These turkey bites are a refreshing and light appetizer, perfect for any party platter. The crunch of fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, combined with the smoky turkey, offers a perfect balance of flavors that will have your guests coming back for more.
This turkey bites recipe is a game-changer for your party menu. These customizable, bite-sized treats are not only delicious but also look great on a platter, making them the perfect appetizer for any gathering.
If you're a fan of these turkey bites, you'll also love my carrot bites, taco bites, and cucumber bites recipes. All of these make for tasty, easy-to-eat appetizers that will definitely impress your guests.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is a cinch to prepare. With just a few simple steps, you'll have a delicious appetizer ready in no time.
- Classic Flavors: These turkey bites showcase classic flavor combinations that are sure to please everyone. The smoked turkey, fresh cucumbers, and tangy tomatoes are always a hit.
- Party Hit: Whether you're hosting a party or attending a potluck, these turkey bites will be the talk of the event. They're not only delicious but also incredibly cute and bite-sized.
- Comfort Food: Despite their elegant appearance, these turkey bites are pure comfort food. The combination of bread, turkey, and veggies is satisfying and oh-so-comforting.
Key Ingredients
All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this turkey bites recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:
- Smoked Turkey Breast: This is the star of our turkey bites. The smoky flavor adds a depth to our canapes that's simply irresistible.
- Mini Cucumbers and Cherry Tomatoes: These fresh veggies add a nice crunch and a pop of color to our turkey bites, making them even more appealing.
- Mayonnaise: It brings a creamy, tangy element to our bites, balancing out the other flavors perfectly.
- Bread: This is the base of our turkey bites. It provides a nice, hearty texture that contrasts beautifully with the other, softer ingredients.
For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.
How to Make Turkey Bites
Making these incredible turkey bites is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:
Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and slice the tomatoes and cucumbers. These will be the toppings for our canapés, and the fresh, crisp texture contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients.
Arrange the Bread: Place the bread on a serving plate. This will be the base of our turkey bites.
Spread the Mayonnaise: Spread one teaspoon of mayonnaise on each slice of bread. This will add a creamy, tangy flavor to the canapés.
Add the Turkey: Place a piece of folded smoked turkey on top of the mayonnaise. This will be the main protein of our turkey bites and will add a delicious smoky flavor.
Add the Vegetables: Top each canapé with a slice of tomato and cucumber. The tomato will add a juicy sweetness, while the cucumber will add a refreshing crunch.
Serve: Arrange the turkey bites on a platter and serve. Enjoy these bite-sized, party-friendly treats!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Tips for Making the Best Turkey Bites
- Choose Quality Turkey: For this turkey bites recipe, opt for high-quality smoked turkey breast. The flavor of the turkey will significantly impact the overall tastiness of your bites.
- Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh cherry tomatoes and mini cucumbers. fresh ingredients guarantee a crisp and delicious bite.
- Proper Assembly: When assembling your turkey bites, place the bread on the serving plate first, then spread a teaspoon of mayonnaise on each slice of bread. This will prevent the bread from getting soggy.
- Balance the Flavors: For a perfect balance of flavors, make sure to top your canapés with both sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. The crunchiness of the vegetables compliments the smokiness of the turkey.
- Enjoy Immediately: These turkey bites are best enjoyed fresh. However, if you're preparing them in advance, store the components separately and assemble just before serving for the best results.
Serving Suggestions
Planning a party and wondering what to serve alongside these delicious turkey bites? Try these serving suggestions:
- Other Appetizers: Pair these turkey bites with a selection of other appetizers, such as cucumber bites or mini tacos. The variety will please your guests' palates and make your spread look more appealing.
- Assorted Sauces: Offer a selection of sauces for dipping. Barbecue, honey mustard, and garlic aioli are all great choices. The sauces add an extra layer of flavor that compliments the smoky turkey.
- Crudité Platter: For a lighter option, serve these turkey bites with a colorful crudité platter. The fresh, crisp vegetables will cleanse the palate between bites, making the turkey bites even more enjoyable.
