This homemade turkey soup recipe is a simple, healthy soup you can make in your instant pot , slow cooker , or on the stove! A yummy, easy turkey soup everyone will love!
There’s nothing worse than eating thanksgiving dinner 4x in a row to use up the leftover turkey.. that’s why this leftover turkey is a MUCH better option!
This isn’t just any leftover turkey soup… it’s the BEST leftover turkey soup. What makes it so good you might ask?
Well, we use turkey bone broth (which you can easily make in under 5 minutes of prep), loads of hearty veggies, and tons of leftover turkey for maximum flavor.
This turkey soup is cozy, easy to make, and delicious! It can also be paleo/whole30 friendly, or gluten free depending on what add-ins you use. There’s a long list of substitutions below!
If you’re looking for how to cook your turkey – this Crockpot Turkey Breast is the best! (And if you’re still planning your Thanksgiving menu – check out these Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes!)
Leftover turkey soup is a beloved staple after the holidays. Made from Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey, this hearty and comforting soup is perfect for chilly weather. But a common question is – how long is turkey soup actually good for? Understanding proper storage and food safety guidelines is key to enjoying tasty turkey soup without worry.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the shelf life and storage of homemade turkey soup.
Overview of Turkey Soup Storage
When stored correctly, turkey soup can last 3-4 days in the refrigerator or 4-6 months in the freezer. Here are some general storage guidelines:
-
Refrigeration: Turkey soup will last 3-4 days in airtight containers in the fridge. Refrigerate within 2 hours after cooking.
-
Freezing: For long-term storage, freeze turkey soup in airtight containers or bags. It will keep for 4-6 months at 0°F.
-
Reheating Only reheat thawed turkey soup once Bring to a boil before serving.
-
Food Safety Discard soup if it smells, tastes or looks spoiled. Do not store in cooking pot
Proper refrigeration and freezing is essential for maintaining the safety and quality of homemade turkey soup over time. Follow these recommendations when storing leftovers.
Factors that Affect Shelf Life
The actual shelf life of turkey soup can vary based on several key factors:
Ingredients Used
-
Fresh high-quality ingredients last longer. Avoid old produce or meat.
-
Acidic ingredients like tomatoes shorten shelf life.
Cooking Method
-
Thoroughly cooking soup kills bacteria that causes spoilage.
-
Long, slow simmering builds more flavor.
Storage Containers
-
Airtight containers prevent moisture loss. Use glass or stainless steel.
-
Allow soup to cool before refrigerating or freezing.
Handling
-
Avoid cross-contamination by using clean utensils.
-
Divide into small containers for fast cooling.
Refrigerator Storage Timeline
Here is a timeline for how long turkey soup will last refrigerated:
-
0-2 hours: Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
-
2-3 days: Turkey soup stays fresh for 2-3 days.
-
3-4 days: Maximum fridge storage time. Use within 4 days.
-
1 week: Quality may decline after 1 week. Freeze leftovers.
-
2 weeks: Discard soup stored over 2 weeks.
For optimal taste and safety, use leftover turkey soup within 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Toss any soup over 1 week old.
Freezer Storage Timeline
Here’s how long turkey soup can be frozen:
-
1 month: Optimal quality is maintained when frozen for 1 month.
-
3 months: Flavor and texture may start declining slightly after 3 months.
-
4-6 months: Maximum recommended freezer time. Still safe to eat.
-
8-12 months: Not recommended. May suffer quality loss but still safe.
Ideally, use frozen turkey soup within 4-6 months for the best flavor and texture. Avoid prolonged freezing times when possible.
Choosing the Right Storage Containers
Picking suitable containers helps maintain food safety and quality:
-
Glass jars/bowls: Non-porous and won’t hold odors or stains.
-
Plastic containers: Opt for BPA-free containers with tight-fitting lids.
-
Stainless steel: Holds temperature well and is durable. Needs airtight lids.
-
Freezer bags: Resealable, thick freezer bags work great.
-
Canning jars: Mason jars allow ample room for expansion when freezing.
Avoid materials like aluminum that can react with acidic ingredients. Always use food-safe, airtight containers.
Thawing and Reheating Tips
Follow these guidelines when thawing and reheating turkey soup:
-
Thaw frozen soup overnight in the fridge. Never at room temperature.
-
Reheat small batches in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring regularly.
-
Bring soup to a full boil when reheating and simmer 3-5 minutes.
-
Only reheat once. Don’t reheat more than will be eaten immediately.
-
Add a bit of liquid if soup is too thick before reheating to prevent scorching.
Proper thawing and reheating helps maintain food safety and retain optimal texture and flavor.
Food Safety Recommendations
Adhere to these food safety tips when storing turkey soup:
-
Refrigerate within 2 hours after cooking. Do not leave out longer.
-
Use clean utensils and containers to avoid cross-contamination.
-
Check for signs of spoilage before reheating. Discard moldy, slimy or foul-smelling soup.
-
Do not store in cooking pot. Transfer to airtight containers once cooled.
-
Bring soup to a full boil for 3-5 minutes before serving after reheating.
-
Do not eat reheated soup left at room temperature over 2 hours.
Following proper food safety guidelines is crucial for preventing foodborne illnesses when enjoying turkey soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common turkey soup storage questions:
-
How long does homemade turkey soup last in the fridge? 3-4 days in airtight containers.
-
Can you freeze turkey soup? Yes, for 4-6 months at 0°F. Use freezer bags or airtight containers.
-
How do you properly thaw frozen turkey soup? In the refrigerator overnight.
-
Can you refreeze thawed turkey soup? No, avoid refreezing thawed soup.
-
How do you know if turkey soup went bad? If moldy, smelly, or has an off texture toss it.
-
Can you reheat turkey soup multiple times? Best to only reheat once. Reheat only what will be eaten immediately.
-
Is it safe to eat turkey soup with freezer burn? It is safe, but may have poorer texture and taste.
Enjoy Turkey Soup Safely
Storing turkey soup properly is simple when you follow these refrigerator, freezer, reheating and food safety guidelines. With the right storage containers and handling, homemade turkey soup can be safely enjoyed for up to 3-4 days refrigerated or 4-6 months frozen. Be sure to discard any leftovers that look, smell or taste spoiled. Happy leftover turkey soup eating!
How can I thicken my Turkey Soup?
Thickening soup is easy to do. Put a tablespoon of cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk in 3-4 tablespoons of broth.
Once combined, add the mixture to the pot and stir over low heat. However – we don’t recommend trying to thicken this soup. It’s meant to be a broth-based soup, not a thick soup.
Why We Love Turkey Soup
We love easy soup because it’s so delicious – but it’s also great for other reasons.. here’s why we love it so much:
- Easy to make: This recipe is done in under 30 minutes. Other than chopping some veggies, it requires little to no effort!
- Loaded with veggies: We love sneaking veggies in soup (like this Healthy Broccoli Soup or Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe)
- Budget friendly: This recipe is made with basic affordable ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry/fridge and it uses up all those leftovers. No more lame Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches or tossing turkey after a few days – this totally transforms it!
This soup is so simple to make. Especially if you’re enjoying this after a holiday.. you’re probably tired from all the cooking/hosting/traveling you did – which means you probably don’t want to spend ANY more time in the kitchen.
All you have to do is chop some veggies + the leftover turkey, sauté, and toss in to the instant pot, slow cooker or on the stove! It really doesn’t get any easier. Here’s what you’ll need to make leftover turkey soup recipe.
To make this leftover turkey soup recipe you’ll need:
- olive oil
- onion, garlic, carrots, celery
- salt and pepper
- turkey broth – it’s so much better if you can make it from scratch!
- cooked turkey
- pasta or rice
Meat: You can make this with leftover chicken instead of turkey meat if you’d like. We also have a Chicken Wild Rice Soup recipe!
Can you make a creamy turkey soup? Sure! Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream or coconut cream once it has cooked to make this recipe a creamy soup.
Oil: Avocado oil or vegetable oil can be used in place of olive oil .
Turkey Noodle Soup Recipe: Just add cooked noodles to the soup when you’re ready to serve turkey noodle soup. Or try this Turkey Noodle Soup
Keto Turkey Soup: If you are strict keto, cut the amount of carrots in half for this recipe and serve with zucchini noodles.
Spicy Turkey Soup: If you want some spice, add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the soup as it’s cooking
Broth: We used homemade turkey broth in this recipe, but you can use chicken stock, veggie stock, or whatever broth you have on hand.
Add ins: Quinoa, pasta, brown rice, or noodles all work in this recipe. You can also add zucchini noodles
Wild Rice: If you like wild rice, try our Turkey Wild Rice Soup!
Zucchini Noodles: For best results, I recommend adding the zucchini noodles to the bowl instead of adding them to the slow cooker pot. This way your zucchini noodles/spinach won’t get soggy if you eat leftovers. You can also sub pasta for zucchini noodles.
Veggies: You can add peas, potatoes, or even spinach to this recipe!
Herbs: I like to add in a little chopped fresh rosemary and a bay leaf to this recipe – but you can use whatever herbs you like!
Low Sodium: If you’re watching your salt intake – omit the salt from the recipe or add it at the end to taste… Also, make sure to check your canned beans/broth. Look for low or no salt added beans/broth.