Cozy Comfort: Hearty Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe For Chilly Days

When comfort calls on a chilly evening, this leftover turkey soup swirls with rich, warming flavors that dance across your palate.

Cold winter nights beg for a steaming bowl of hearty goodness packed with tender turkey and colorful vegetables.

Salvaging holiday leftovers has never tasted so delicious and satisfying.

Each spoonful carries memories of festive meals while creating new culinary moments.

Chunks of savory turkey mingle with robust vegetables and a silky broth that warms you from the inside out.

Nutritious and easy to prepare, this soup transforms simple ingredients into a remarkable meal.

Grab a ladle and let the deliciousness begin!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need for Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

• Onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic foundation that builds deep flavor layers in the soup.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color while boosting nutritional value.
• Celery: Introduces a subtle, fresh crunch and traditional soup base flavor.
• Potato: Offers hearty texture and helps thicken the soup's consistency.

• Garlic: Delivers robust, warming taste that elevates the entire soup profile.
• Dried Thyme, Rosemary: Contribute earthy, woodsy herbs that complement turkey beautifully.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and highlight other ingredients.
• Bay Leaf: Infuses subtle complexity and depth into the broth.

• Leftover Turkey: Transforms kitchen remnants into a delicious, resourceful meal.
• Frozen Peas: Provides bright green color and sweet, tender bursts of freshness.
• Turkey Broth: Creates a rich, comforting liquid base with deep poultry flavor.
• Noodles/Rice: Optional hearty additions that make the soup more substantial and satisfying.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and prevents sticking while adding smooth undertones.

Gear to Build Leftover Turkey Soup Fast

• Large Pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering the soup, with plenty of space to mix ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables and shredding turkey safely and efficiently.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for dicing onions, carrots, celery, and preparing turkey with precision.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking without scratching the pot.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps add the right amount of herbs, salt, and pepper for balanced flavor.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving the soup evenly into bowls without spilling.

Stir, Simmer, and Serve Leftover Turkey Soup

• Chop and Prep Veggies and Turkey

Grab your cutting board and knife to dice up vegetables and shred leftover turkey meat into bite-sized pieces.

• Sizzle Vegetables

Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in onions, carrots, celery, and potato. Cook until they start getting soft and fragrant.

• Boost Flavor with Herbs

Sprinkle in garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir quickly to release the aromatic herbs’.

• Build the Soup Base

Pour turkey broth into the pot and drop in a bay leaf. Bring to a rolling boil, then lower heat and let everything simmer until vegetables turn tender.

• Add Protein and Grains

Slide in the shredded turkey and your choice of noodles or rice. Allow everything to mingle and heat through until grains are perfectly cooked.

• Final Touch and Seasoning

Fold in frozen peas and give a quick taste. Adjust seasonings to make the soup sing with flavor.

• Dish and Devour

Fish out the bay leaf, ladle into bowls, and serve with crusty bread for a comforting meal that transforms leftovers into something spectacular.

Ways to Refresh the Flavor in Leftover Turkey Soup

• Chop all vegetables in advance and store in airtight containers to save time when making this comforting soup.
• Replace turkey broth with vegetable or chicken broth for a lighter version that works for different dietary needs.
• Swap traditional noodles with gluten-free pasta or use quinoa instead to make the soup safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a little extra kick in their soup, transforming the classic recipe into a zesty meal.

Bowl and Garnish Ideas for Serving Turkey Soup

• Cozy Comfort Companion: Serve the soup with a slice of warm, buttered sourdough bread for a perfect dunking experience.
• Herbal Freshness Boost: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top just before serving to add a bright, zesty flavor and beautiful green color.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the soup with a handful of crispy bacon bits or shredded rotisserie chicken for extra protein and crunch.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Grate some sharp cheddar or parmesan cheese over the hot soup to create a rich, melty layer that adds depth and creaminess.

Storage Tips to Keep Leftover Turkey Soup Ready

• Use airtight containers to keep soup fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, preventing flavor loss and maintaining quality.
• Let soup cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for quick future meals.
• Warm soup slowly on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth if soup appears too thick during reheating.
• Divide soup into individual serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners. Label containers with date and contents for organized meal planning.

FAQs

• Is this soup healthy?

This turkey soup is nutritious, packed with lean protein from the turkey, and loaded with vegetables like carrots, celery, and peas, providing essential vitamins and minerals.

• Can I make this soup with chicken instead of turkey?

Absolutely! You can easily substitute leftover chicken for turkey, and the recipe will work perfectly with the same ingredients and cooking method.

• Do I need fresh turkey for this recipe?

No, this is specifically a leftover turkey soup recipe, so using already cooked, shredded turkey from a previous meal is ideal and helps reduce food waste.

• What if I don't have fresh herbs?

Dried herbs work great in this recipe. If you’re missing a specific herb like thyme or rosemary, you can substitute or simply use what you have on hand without compromising the soup’s flavor.

Hearty Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty leftover turkey soup combines shredded meat, vegetables, and rich broth for a comforting post-holiday meal. Nourishing ingredients simmer together, creating a warm and satisfying dish that helps you make the most of holiday leftovers.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (1.4 l) turkey or chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
• 1 cup potatoes, diced (or substitute with cooked rice or pasta)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley (or 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped)
• ½ tsp 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. Preparation: Uniformly dice turkey and vegetables to ensure consistent cooking and texture throughout the soup.
2. Aromatics Foundation: Sauté onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes in olive oil over medium heat, developing a rich flavor base for the soup.
3. Herb Infusion: Blend minced garlic, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper into the vegetable mixture, allowing herbs to release their aromatic essence.
4. Liquid Integration: Pour turkey broth into the pot, add bay leaf, and bring to a gentle boil before reducing to a delicate simmer.
5. Vegetable Transformation: Simmer the broth and vegetables for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and vegetables to become perfectly tender.
6. Protein and Starch Incorporation: Fold shredded turkey and chosen starch (noodles or rice) into the simmering liquid, ensuring even distribution and thorough heating.
7. Final Flourish: Add frozen peas in the last moments of cooking, introducing a vibrant pop of color and fresh flavor to the hearty soup.
8. Flavor Calibration: Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and herbs to achieve a perfectly balanced and nuanced taste profile.
9. Serving Finale: Remove bay leaf, ladle the steaming soup into bowls, and serve alongside crusty bread or crackers for a comforting meal.

Notes

• Uniform Chopping: Cut ingredients into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Layered Flavor Building: Sauté vegetables in olive oil first to develop a rich, deep flavor base before adding liquids and remaining ingredients.
• Herb Infusion Technique: Crush dried herbs between your fingers before adding to release maximum aromatic oils and enhance overall soup flavor profile.
• Smart Leftover Management: Use cold, previously cooked turkey for best texture and prevent overcooking, which can make meat tough and dry.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg