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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Preparation: Uniformly dice turkey and vegetables to ensure consistent cooking and texture throughout the soup.
- Aromatics Foundation: Sauté onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes in olive oil over medium heat, developing a rich flavor base for the soup.
- Herb Infusion: Blend minced garlic, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper into the vegetable mixture, allowing herbs to release their aromatic essence.
- Liquid Integration: Pour turkey broth into the pot, add bay leaf, and bring to a gentle boil before reducing to a delicate simmer.
- Vegetable Transformation: Simmer the broth and vegetables for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and vegetables to become perfectly tender.
- Protein and Starch Incorporation: Fold shredded turkey and chosen starch (noodles or rice) into the simmering liquid, ensuring even distribution and thorough heating.
- Final Flourish: Add frozen peas in the last moments of cooking, introducing a vibrant pop of color and fresh flavor to the hearty soup.
- Flavor Calibration: Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and herbs to achieve a perfectly balanced and nuanced taste profile.
- 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