Cozy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe: Hearty Winter Comfort

When comfort meets creativity, this leftover turkey soup emerges as a culinary champion of delicious resourcefulness.

Cold days demand warm solutions that transform yesterday’s roasted bird into liquid gold.

Shredded meat finds new life swimming alongside tender vegetables in a rich, aromatic broth.

Pantry staples become your secret weapons for crafting a soul-warming meal.

Each spoonful carries memories of past celebrations while promising fresh deliciousness.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

You’ll want to ladle this magical concoction into deep bowls and savor every comforting moment.

Grab a spoon and let the magic begin.

Go-To Sides for Turkey Soup

• Crusty sourdough or hearty whole wheat bread perfectly complements the soup's rich, comforting flavors. Each slice soaks up the delicious broth and provides a satisfying crunch.
• Serve alongside a mug of herbal chamomile tea or a light-bodied Chardonnay to enhance the soup's subtle herbs and hearty turkey essence. The drink's warmth mirrors the soup's cozy character.
• Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top to add brightness and a pop of color. These green accents lift the soup's earthy undertones and provide a fresh, zesty finish.
• Add crispy croutons or toasted pumpkin seeds as a garnish to introduce a delightful crunch against the soup's soft, tender ingredients. This unexpected texture makes each spoonful more interesting.

Fun Soup Changes for Leftover Turkey Soup

• Low-Carb Turkey Soup: Replace potatoes and noodles with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower-carbohydrate version that maintains the same comforting flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Herb Option: Swap out any dairy-based ingredients with coconut milk or additional broth to create an allergen-friendly soup that's creamy and satisfying.
• Gluten-Free Turkey Soup: Use gluten-free rice noodles or quinoa instead of traditional wheat noodles, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this hearty meal.
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Substitute turkey with white beans or tofu, and use vegetable broth to transform this recipe into a plant-based soup with similar nutritional value and rich taste.

Reasons to Keep Leftover Turkey Soup on Repeat

• Transform yesterday's turkey into a comforting, nutritious meal that prevents food waste and saves money.
• Prepare this hearty soup in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families seeking quick, satisfying dinners.
• Swap ingredients like noodles or rice, add different vegetables, or adjust herbs to match your pantry and taste preferences.
• Packed with protein from turkey, vitamins from vegetables, and warming herbs, this soup delivers a healthy, healing meal in one pot.

Ingredients Breakdown for Turkey Soup

• Leftover Turkey: Classic way to repurpose holiday or roasted turkey meat, perfect for adding hearty protein to the soup.
• Turkey Broth: Rich base that provides deep flavor and extra turkey essence to the soup.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup mirepoix blend that creates a flavorful and nutritious foundation.
• Potato: Optional ingredient that adds thickness and extra heartiness to the soup.
• Garlic: Aromatic that provides a warm, deep flavor to the overall dish.
• Frozen Peas: Bright green vegetable that adds color, sweetness, and extra nutrition.

• Dried Thyme, Rosemary: Classic herb combination that complements poultry and adds earthy undertones.
• Bay Leaf: Subtle herb that infuses complex background flavor during simmering.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste profile.

• Noodles or Rice: Starch component that transforms soup into a more substantial meal, can be interchanged based on preference.

Turkey Soup Directions

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Space

Heat a large pot over medium flame. Drizzle olive oil to coat the bottom, creating a perfect cooking environment.

Step 2: Sauté Veggie Medley

• Chopped onions
• Diced carrots
• Sliced celery
• Cubed potatoes (optional)

Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables become tender and slightly golden.

Step 3: Boost the Flavor Profile

• Minced garlic
• Dried thyme
• Rosemary
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir quickly to wake up the aromatics and let them dance for about one minute.

Step 4: Liquid Magic

Pour turkey broth into the pot. Drop in a bay leaf for extra depth. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble softly for 15-20 minutes until vegetables become fork-tender.

Step 5: Turkey and Carb Reunion

• Shredded turkey
• Egg noodles or rice (optional)

Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing everything to meld together beautifully.

Step 6: Final Flourish

Add frozen peas and cook for 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.

Step 7: Serve with Love

Fish out the bay leaf. Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Pair with crusty bread or crispy crackers for a comforting meal that brings leftovers back to life.

Advice for Getting the Most Out of Leftovers

• Maximize Turkey Flavor: Use homemade turkey broth for deeper, richer taste compared to store-bought options, enhancing the overall soup's complexity.
• Vegetable Variation: Swap or add seasonal vegetables like parsnips or butternut squash to create unique flavor profiles and boost nutritional value.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace traditional noodles with gluten-free alternatives like rice noodles or quinoa to make the soup suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
• Meal Prep Magic: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, or freeze portions for convenient future meals that maintain excellent texture and taste.
• Quick Protein Boost: Sprinkle shredded parmesan or add a dollop of Greek yogurt on top to increase protein content and create a creamy, luxurious finish.

Soup Storage Without the Hassle

• Store leftover turkey soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days maximum.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and freeze up to 3 months for best quality.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming and reaching 165°F internal temperature.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Check temperature before serving to prevent hot spots.

Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty leftover turkey soup warms hearts with rich, comforting flavors from holiday remnants. Simmering broth packed with tender meat, vegetables, and herbs delivers a satisfying meal that connects family memories with delicious nourishment you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
• 6 cups turkey or chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 cup potatoes, diced (or substitute with cooked rice or pasta)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings and Optional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped)
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup frozen peas or corn (optional, added near the end of cooking)

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Instructions

1. Chop and prepare turkey and vegetables into uniform pieces, ensuring easy cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
2. Heat olive oil in a robust pot over medium flame, introducing onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes to create a flavorful aromatic base.
3. Incorporate minced garlic, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, allowing the herbs to release their fragrant essence and infuse the vegetables with depth.
4. Pour turkey broth into the vegetable mixture, adding bay leaf and bringing the liquid to a gentle boil before reducing to a slow simmer.
5. Allow the broth and vegetables to meld together, cooking approximately 15-20 minutes until vegetables reach a tender consistency and flavors intensify.
6. Gently fold shredded turkey and selected starch (noodles or rice) into the simmering liquid, ensuring even distribution and gentle heating.
7. Introduce frozen peas during the final cooking stage, providing a burst of color and fresh flavor to the hearty soup.
8. Taste and calibrate seasoning, adjusting salt, pepper, and herbs to create a perfectly balanced soup profile.
9. Discard bay leaf, ladle soup into warming bowls, and complement with crusty bread or crackers for a satisfying meal.

Notes

• Select bone-in turkey for deeper, richer flavor profile that enhances the overall soup’s taste complexity.
• Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Swap noodles with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb, gluten-free alternative that maintains hearty satisfaction.
• Save vegetable scraps and turkey bones to create homemade stock, intensifying the soup’s depth and reducing food waste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg