Southwest Turkey and Pico de Gallo Salad

This fast and easy Southwest Turkey and Pico de Gallo Salad Recipe combines succulent ground turkey and fresh pico de gallo with our Southwest Chopped Salad Kit. You’ll have a satisfying meal that’s overflowing with bold and zesty flavors—just like the Southwest itself.

The base is our Southwest Chopped Salad Kit, which tips its wide-brimmed hat to its namesake region with a hefty mix of green cabbage, romaine, carrots, green onions, cilantro, and our creamy cilantro dressing. Roasted pumpkin seeds and tortilla strips give it a nice boost of crunchy texture. Add to that seasoned ground turkey and a bit of additional Mexican-inspired flair, and you have a hearty Southwestern meal straight out of the American desertlands.

Ingredients

1 package Southwest Chopped Kit
1 lb Ground Turkey
¼ cup Pico de Gallo Salsa

Directions

On a skillet, add ground turkey and season to taste, we recommend using onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Cook until the meat is brown and continue breaking it up as it cooks fully.
Assemble your Chopped Kit, with dressing and toppings. Top with the ground turkey and Pico de Gallo!

¡Viva las Pepitas!

The Southwest Chopped Salad Kit used in this recipe comes with a delightful portion of roasted pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas. This beloved seed is underappreciated in more ways than one. For instance, did you know pepitas are packed with valuable nutrients and have numerous health benefits?

Here are just a few tidbits about the power of pepitas:

Nutrient-Rich: Pepitas are a great source of healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants. They’re also rich in magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper.
Heart Health: Speaking of nutrients, the antioxidants and fatty acids in pumpkin seeds may benefit your heart health. They’re a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are linked to improved heart and bone health.
Blood Sugar: Pumpkin seeds are high in dietary fiber which can help regulate your blood sugar levels, making them a great choice for people with diabetes.
Sleep Aid: Pumpkin seeds are a natural source of tryptophan, an amino acid that can help promote sleep. They’re also high in magnesium, which is known to support good sleep.
Bone Health: One more benefit about the magnesium content. Magnesium is also essential for other physiological functions, including the creation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the energy molecules of your body), the synthesis of RNA and DNA, and the maintenance and repair of bones.

What Else Can I Do with Pepitas?

Try sprinkling them onto soup or veggie pizza for some added contrast in textures. They can also be mixed into granola or trail mix, incorporated into homemade bread or muffins for extra flavor, or used as a topping for oatmeal or yogurt. And did you know ground pumpkin seeds can be used in pesto as a substitute for pine nuts? Give it a try and see what you think!