Amazing Leftover Turkey Soup: 1 Easy Recipe

Okay, so the big Thanksgiving feast is *over*, right? The plates are cleared, the stretchy pants are on, and you look at that glorious pile of leftover turkey and think, “What now?” Don’t even *think* about letting a single morsel go to waste! My grandma, bless her heart, would have a fit. She taught me the magic of turning humble leftovers into something new and exciting. So, for all of us who juggle life and still want delicious home-cooked meals, I’ve got a lifesaver: easy leftover turkey soup. It’s the ultimate comfort in a bowl, a total game-changer for those post-holiday days, and honestly, it smells just as amazing as the turkey did on Thanksgiving itself. Trust me on this one!

Why You’ll Love This Leftover Turkey Soup

Honestly, this soup is just pure comfort in a bowl, especially after a big holiday. Here’s why it’s going to be your new favorite way to handle those Thanksgiving leftovers:

• Super Easy & Quick: Seriously, it comes together fast. Perfect for when you’re kind of over cooking but still want something wholesome.
• Flavor Packed: Don’t let ‘easy’ fool you; this soup is packed with all those savory, comforting flavors you crave. It tastes like it simmered for hours!
• Waste Not, Want Not: This is the best way to use up every last bit of that beautiful turkey. Nothing goes to waste, and your wallet will thank you.
• A Thanksgiving Classic, Reimagined: It takes that beloved Thanksgiving flavor and turns it into a brand-new, satisfying meal your whole family will adore.

Gather Your Ingredients for Easy Leftover Turkey Soup

Alright, let’s get our ducks (or should I say, turkeys!) in a row! Having everything prepped makes this leftover turkey soup practically assemble itself. You’ll want to grab:

• 8 cups chicken or turkey broth: My go-to is always low-sodium so I can control the saltiness myself. A good quality broth just makes all the difference, making this turkey soup recipe easy to nail!
• 2 cups cooked turkey, all shredded up or diced into bite-sized pieces. Whatever you have left from the big day!
• 1 cup chopped carrots: About medium-sized pieces so they’re tender but still have a little bite.
• 1 cup chopped celery: Gotta have that classic savory flavor!
• 1 cup chopped onion: Yellow or white, both work great here.
• 1/2 cup egg noodles: These cook up nice and quickly, perfect for a speedy soup.
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme: It just screams comfort food.
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary: Adds a lovely aromatic touch.
• Salt and black pepper: To taste, of course! Every batch is a little different.
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley: Totally optional, but it adds a lovely pop of color and freshness right at the end.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now for the fun part – putting it all together! Learning how to make turkey soup really is as simple as this. It’s a forgiving recipe, so don’t sweat the small stuff. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a piping hot bowl of deliciousness in no time.

Sautéing the Aromatics

First things first, grab your biggest pot or a trusty Dutch oven. Toss in those chopped carrots, celery, and onion. Pour in that beautiful broth and bring it all up to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it’s bubbling like crazy, turn the heat down to low and let those veggies soften up for about 10 to 15 minutes. This is where all that yummy flavor starts building!

SAVE IT

Adding the Star: Cooked Turkey

Okay, time for the star of the show! Once your veggies are tender, it’s time to add in your shredded or diced cooked turkey. Remember, this turkey is already cooked, so it just needs to warm through in the flavorful broth. This is what makes this leftover turkey soup recipe so wonderfully quick!

Simmering to Perfection

Now, toss in those little egg noodles, dried thyme, and rosemary. Give it all a good stir. Let it all simmer together gently for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until those noodles are perfectly tender. You don’t want them mushy, just cooked through. If you happen to have any other leftover veggies like peas or some green beans hanging out in the fridge, now’s the perfect time to toss them in too! Just make sure they only need a few minutes to heat up. Once everything is tender and piping hot, season it with salt and pepper until it tastes just right to you. Don’t forget that fresh parsley if you’re using it – it makes everything look and taste so much brighter!

SAVE IT

Tips for the Best Leftover Turkey Soup

You know, making this soup is pretty foolproof, but a few little tricks from my kitchen can make it *extra* special. These are the things I always do or have learned along the way that really elevate this simple bowl of goodness.

First off, the broth! While store-bought is totally okay (and part of what makes it so easy!), using a good quality chicken or turkey stock makes a *huge* difference. If you’re feeling ambitious or happen to have some homemade stock from your turkey drippings, even better! I’ve even seen some folks use homemade chicken stock, which is fantastic too. You can find some great tips on making your own chicken stock if you’re curious; it adds a depth of flavor you just can’t beat.

