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The Best Homemade Turkey Soup Recipe Using Leftovers

A close-up of a white bowl filled with homemade turkey soup, featuring shredded turkey, egg noodles, carrots, and celery.
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Create a deeply flavorful, hearty, and comforting turkey soup using leftover roast turkey or a whole carcass. This simple, one-pot method transforms holiday remnants into a satisfying meal perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups turkey broth (or chicken broth if turkey broth is unavailable)
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded turkey meat (leftover Thanksgiving turkey works well)
  • 1 cup egg noodles or rice
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the turkey broth. Add the dried thyme, bay leaf, and dried rosemary. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the vegetables to become tender and the flavors to meld. This step builds a savory turkey broth base.
  5. Stir in the shredded turkey meat and the egg noodles or rice. Increase the heat slightly and cook according to the noodle or rice package directions, usually 8 to 10 minutes, until they are fully cooked.
  6. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Ladle the hearty turkey soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with fresh chopped parsley before you serve it.

Notes

  • For the deepest flavor, simmer the broth with the turkey carcass for 1 to 2 hours before removing the carcass and proceeding with the vegetable steps.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Stir constantly until the soup thickens slightly.
  • This recipe freezes well. Cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Omit noodles if freezing, and add them fresh when reheating.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/best-homemade-turkey-soup-recipe-leftovers/