This quick and delicious leftover turkey soup is an easy, budget-friendly recipe using all Thanksgiving leftovers. Packed with veggies, turkey, and rice, this soup is true comfort food in under 30 minutes. Use the whole carcass for additional flavor, or not. Either way, you will love this warm and savory soup.
Homemade turkey soup is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed year-round But like any cooked food, turkey soup has a limited shelf life Knowing how long your leftovers will stay fresh and safe to eat is important to avoid food waste and potential foodborne illness.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about properly storing and freezing homemade turkey soup to extend its shelf life and keep it at optimal quality.
Overview on Turkey Soup Storage
When stored properly in the refrigerator, homemade turkey soup will typically last 3-4 days. For longer term storage, turkey soup can be frozen for 4-6 months.
Here is a quick overview of turkey soup storage guidelines
-
Refrigeration Store cooked soup in airtight containers and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking, It will maintain best quality for 3-4 days
-
Freezing: Turkey soup can be frozen for 4-6 months if stored in freezer bags or airtight containers with 1 inch headspace.
-
Thawing: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Do not thaw at room temperature.
-
Reheating: Only reheat thawed soup once. Bring it to a boil before serving.
-
Food Safety: Discard soup if it smells, tastes or looks bad. Do not store in the cooking pot. Use separate containers.
Proper storage is essential for keeping homemade turkey soup safe and preserving its freshness. Follow these fridge and freezer recommendations to get the most out of your leftovers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Storing Turkey Soup
Follow this simple step-by-step guide for safe storage and extended shelf life of homemade turkey soup:
1. Allow the Soup to Cool Completely
Do not transfer freshly cooked hot soup straight into the refrigerator. Allow it to come down to room temperature first, which takes 1-2 hours.
Putting piping hot soup directly into the fridge can increase the temperature and potentially compromise other foods.
2. Transfer Soup to Shallow Containers
For fast cooling, transfer turkey soup into shallow containers instead of the deep cooking pot.
Large pots retain heat longer and prevent the soup from cooling down quickly enough.
3. Refrigerate Promptly
Refrigerate the turkey soup within 2 hours of cooking, ideally within 1 hour.
Bacteria multiplication increases rapidly if soup is left at room temperature for too long.
4. Use Airtight Containers
Store cooled soup in airtight glass, plastic or stainless steel containers when refrigerating. This prevents moisture loss and contamination.
Make sure to label containers with prep date for easier tracking.
5. Freeze for Long-Term Storage
For storing soup longer than 4 days, freeze it in airtight containers leaving 1 inch headspace to allow for expansion.
Frozen properly, turkey soup retains optimum quality for 4-6 months at 0°F.
Avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Only thaw the amount needed.
Following these cooling, refrigerating, freezing and reheating best practices will help maximize shelf life and safety.
Refrigerator Storage Timeline
Here is a timeline of how long turkey soup will last when properly stored in the refrigerator:
-
0-2 hours: Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Do not leave soup at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
-
2-3 days: Turkey soup stored in the fridge in airtight containers will stay fresh for 2-3 days.
-
3-4 days: Maximum recommended refrigeration time for optimal quality and safety.
-
1 week: Soup may start to degrade in texture and taste stale after 1 week, even when refrigerated. Freeze leftovers at this point.
-
2 weeks: Do not keep turkey soup in the fridge for longer than 1 week. Soup stored for over 2 weeks should be discarded.
For highest quality and safety, homemade turkey soup should be consumed within 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Leftovers should be discarded after 1 week.
Freezer Storage Timeline
Here is how long turkey soup will last when frozen properly:
-
1 month: Frozen soup retains optimal flavor, texture and quality for 1 month.
-
3 months: The taste, aroma and quality of the soup will start declining slightly after 3 months.
-
4-6 months: Maximum recommended freezer storage timeline. Turkey soup remains safe to eat within this timeframe.
-
8-12 months: Not recommended to freeze soup for over 6 months. It may still be safe but the quality deteriorates.
For best results, homemade turkey soup should be used within 4-6 months in the freezer. Only freeze leftovers for the storage time needed.
Choosing the Right Containers
Picking suitable containers is vital for food safety and preventing contamination:
-
Glass: Glass containers, bowls and jars are ideal for fridge or freezer storage. Glass is non-porous and odor/stain resistant.
-
Plastic: Use BPA-free plastic containers with airtight lids. Avoid containers that may leach chemicals.
-
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel maintains temperature well and is durable for freezing. Ensure seals are airtight.
-
Freezer Bags: Resealable, food-grade freezer bags are convenient for portioning soup. Opt for thicker bags.
-
Canning Jars: Mason jars allow for long-term freezer storage of soup. Leave 1 inch headspace before sealing.
Avoid reactive materials like aluminum. Always use food-grade containers that will preserve the safety and quality of the turkey soup.
