Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Dinner

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 8 votes

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

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Last updated on January 26, 2024

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Easy Leftover Turkey Soup is warm and comforting. With tender turkey, loads of vegetables, and a great mix of savory seasonings, it’s the perfect way to feed the whole family during the busy holidays!

Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (2)

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients Needed:
  • How to Make Delicious Turkey Soup
  • Turkey Soup FAQs
  • Turkey Vegetable Soup Variations
  • Serving Suggestions
  • More Easy SoupRecipes to Try
  • Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

This homemade Turkey Soup recipe is the perfect answer to what feels like a mountain of leftover turkey meat after Thanksgiving!

It’s quick, easy, and perfect for the chilly time of year during the holidays.

This turkey soup recipe includes a variety of vegetables, making it as healthy as it is delicious.

It’s a broth-based soup, thickened with a roux for a filling and satisfying meal.

So if you roasted up a Dry Brine Turkey or took the easy way and cooked up this Crockpot Turkey, this is one of the best ways to use up those leftovers!

​If you need some other ways of using up leftover turkey, try myCreamy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie,One Pot Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe,Turkey Pot Pie, or thisBaked Tortellini with Turkey and Vegetables!

Ingredients Needed:

Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (3)
  • Oil:I like using canola oil, but olive oil or another kind of neutral-flavored oil will also work to sauté the vegetables.
  • Vegetables:I use a classic mirepoix of carrots, celery, and onion for a great flavor base.
  • Seasonings:salt, dried parsley, freshly minced garlic, dried thyme, paprika, and black pepper give an aromatic flavor to the soup.
  • Turkey Stock:make myhomemade turkey stockfor the best flavor (this is a great way to use that carcass!). You can use chicken stock, chicken broth, or vegetable broth instead if you prefer.
  • Potatoes:Yukon gold potatoes are my favorite for this soup, but Russet potatoes and Red potatoes would work well too.
  • Turkey:any kind of cooked turkey will work well, but this is the perfect recipe for using up all your leftover turkey from your Thanksgiving dinner! If you don’t have leftover turkey, you can easily use leftover Shredded Chicken instead.
  • Salted Butter:melted salted butter will be the base of your roux for a sauce to thicken the soup. Salted butter will enhance the flavor of the soup better than unsalted butter.
  • Flour:useall-purpose flour to make a roux with melted butter for thickening the soup.
  • Milk:any kind of milk will work well here to make your roux into a thick sauce. You can also use cream for a richer flavor.

How to Make Delicious Turkey Soup

This recipe is easy and so hearty! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.

  1. Sauté the vegetables: Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery just until beginning to soften.
  2. Add seasonings: Stir in the garlic, salt, parsley, thyme, pepper, and paprika and cook.
Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (4)
Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (5)
  1. Add stock: Add the stock and deglaze the pot.
  2. Stir in potatoes: Add the potatoes and simmer until the potatoes are tender.
Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (6)
Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (7)
  1. Make thickened milk: Make the roux, add the milk and thicken in the microwave (it’s easy to do!)
  2. Add turkey and thicken the soup: When the potatoes are tender, stir in the cooked turkey and the thickened milk. Serve.
Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (8)
Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (9)

Turkey Soup FAQs

Can I make Turkey Soup in the Instant Pot?

Yes! Making soup in the instant pot is a great way to speed it up for a busy weeknight dinner!
1. Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot and stir (if you prefer, you can also saute the vegetables briefly before adding the liquids).
2. Put the lid on, select pressure cook or manual, high, and set the cooking time for 3 minutes.
3. It will take about 15 minutes to come under pressure and begin counting down.
4. Once the cooking time is over, let the pressure release naturally for 7-10 minutes, then gradually open the valve to release the remaining pressure, and serve.

Can I make this Turkey Soup in the Slow Cooker?

Slow-cooking this soup works well too; simply throw it all in and cook on low!
1. Place everything into a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, or until the carrots are tender.

How do I store Turkey Soup?

Store this dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Allow it to cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge.

Can I freeze Turkey Soup?

Although you can freeze this soup safely, I don’t normally recommend it because the potatoes can take on a funny texture after being frozen. If you leave out the potatoes, or swap them for rice, you can easily freeze it for later.

Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (10)

Turkey Vegetable Soup Variations

  • Mix up the seasonings.Feel free to adjust the spices and seasonings according to your liking. Add a bay leaf or some fresh herbs to infuse even more flavor into the dish.
  • Use rice instead of potatoes.Swap the potatoes for ½ -¾ cup white rice or a hearty wild rice blend to make a turkey rice soup. If you use instant rice, you only need to add it to the pot for the last 5-10 minutes of cooking. If you’re using long-grain rice, you will likely want to add it at the beginning of the cooking time, and you may need to add additional liquid.
Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (11)

Serving Suggestions

This leftover Turkey Soup recipe is filling all on its own, but you can add some sides to make it a fuller meal if you like!

We love having homemade bread with all our meals. Try a butteryBrioche Bun,Homemade Crescent Rolls,No Knead Artisan Bread, or theseHomemade Breadsticks.

This meal would also work well withAir Fryer Broccoli,Green Beans with Bacon, or someRoasted Green Beanson the side for extra nutrition!

More Easy SoupRecipes to Try

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Roasted Red Pepper Soup

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Cabbage Roll Soup

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Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (16)

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Leftover Turkey Soup

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 8 votes

Easy Leftover Turkey Soup is warm and comforting. With tender turkey, loads of vegetables, and a great mix of savory seasonings, it's the perfect way to feed the whole family during the busy holidays!

Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (18)

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Main Course, Soup

Servings 4 servings

Calories 452cal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 large carrots (peeled and diced)
  • 2 ribs celery (finely chopped)
  • 1 medium onion (finely diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • 3 cups homemade turkey stock (you can substitute with chicken broth as well)
  • 1 ½ lbs Yukon gold potatoes (cut into 3/4" pieces)
  • 2 cups leftover cooked turkey (chopped)

Thickened Milk

  • ¼ cup salted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups milk (any kind)

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Add oil to a large dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add carrots, celery and onion and cook on medium heat, stirring often, until onions are translucent and vegetables are slightly softened.

  • Stir in garlic, salt, parsley, thyme, pepper and paprika and cook 1 minute.

  • Add stock and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to ensure any browned bits are removed.

  • Stir in potatoes. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, make your roux and thicken your milk. In a large glass bowl or measuring cup, melt the butter in the microwave on high, 30-45 seconds at a time.

  • Stir in the flour until completely absorbed.

  • Whisk in the milk until smooth, using a scraper to get into the edges of the cup and ensure all of the flour has been whisked into the milk.

  • Microwave on high in 45 second intervals, whisking each time, until thickened. 4 times at 45 seconds was perfect for me. Be sure to keep an eye on it in the microwave as it will bubble up — you need to use a bowl or cup with lots of room left at the top.

  • When potatoes are tender, stir in the cooked turkey and the thickened milk. Heat through, adjust seasonings to taste and serve.

Notes

Prep ahead:

This is a great soup to make ahead as it just gets better with time and the potatoes don’t get mushy. You can make ahead and refrigerate up to 4 days, but I do not recommend freezing as the dairy and the potatoes can have a funny texture after freezing.

Ingredients and Substitutions:

Vegetables: carrots, celery and onion form the flavor base for many soup recipes and I don’t recommend leaving them out. You can, however, add lots of vegetables in! Mushrooms, kale, spinach, peppers, green beans, frozen peas or corn — whatever you need to use up.

Homemade Turkey Stock (recipe here): this will have the best flavor and is perfect after a holiday meal. If you do not have homemade stock, you can substitute with homemade chicken stock or chicken broth.

Make it gluten free: using a roux to thicken milk to thicken soup is one of my favorite ways, but you can also mix 2-3 tablespoons of corn starch with milk or cream and stir it into the soup at the end to thicken, making it gluten-free.

Potatoes v. Noodles: you can also make this a turkey noodle soup if you prefer, leaving out the potatoes but adding in 1-1.5 cups of uncooked pasta where you would add the potatoes.

Storage

  • Store: Store this dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Allow it to cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge.
  • Freeze: This recipe freezes well, so your turkey leftovers can keep on giving all through the holidays! The potatoes may have a slightly different texture after thawing, but the soup will still taste delicious. Store leftover soup once it has completely cooled to room temperature in a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to a month.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 513grams | Calories: 452cal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 798mg | Potassium: 1137mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 5737IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 3mg

Keywords creamy turkey soup

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Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (19)

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brenda says

    I made it and it is delicious! It’s comfort food for sure. The recipe is easy to follow and the results are excellent.

