white or red onion adds flavor.

• Walnuts: Toasted walnuts offer nutty crunch.

• Dressing: A combo of mayo, sour cream, and Dijon mustard replicates the creamy dressing.

Once you have these components, it’s easy to whip up a salad that rivals the HEB original.

The Secret Recipe Revealed

After years of speculation, food bloggers and redditors claiming to be former HEB employees have leaked the official-like recipe online. According to these reports, the signature HEB turkey cranberry salad contains:

Salad Ingredients:

• 3 cups shredded, pre-cooked turkey breast
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup chopped white or red onion

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

This simple salad comes together in just a few steps:

1. Toast the walnuts: Spread chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until fragrant. Let cool.

2. Make the dressing: Whisk together the mayo, sour cream, mustard, salt, and pepper.

3. Toss the salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded turkey, cranberries, celery, onion, and walnuts. Add the dressing and gently toss to coat.

4. Refrigerate: Cover the salad and chill for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld. Gently stir again before serving.

And that’s it! With this easy recipe, you can now recreate HEB’s famous turkey cranberry salad at home.

Tips for Making the Perfect HEB Turkey Cranberry Salad

Here are some helpful tips to take your homemade salad to the next level:

• Use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best flavor.

• Shred the turkey into bite-size pieces for an authentic texture.

• Toast the walnuts just until browned for crunchy nuts without bitterness.

• Add other crunchy veggies like diced apple or shredded Brussels sprouts.

• Play with different dressing flavors like honey mustard or balsamic vinaigrette.

• Skip drying out the cranberries by using fresh cranberries and chopping them.

• Mix up the nuts with pecans, sliced almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts.

• Make it a meal by serving it over lettuce or stuffing it in avocado halves.

With these simple tricks, you can reinvent HEB’s classic salad into your own unique creation.

Enjoy HEB’s Signature Salad Anytime

The HEB turkey cranberry salad has reached legendary status thanks to its addictive blend of flavors and textures. This recipe makes it easy to recreate the magic at home so you can enjoy a taste of Texas tradition anytime.

Whip up a batch for your next holiday meal, backyard BBQ, or even as a meal prep lunch. Let us know if you have any special tricks for taking this Lone Star salad to the next level! From Texans far and wide, thanks HEB for this signature holiday gift.