Thawing and Reheating Leftover Soup
Follow these tips when thawing and reheating previously frozen turkey soup:
-
Thawing: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Microwave defrost if needed quickly.
-
Microwave: Reheat thawed soup in 30 second bursts, stirring between each. Ensure even heating.
-
Stovetop: For best results, reheat small batches on the stovetop over medium heat while stirring regularly.
-
Simmer: Once reheated, reduce heat and simmer soup for 3-5 minutes before serving.
-
Single Reheat Only: Avoid reheating any portion of soup more than once. Only reheat what is being consumed immediately.
-
Prevent Scorching: If soup is too thick, add some liquid when reheating to prevent scorching and sticking.
Proper thawing and reheating are essential to retain the safety, texture and flavor of leftover turkey soup.
Food Safety Tips
Always adhere to food safety best practices when handling and storing turkey soup:
-
Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Do not leave soup at room temperature too long.
-
Transfer to shallow containers to allow for quick cooling before refrigerating.
-
Inspect soup before reheating or freezing. Discard if moldy, slimy or smells bad.
-
Do not store in the cooking pot. Transfer to a clean container with an airtight lid once cooled.
-
Once thawed, use within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze thawed soup.
-
When reheating, bring to a boil for 3-5 minutes to eliminate bacteria.
-
Do not eat reheated soup left at room temperature for over 2 hours.
Following proper food handling and storage procedures are vital to keep homemade turkey soup safe and fresh.
Storage FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about turkey soup storage:
How long does turkey soup last in the fridge?
Homemade turkey soup will maintain best quality for 3-4 days when properly stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
Can you freeze turkey soup?
Yes, turkey soup can be frozen for 4-6 months if stored in airtight freezer bags or containers at 0°F with 1 inch headspace.
How do you thaw frozen turkey soup?
Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. You can also use the defrost setting on the microwave if needed quickly.
Can you refreeze thawed turkey soup?
It is not recommended to refreeze previously thawed turkey soup. Only thaw the portion that will be consumed within 3-4 days.
How many times can you reheat turkey soup?
Avoid reheating any portion of the soup more than once. Only reheat the amount that will be eaten immediately.
How do you store leftover turkey soup?
Allow to cool within 2 hours, transfer to airtight containers, refrigerate and use within 3-4 days. Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to 6 months.
What happens if turkey soup is left out overnight?
Turkey soup left out at room temperature overnight can potentially grow dangerous bacteria. It is unsafe to eat and should be discarded.
By following proper refrigeration and freezing guidelines, homemade turkey soup can be safely stored and enjoyed for up to 4-6 months. Always use safe food handling
Watch Instant Pot Turkey Soup Recipe Video
For a full list of ingredients, jump to the recipe card below.
You probably have all the ingredients for this leftover turkey soup after all the cooking you did over the holidays. It’s a simple and budget-friendly list of ingredients that come together to make the most delicious soup.
- Cooked Turkey Meat: You can use white or dark meat or a mixture of both! You can also make this recipe with leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or cooked chicken breasts!
- Turkey Carcass or Bones: This is completely optional, but I highly recommend you add it if you have it on hand. It’ll make a delicious leftover turkey carcass soup with amazing flavors. It also makes homemade turkey stock/turkey broth in the process!
- Ghee: I love using ghee for my cooking, but you can use any cooking oil you have on hand. If using ghee, you can make your own or this is my favorite brand to purchase.
- Veggies: Diced onion, celery, carrots, and minced garlic– you could even throw in green beans if you want!
- Thyme: I love the flavor of fresh thyme but you can use 1/3 amount of dried thyme instead.
- Chicken Broth: Water can be used instead of you end up using turkey carcass. The bones will add enough flavor to the water.
- White Rice: This is another optional ingredient. If you are making paleo or Whole30 soup, you can just omit this. You can also use brown rice or a wild rice blend if preferred.
- Fresh Herbs & Spices: Salt, ground black pepper, and fresh parsley.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is best, but you can use a bottle of lemon juice if you’re in a pinch.
What Makes This Recipe Great
I’m one of those people who just isn’t a huge fan of turkey on the day of the Thanksgiving feast. But for some reason, I always love all the leftovers–leftover Thanksgiving turkey included! I just love making casseroles, dips, soups, and salads– basically all the leftover turkey recipes– way more than eating it on its own.
After Thanksgiving, I always end up making an easy turkey soup recipe with leftover turkey meat. It’s just so comforting and delicious, has the best flavor, and most importantly, it’s SO quick and easy when I’m sick of cooking.
I’ve made many kinds of “leftover soup” for years, but this Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup might be my favorite. It’s the perfect texture and has the best flavor from the addition of veggies, rice, and lemon juice.
Make this tender turkey soup in your Instant Pot by pressure cooking or using the stovetop method. Both turn out great! It’s a great recipe that the whole family will love. Plus, it’s perfect for a cold day and the perfect way to use up all those Thanksgiving dinner leftovers!