    Reply

  2. Joyce W says

    Wow, this soup is so delicious! I wanted to use turkey that I had leftover from Thanksgiving and had put in the freezer. I was particularly pleased with the explanation for making the roux to thicken the soup. It was spot on!!! The seasonings also taste just right. Thank you, Ashley, I will be making this soup again!

    Reply

  3. Nancy Paine says

    This soup is creamy, comforting, satisfying, and delicious! I will make this over and over again, with chicken, all year long, even though I first made it with leftover Thanksgiving turkey. I did make stock with the turkey bones and such, but that is a messy job, and I still needed to bump up the stock flavor with Better Than Bouillon, so I won’t go through the turkey mess next year. I love the method of thickening Ashley uses, it is brilliant! I have never seen that before, it is a game changer. I don’t keep milk around, so I mixed 1 cup of half and half with 1/2 cup of water. You can change it up however you wish, adding and subtracting veggies based on what’s in your frig. It would be a quick, and easy dinner using a rotisserie chicken. I also added some poultry seasoning. Everyone loved it, it’s a keeper!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Thanks Nancy!

      Reply

  4. Sheryl says

    If I make this in the instant pot, do I still add the milk or wait until after it is finished in the pot?

    Reply

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Leftover Turkey Soup - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

How long does turkey soup last in fridge? ›

How long is leftover turkey soup good for? Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to four days.

How to spice up bland turkey soup? ›

You can add more herbs and different spices to add more flavor to turkey soup, but sometimes a bit of salt is all you need. The other clincher is cooking the carcass low and slow to get as much flavor from the roast turkey as possible. Try sauteeing your vegetables in a bit of olive oil before adding to the soup.

What gives vegetable soup that depth of flavor? ›

**Herbs and Spices:** Use a variety of herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, bay leaves, cumin, coriander, or smoked paprika to enhance the taste. 3. **Broth or Stock:** Choose a flavorful broth or stock as the soup base. Vegetable, mushroom, or a combination of vegetable and chicken broth can add depth.

How to make soup flavorful? ›

Use fresh vegetables, high-quality meats or broth, and fresh herbs to add depth of flavor. Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex.

Is 7 day old soup safe to eat? ›

According to State Food Safety, leftover food should be tossed after one week — but according to the USDA, a number of foods should actually be thrown out before that seven-day mark. For example, per the USDA, cooked patties, soups, stews, and casseroles, should be in your fridge for no longer than three or four days.

How many days can you eat leftover turkey soup? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

How do you thicken turkey soup broth? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

What can I add to soup for depth of flavor? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says.

What spice adds flavor to soup? ›

Oregano works especially well with tomato-based soups, creating a light and fragrant undertone. Cayenne Pepper: Perfect for a little heat, cayenne pepper introduces a warm, spicy depth to your soup. Be sure to add a little, then taste as you go. You can always add more, but you can't take away.

How can I add flavor to tasteless soup? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

How do I fix bland tasting soup? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Our Lemony Chicken Soup will make your mouth water.

Why is my soup so tasteless? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Start with the basics. Ensure you've added enough salt and black pepper.

What not to do when making soup? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cooking Soup
  1. Boiling instead of simmering. You want a small bubble or two to rise to the surface of the liquid every few seconds. ...
  2. Not using enough salt. ...
  3. Ignoring water. ...
  4. Overcooking the vegetables. ...
  5. Adding tomatoes at the beginning. ...
  6. Neglecting to garnish. ...
  7. Not trying a pressure cooker.
Nov 19, 2014

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

Can you put Worcestershire sauce in soup? ›

Adding Worcestershire Sauce To Soups

It will work in a broad range of dishes from your favorite French onion soup to velvety tomato bisque. It definitely does a great job of amping up the meaty flavors of a beef stew as well as giving vegetable soups a flavor lift, too.

Can I make turkey soup after 6 days? ›

Assuming your soup would include the carcass you want to make your soup within three days . And the soup itself has a life of three to four days in the fridge. you can freeze both the turkey and the soup for a much longer shelf life.

Can you use 5 day old turkey in soup? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less).

Can you eat soup after 5 days in fridge? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can I eat leftover soup after 5 days? ›

The FDA notes that cooked leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen two hours after preparation, and that leftovers should be eaten or thrown out four days after refrigeration.

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