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Ingredients
How to Make a Crispy Rice Salad with Crispy Turkey
Tips/Variations
How to Store

Easy Crispy Rice Salad with Buffalo Ranch Turkey

Crispy rice had a moment on Instagram and TikTok, showing up in everything from salads and grain bowls to salmon sushi bake recipes. It’s such a fun way to add flavor and texture to any recipe, so I totally get the hype!

I’m so glad crispy rice is having a moment because I absolutely LOVE it in this salad! It’s soooooo goooood. The combo of crispy, golden rice, savory buffalo-seasoned turkey, and a creamy ranch dressing is honestly hard to beat. It’s bold, a little spicy, super fresh, and super filling. It’s one of those meals that feels fun and a little different but is still simple enough to make on a busy weeknight. If you’ve been looking for a new way to upgrade your salad game, this is it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

46 Protein + 8 Fiber – Made with lean ground turkey, black beans, and Greek yogurt dressing, this salad is high protein and so good.
Crispy Buffalo Ranch Goodness – You get the BEST combo of crispy rice, savory buffalo turkey, creamy ranch dressing, and fresh, crunchy veggies in every bite. It’s bold, savory, a little spicy, and completely addicting.
Meal Prep Friendly – You can easily prep all the components ahead of time and quickly assemble the salad when ready to eat. It’s perfect for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Customizable – Adjust the spice level, swap the protein, or use whatever veggies you have on hand. You can easily make it your own depending on what you’re craving!

Angled image of Ranch turkey salad in a bowl.

Ingredients

Crispy Rice – Use leftover, cold, cooked rice, like Instant Pot brown rice or even microwave rice pouches. Then, season it with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. You could even use cooked quinoa here!
Buffalo Ranch Dressing – I skip store-bought options and combine Greek yogurt (4% is best!), lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, white vinegar, buffalo sauce (or hot sauce), and ranch seasoning. The ranch seasoning is optional, but it adds such amazing flavor!
Crispy Turkey – Cook lean ground turkey with olive oil, and season it with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a little buffalo ranch sauce.
Veggies – Frozen corn, chopped lettuce (I like Romaine!), cherry tomatoes, and red onion form the base of the salad.
Shredded Cheese – I prefer cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese for a little extra spice, but any type of cheese will work. Dairy-free cheese works great, too!
Black Beans – I use canned black beans to keep things super easy, but you can use cooked beans if you have them on hand! Just be sure to drain them beforehand. I also love red kidney beans in this salad!
Avocado – This adds a satisfying creamy consistency along with a boost of healthy fats.
Pickled Jalapeño – These are optional, but they add a kick of spice I love.

How to Make a Crispy Rice Salad Recipe with Crispy Turkey

This recipe comes together so easily! Use a large baking sheet to crisp the rice. Then, whisk the dressing in a bowl, cook the corn and protein in a large skillet, and combine everything in a large bowl. Here’s how to make a Buffalo Ranch Turkey Crispy Rice Salad:

Prepare the rice – Add cold rice to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and toss it with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. Spread the seasoned rice in a thin layer, and bake until crispy, tossing halfway through.
Prepare the buffalo ranch – While the rice bakes, whisk the buffalo ranch ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
Sauté – Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, and sauté the corn just until it’s thawed and begins to brown slightly. I typically do this in a dry skillet, but you can add a spray of oil if needed.
Brown the turkey – Next, add olive oil to the skillet. Then, add the ground turkey and seasonings, and cook until the turkey is no longer pink, breaking it into pieces. Add a few tablespoons of buffalo ranch sauce at the very end of cooking, stirring to combine and coat the turkey.
Assemble the salads – Chop and combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Then, add the turkey, rice, a drizzle of buffalo ranch sauce, and all your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Tips

Use cold, day-old rice. Similar to homemade chicken fried rice, cold rice works best because it’s drier, which helps it crisp up in the oven instead of steaming. Fresh rice can turn soft instead of crispy.
Spread the rice thinly. Make sure the rice is in an even, thin layer on the baking sheet. Overlapping or crowding will prevent it from becoming golden and crisp.
Don’t skip tossing the rice. Gently stir the rice halfway through baking to ensure it crisps evenly on all sides.
Let the rice cool slightly. Give the rice a few minutes to cool before adding it to the salad. This helps it stay crispy and prevents the lettuce from wilting.
Adjust the kick! Start with less buffalo sauce and add more to taste.

RELATED: Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bowls

Variations

Swap the turkey for ground chicken. Cook it the same way, adjusting the time as needed.
Make it vegetarian. Skip the meat, and use extra black beans, chickpeas, or crispy tofu for a plant-based option that’s just as tasty.
Use different greens. Use chopped kale, spinach, or a spring mix instead of romaine for a slightly different texture and flavor.
Add more veggies. Bulk up your crispy rice salad with diced bell peppers, cucumbers, shredded carrots, or even roasted sweet potatoes. It’s a great way to use up leftovers!
Give it more heat! Add extra buffalo sauce, fresh jalapeños, or a drizzle of hot honey for a sweet and spicy twist.
Swap the cheese. Try blue cheese for a classic buffalo pairing, or use mozzarella or a dairy-free option if needed.
Replace the rice. Use quinoa or farro for a different texture and added nutrients.
Add extra crunch. Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips or crispy onions on top right before serving for even more flavor and texture.
Simplify the dressing. If you have leftover healthy ranch dressing on hand, you can simply combine it with buffalo sauce or hot sauce for a quick sauce. Or even just buy buffalo ranch dressing from the store!

How to Store

I don’t recommend storing this crispy rice salad recipe once assembled, as the greens will become soggy. However, you can easily prep the different components in advance!

Store leftover cooked and cooled turkey and rice in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The buffalo ranch dressing will keep fresh in a third container for up to 1 week. You can also prep the veggies 1-2 days in advance, storing them in their own container as well.

When you’re ready to eat, warm the turkey and rice in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave. Then, give the dressing a quick stir or shake, and assemble all the ingredients just before serving.

More Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes

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Buffalo Ranch Turkey Crispy Rice Salad

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