Recipe Variation Ideas
This delicious turkey bites recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:
- Spicier: If you're a fan of heat, this variation is perfect for you. Simply add a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to the mayonnaise. This will give your turkey bites a spicy twist that contrasts beautifully with the smoky turkey flavor.
- Vegetarian: For a vegetarian twist, substitute the smoked turkey breast with a vegetarian deli slice. You can also add some grilled or roasted vegetables for extra flavor. This variation is a great option for vegetarian guests or for a meatless Monday snack.
- Other Veggies: While the recipe calls for cherry tomatoes and mini cucumbers, feel free to experiment with other vegetables. Sliced bell peppers, radishes, or even pickled vegetables can add a unique twist to the flavor and texture of these turkey bites.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, a soft and slightly sweet bread works best. You can use white or whole wheat bread, but make sure it's fresh for the best flavor.
Absolutely! You can substitute the smoked turkey breast with ham, roast beef, or even a vegetarian alternative for a different flavor profile.
For the best presentation, slice the cherry tomatoes in thin rounds and the mini cucumbers in thin, diagonal slices. This will make your turkey bites look visually appealing.
Absolutely! Feel free to add a sprinkle of black pepper, a leaf of fresh basil, or a slice of cheese for an extra flavor boost.
There's no specific way to fold the smoked turkey, but make sure it's neatly folded to fit on the bread. This helps in easy eating and keeps the toppings in place.
To cater for a larger group, simply double or triple the recipe. You can also prepare the components in advance and assemble the turkey bites just before serving.
How to Store Leftovers
- Storing: If you have any leftover turkey bites, you can store them in an airtight sealed container in the refrigerator. The components can also be stored separately: bread in a sealed bag, and sliced turkey, tomatoes, and cucumber in separate airtight sealed containers.
- Freezing: Unfortunately, this recipe is not suitable for freezing. The texture of the vegetables and bread can become mushy when thawing, so it's best to enjoy these turkey bites fresh or within a few days of refrigerating.
- Thaw: Since freezing is not recommended, there's no need to worry about thawing these turkey bites. Simply enjoy them fresh or from the refrigerator.
Similar Recipes You'll Love
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- The Best Turkey Pinwheels (Easy Recipe Ready in 20 Minutes!)
- Turkey Croissant Sandwich (Classic Party Sandwich Idea!)
See all appetizers.
Recipe Card
Turkey Bites Recipe (Easy to Make Appetizer)
Ingredients
For the Turkey Bites Appetizers
- ½ lb. - mesquite smoked turkey breast
- 6 - cucumbers or half English cucumber
- 6 - small tomatoes
- 1 ½ cup - homemade mayonnaise (my preference)
- 1 loaf - homemade French bread
Instructions
How to Make Turkey Bites
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and slice the tomatoes and cucumbers. These will be the topping for our canapés, and the fresh, crisp texture contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients.
- Arrange the Bread: Place the bread on a serving plate. This will be the base of our turkey bites.
- Spread the Mayonnaise: Spread one teaspoon of mayonnaise on each slice of bread. This will add a creamy, tangy flavor to the canapés.
- Add the Turkey: Place a piece of folded smoked turkey on top of the mayonnaise. This will be the main protein of our turkey bites and will add a delicious smoky flavor.
- Add the Vegetables: Top each canapé with a slice of tomato and cucumber. The tomato will add a juicy sweetness, while the cucumber will add a refreshing crunch.
- Serve: Arrange the turkey bites on a platter and serve. Enjoy these bite-sized, party-friendly treats!
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This recipe was originally posted on March 15, 2015 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
So easy and quick to do. Definitely perfect for any Party! Pinned it.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
You are right! They are perfect for parties. Thanks Ilona for pinning 🙂
Katy @ Her Cup of Joy says
Such a simple but delicious quick recipe. I love how many appetizer "sandwich" recipes you have. Next time I have company over I'll be sure to check out some of your recipes.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thank you Katy! They taste much better than they look, and they are very easy to make. 🙂