Try This Heartwarming Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe Today

Chilly evenings call for comforting bowls of leftover turkey soup that warm you from the inside out.

This simple recipe turns yesterday’s roasted turkey into a hearty, nourishing meal packed with vegetables and rich flavor.

Shredded turkey simmers gently with colorful carrots, celery, and aromatic herbs.

The broth develops deep, satisfying layers of taste that remind you of cozy home-cooked meals.

Tender chunks of meat blend perfectly with soft vegetables and fragrant seasonings.

Each spoonful promises comfort and deliciousness without complicated preparation.

You’ll love how quickly this soup comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Leftover Turkey Soup Savory Benefits

• Whip Up Comfort Quickly: This soup transforms leftover turkey into a hearty, warming meal with minimal kitchen effort and just a few simple steps.
• Customize Your Flavor Profile: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients like different vegetables or using chicken instead of turkey for variety.
• Pack Nutritious Goodness: Loaded with vegetables, protein, and grains, this soup provides a balanced one-pot meal that satisfies hunger and supports healthy eating.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults will love the creamy texture, mild seasonings, and filling components that make this soup appealing to all ages.

What’s in Leftover Turkey Soup

• Turkey: Leftover meat that adds protein and hearty flavor to the soup.
• Broth: Provides the liquid base and depth of flavor for the soup.
• Rice: Adds substance and makes the soup more filling.

• Onion, Celery, Carrots, Potatoes: Classic soup vegetables that build a rich, flavorful foundation.
• Mushrooms, Corn: Additional vegetables that contribute texture and complementary tastes.

• Garlic, Italian Seasoning: Herbs and aromatics that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Flour: Helps thicken the soup and create a smooth texture.
• Half and Half: Adds creaminess and richness to the soup.
• Butter, Oil: Provide a base for sautéing vegetables and developing flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing the soup's taste.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Soup

Step 1: Launch Base Flavor

Melt butter and oil in a spacious pot.

Toss chopped onion and celery into the pan, sautéing until they become translucent and tender, releasing their aromatic essence for 4-5 minutes.

Step 2: Welcome Mushroom Magic

Introduce sliced mushrooms to the pot, allowing them to dance and soften for 3-4 minutes.

Sprinkle minced garlic and let it sizzle for an additional minute, creating a rich foundation of flavor.

Step 3: Create Silky Thickening Agent

Lower the heat to a gentle medium-low.

Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and flour, stirring continuously to create a smooth, fragrant mixture that will give the soup its luxurious texture.

Step 4: Pour Liquid Gold

Slowly stream broth into the pot, whisking carefully to prevent any pesky lumps from forming.

• Chopped carrots
• Diced potatoes
• Uncooked rice

Step 5: Develop Soup Symphony

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and cover.

Let the soup simmer peacefully until the rice is nearly tender, which typically takes 20-35 minutes depending on your rice variety.

Step 6: Final Flourish

• Half and half
• Shredded turkey
• Sweet corn kernels

Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to mingle.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve steaming hot and enjoy your comforting turkey soup transformation.

Tips for Hearty Turkey Soup

• Stir flour and seasonings continuously while cooking to avoid clumping and ensure smooth, silky soup texture.
• Choose quick-cooking rice varieties to reduce overall simmering time and maintain perfect soup consistency.
• Cut vegetables into uniform sizes for even cooking and balanced flavor distribution throughout the soup.
• Roast mushrooms separately before adding to enhance their natural umami and create a richer taste profile.
• Temper half and half by adding a small amount of hot soup liquid before mixing to prevent curdling and maintain creamy texture.

Creative Turkey Soup Variations

• Vegetarian Turkey Swap: Replace turkey with cubed tofu or tempeh for a plant-based protein option that maintains the soup's hearty texture.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Substitute wheat flour with cornstarch or rice flour to create a roux that's safe for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip rice and use cauliflower rice instead, reducing total carbohydrates while keeping the soup's rich flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk in place of half and half, creating a creamy soup without dairy ingredients.

Serving Leftover Turkey Soup Warm

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this hearty soup in deep ceramic mugs or rustic bowls to enhance the warm, homey feeling.
• Garnish Galore: Top with fresh chopped parsley, crispy bacon bits, or a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor and texture.
• Side Kick Companions: Pair with crusty sourdough bread, buttery dinner rolls, or a light green salad to complete the meal and soak up every delicious spoonful.
• Leftover Love: Store in airtight containers for 3-4 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or reheating on chilly evenings.

Storing Leftover Turkey Soup Effectively

• Store leftover turkey soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Frozen soup maintains best quality for 2-3 months.
• Thaw refrigerated or frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of broth if needed to restore original consistency.
• Avoid repeated reheating, as this can degrade soup quality and potentially create food safety issues. Reheat only the portion you plan to consume immediately.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken instead of turkey in this soup?

Yes, you can easily substitute shredded chicken for turkey. The recipe works perfectly with either protein.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

No, the recipe contains flour for the roux. To make it gluten-free, use cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend as a thickener.

• What type of rice works best in this soup?

Long-grain white rice or brown rice are ideal. Avoid quick-cooking rice as it might become mushy during the longer cooking process.

• Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Absolutely! This soup reheats wonderfully and the flavors actually improve after sitting for a day in the refrigerator.

Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Leftover Turkey Soup brings comfort and warmth to your post-holiday table. Packed with tender meat, colorful vegetables, and rich broth, this simple recipe turns remaining turkey into a delicious meal you’ll savor to the last spoonful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 cups cooked turkey, shredded

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/2 cup corn

Liquid and Additional Ingredients:

• 6 cups turkey or chicken broth
• 1 cup half & half
• 1/2 pound baby potatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup wild rice blend
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a spacious pot, melt butter with oil over medium heat. Sauté diced onions and celery until translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Incorporate sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and become soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional minute.
3. Lower the heat to medium-low. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and flour into the vegetable mixture, stirring constantly to create a smooth base, about 1 minute.
4. Slowly pour broth into the pot, whisking continuously to prevent lump formation. Introduce chopped carrots, diced potatoes, and uncooked rice to the liquid.
5. Increase heat to bring the soup to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until rice is nearly tender, ranging 20-35 minutes depending on rice variety.
6. Stir in half and half, shredded turkey, and corn kernels. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to meld flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

• Swap rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice to make the soup gluten-free and lower carb.
• Boost nutrition by adding extra vegetables like kale, spinach, or zucchini during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Use rotisserie chicken as an easy alternative if turkey leftovers aren’t available, maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.
• Freeze soup in portion-sized containers for quick meals later, ensuring it stays fresh for up to 3 months when properly sealed.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg