This leftover turkey soup is the best way to make the most of Thanksgiving leftovers. Made with a rich broth, tender turkey, fresh vegetables and noodles, it’s comforting and super easy to make!.
Making turkey soup with leftover thanksgiving turkey is a great way to use up the extra meat and get another delicious meal out of it. But how long after cooking your turkey can you safely make turkey soup? Here’s a comprehensive guide to turkey soup food safety.
How Soon Can You Make Turkey Soup After Cooking?
The ideal timeframe for making leftover turkey soup is within 1-2 days after initially cooking the turkey. Here are some key points on turkey soup timing:
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Cooked turkey stays fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days maximum before bacteria can start growing.
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For best quality and flavor, use your leftover turkey within 1-2 days to make soup or other recipes.
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You can make the soup immediately after carving the turkey while everything is still fresh. This allows the broth time to simmer and absorb flavor.
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If freezing turkey, thaw fully in the fridge before using for soup.
Following proper food safety guidelines allows you to enjoy delicious turkey soup worry-free!
Proper Storage of Leftover Turkey
To maximize the shelf life of cooked turkey for soup, follow these storage tips:
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Let turkey cool completely before refrigerating after roasting Don’t pack hot turkey directly into the fridge
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Store turkey in airtight containers or zipper bags This prevents drying out
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Use turkey broth within 1-2 days or freeze for longer storage.
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Portion turkey meat into freezer bags in amounts easy for soups and casseroles.
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When freezing, remove air and seal turkey tightly in bags, plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Keeping cooked turkey at 40°F or below in the fridge and 0°F or below in the freezer prevents spoilage and bacteria growth.
Shelf Life of Frozen Turkey for Soup
Frozen cooked turkey keeps well for 2-6 months when properly stored at 0°F. For best quality, use within 2-3 months.
Always thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator, never at room temperature. Place on a plate or pan to catch drips. Small packages may thaw overnight while larger turkeys need 2-3 days.
Cook thawed turkey immediately and do not refreeze. You can also thaw in cold water, changing it every 30 minutes. Defrosting in the microwave works too.
Use safe food handling when thawing to avoid cross contamination. Wash hands, surfaces, utensils after touching raw turkey. Cook thoroughly to 165°F.
Using Turkey Bones for Soup Stock
Making your own turkey broth from the bones boosts soup flavor immensely. Follow these tips:
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Break up the cooked turkey carcass into pieces to fit your soup pot. Cover with water by a few inches.
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Simmer the bones for 8-12 hours then strain out bones and debone the broth.
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For smoother broth, strain again through a cheesecloth.
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Add cooked turkey back to broth. Use within 1-2 days or freeze.
Only use bones from properly refrigerated leftover turkey, not turkey left out too long after cooking.
Other Turkey Soup Ingredients
Here are some tasty soup additions:
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Diced carrots, celery, onion (mirepoix)
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Potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, corn, beans, spinach
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Rice, pasta, barley, quinoa
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Herbs like thyme, sage, rosemary, parsley
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Spices like poultry seasoning, black pepper, cayenne
Let your creativity guide you! Just start with a rich homemade turkey broth.
Turkey Soup Food Safety Tips
Follow these tips when making turkey soup:
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours after cooking
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Use cooked turkey within 3-4 days (1-2 days best)
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Reheat fully to 165°F before eating
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Simmer soup until piping hot before serving
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Wash hands, surfaces after handling raw turkey
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Cook raw turkey thoroughly to 165°F
Proper temperatures, storage times, cooking, and hygiene prevents risk of foodborne illness.
With proper handling, storage, and ingredients, leftover turkey makes an amazing hearty soup. For best safety and quality, use turkey within 1-2 days and homemade broth simmered from the bones. Follow food safety and you’ll be rewarded with delicious turkey noodle soup!
Easy Leftover Turkey Soup
Try this easy turkey soup if you need a way to use up all that roasted or smoked turkey you have left over after Thanksgiving.
If you love chicken noodle soup, you will love this leftover turkey soup, too. We love adding noodles, but you can leave them out or use rice instead, like in this chicken and rice soup!
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy to make. Since everything cooks in one pot, it’s very simple and quick to clean up. Done is less than 1 hour.
- Best use of leftovers. You can use any turkey meat left over from Thanksgiving in this soup recipe. Use leftover vegetables from dishes such as crockpot stuffing, too.
- Comfort food. Like chicken pot pie soup, this leftover turkey soup is the ultimate comfort food because it tastes great and is hearty.
This soup recipe is tasty and warm. It’s made with just vegetables, noodles, seasonings, and leftover turkey.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Turkey: Use leftover turkey that’s been cooked and shredded. Using both white and dark meat adds the best flavor.
- Vegetables: To make the turkey soup smell great, chopped celery, onions, and carrots (mirepoix) are sautéed in butter.
- Noodles: I like to use elbow noodles that aren’t cooked, but egg noodles work great too.
- Broth: You can use chicken broth or make your own turkey stock, which will make it taste and look even better.
- Extraordinary herbs and spices: To make this turkey soup taste better, all you need is fresh or dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Veggies: Spinach, kale, peas, green beans, potatoes and corn.
- Protein: If you don’t have any turkey left over from Thanksgiving, don’t worry! Shred chicken or roast chicken in the oven.
- Seasonings: Sage, marjoram, rosemary, a bay leaf, and poultry seasoning are some other spices that would taste great.
- Grains: Put cooked white rice, brown rice, or a wild rice blend in place of the noodles.
- Creamy: You can add a roux to this simple turkey soup recipe or just mix some flour and half-and-half together and add it near the end. You could also add in 1/2 cup heavy cream.
How to Make Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Carcass Soup | Thanksgiving Recipes | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
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