My other big tip? Seasoning as you go! Taste, taste, taste. Don’t wait until the very end to add salt and pepper. A little bit early on, and then again right before serving, ensures every spoonful is perfectly balanced. And don’t be shy about those other veggies! Those leftover green beans, peas, or even some diced potatoes? They’re perfect additions tossed in during those last 10 minutes of simmering. It’s all about using what you have!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Turkey Soup

You know, the beauty of this turkey soup recipe easy to make is how flexible it is! It’s more of a guideline, really. If you don’t have exactly what’s listed, don’t you worry. For the noodles, if egg noodles aren’t your jam, go for small shell pasta, ditalini, or even broken-up pieces of spaghetti. Just make sure they cook up relatively quickly so they don’t get mushy.

Herbs are also super adaptable. If you’re out of thyme or rosemary, a good pinch of poultry seasoning works wonders. Or maybe some sage? That’s a classic Thanksgiving flavor, for sure! And for the broth, if you happen to only have chicken broth on hand after the big meal, it’ll be absolutely delicious. The turkey is the star anyway, right?

Serving Suggestions for Your Thanksgiving Classic

So, you’ve got this amazing bowl of leftover turkey soup, right? Now, how do we make it a whole *meal*? Easy peasy! This hearty soup is practically a meal in itself, but I love pairing it with something simple and delicious to round things out.

Honestly, a big, crusty loaf of bread is my absolute favorite pairing. You know, the kind with a chewy inside and a perfectly crisp crust – perfect for dunking into that savory broth! Or, if you want to add a little fresh brightness, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is wonderful. For a super quick option, a handful of your favorite crackers or even some toasted sourdough bread also hits the spot. It’s a true Thanksgiving classic, reinvented!

SAVE IT

Storage and Reheating Leftover Turkey Soup

So, how do you keep this yummy soup around? Easy! First, let it cool down a bit so it’s not steaming hot. You can pop it straight into the fridge in airtight containers. It’ll stay good for about 3-4 days. If you want to save it for longer, freezing is your best bet! Ladle it into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little headspace for expansion. It’ll keep beautifully in the freezer for about 2-3 months.

When you’re ready to reheat, just thaw it overnight in the fridge first. Then, gently warm it up on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s piping hot all the way through. You can also pop individual portions in the microwave. Just be careful not to scorch the bottom!

SAVE IT

Frequently Asked Questions about Leftover Turkey Soup

Got questions? I’ve got answers! This turkey soup recipe easy to whip up is pretty straightforward, but sometimes a few things pop into our minds. Let’s clear them up!

Can I make this turkey soup recipe easy without noodles?

Oh, absolutely! If noodles aren’t your thing or you’re keeping it low-carb, just skip ’em. You can add extra veggies like potatoes, corn, or even some cooked rice or quinoa towards the end. Or, just enjoy it as a hearty broth loaded with turkey and veggies!

What’s the best way to shred or dice the turkey?

This is so simple! For shredding, use two forks – one to hold the piece of turkey and the other to pull the meat away in strands. It works like a charm! If you prefer diced, just use a sharp knife to cut the turkey meat into bite-sized cubes. Either way, make sure to get all those tasty little bits off the carcass too; they add tons of flavor!

Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? They can totally change depending on the exact ingredients you use, especially the type of broth and how much salt you add. But for about a 1.5 cup serving, you’re looking at roughly:

• Calories: 250
• Fat: 8g
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 20g

It’s a pretty satisfying bowl for what it is!

Share Your Leftover Turkey Soup Creation!

Alright, my friends, that’s pretty much it! I really hope you give this easy leftover turkey soup a try. It’s such a joy for me to share these recipes, and knowing you’re making them in your own kitchens makes my day. If you whip up a batch, I’d absolutely *love* to hear what you think! Drop a comment below, or even better, share a picture on Instagram and tag me! What are your favorite additions? Did you add other leftover veggies? Spill the beans – I love hearing your kitchen stories!

Easy Leftover Turkey Soup

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Transform your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers into a comforting and flavorful soup with this simple recipe. Perfect for a quick and delicious meal.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 45 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup egg noodles
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the broth, carrots, celery, and onion. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
3. Add the cooked turkey, egg noodles, thyme, and rosemary to the pot.
4. Continue to simmer for another 8-10 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked through.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Stir in fresh parsley, if using.
7. Serve hot.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, you can use homemade turkey stock.
• Add other leftover vegetables like peas or green beans during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• This soup is a great way to avoid food waste and create a satisfying meal.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1.5 cups
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg