Our easy to adapt Leftover Turkey Soup is one of the best ways to use up leftovers from Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner and it is ready in under 20 minutes. A filling and hearty turkey soup that is quick to make and it makes a nice change from all the rich indulgent food during the festive season.
We always have plenty of leftover turkey at Christmas and after we have had a few leftovers sandwiches, we are craving something a little healthier.
A base of carrot, celery and shallots with shredded turkey leftovers and a flavour packed stock, this turkey soup recipe is delicious and nutritious.
We then bulked it out with some pasta to make it more filling. Its kind of a festive twist on chicken noodle soup. But other grains work too.
It doesnt get much cheaper than this. Leftovers and a few kitchen staples and you have a delicious soup. One of our favourite leftover turkey recipes. If you have guests over for Christmas and the days that follow, make up a big batch of this. I guarantee it will be a hit!
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Turkey soup is an excellent healthy meal option, especially when made from leftover turkey after holidays or family dinners. With pieces of turkey, vegetables, herbs and broth, turkey soup provides a variety of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that offer some great health benefits.
Nutrition Profile
Turkey is a lean source of protein that is low in fat and calories. It contains B vitamins like niacin, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid. Turkey also provides minerals like zinc, selenium, choline, phosphorus and potassium.
The vegetables used in turkey soup add vitamins A, C and K, plus antioxidants. Carrots, celery, onions, garlic and herbs further boost the nutritional value. Broths made from turkey bones deliver collagen, amino acids and minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Overall, turkey soup made with plenty of vegetables and broth is low in calories and fat but high in protein, vitamins and minerals. It makes for a well-balanced, nutritious meal
Weight Loss
Many turkey soup recipes are designed to be low-calorie options for weight loss Turkey is naturally lean and vegetables add volume with minimal calories Broth-based soups are also filling thanks to their high liquid content,
Making turkey soup with lots of low-calorie, high-fiber vegetables helps create a meal that is nutritious filling and slimming. The protein from the turkey gives a satisfying factor too.
Immune-Boosting Benefits
The nutrients in turkey soup can strengthen your immune system. For example, turkey provides selenium, which supports immune function. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, also vital for immunity.
Onions, garlic and bone broth contain compounds that may have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in the body. This combination of ingredients makes turkey soup a comforting choice when you’re feeling under the weather.
Uses for Leftover Turkey
One of the best things about turkey soup is that it puts leftover turkey to use after holidays. Leftover meat often goes to waste, but turkey soup gives it new life and transforms it into something tasty.
Shredded turkey combines well with vegetables, herbs, broth, rice or pasta. So don’t let that turkey go to waste – use it to make a pot of nourishing soup.
An Easy and Comforting Meal
Turkey soup comes together easily by sautéing aromatics like onions and garlic, then simmering with broth, turkey, vegetables and herbs. Most recipes take 30 minutes or less of active prep time. The ingredients are simple and affordable too.
This soup makes for a comforting meal that warms you from the inside out. The pieces of turkey and tender vegetables make it feel indulgent. Enjoy a bowl anytime you need warming, feel-good comfort food.
Tips for Making Turkey Soup
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Use a homemade turkey bone broth for maximum flavor. Simmer the leftover turkey carcass with some vinegar to draw out the nutrients.
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Feel free to use chicken stock if you don’t have turkey broth. Vegetable or bone broth also work.
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Try adding carrots, celery, onion, garlic, parsley, thyme and bay leaf. Barley or rice make nice additions too.
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Beans, potatoes, peas or spinach can be added. White beans or chickpeas work well.
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For extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced chili pepper.
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Stir in some cream or coconut milk at the end for a creamy turkey soup.
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Cook pasta or rice separately, then add when ready to serve so it doesn’t get mushy.
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Zucchini noodles are a low-carb alternative if you want to make it keto-friendly.
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For a heartier soup, add wild rice, quinoa or pearl barley.
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To lower sodium, use reduced sodium broth and drain canned items like beans and tomatoes.
Should You Save and Cook the Turkey Carcass?
Here’s why you’ll want to reuse the leftover turkey carcass after holiday meals:
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There’s still plenty of meat stuck to those bones! Don’t let it go to waste.
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Turkey bones make a delicious and nutritious bone broth packed with benefits like collagen and immune-boosting properties.
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Cooking the carcass into soup helps release extra meat scraps from the bones.
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You get homemade turkey broth full of minerals and gelatin from simmering the bones.
Simply place the entire carcass in a pot of water with some vinegar and let it simmer for an hour or so. Pick the remaining meat off and strain the broth. Use it to make a pot of turkey soup loaded with vegetables.
Is Turkey Soup Good For You?
Yes, turkey soup made properly can be an extremely healthy, well-balanced meal! Choosing a lean protein like turkey along with fiber-rich veggies and mineral-packed broth makes for a nutritious soup full of vitamins, protein and antioxidants.
Turkey soup supports weight loss since it’s low in calories but high in satiating protein and fiber. The broth keeps it comforting yet light. Smooth a creamy spoonful over spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles for an extra nutritious soup meal.
How to Make Turkey Soup Using Leftovers – Step by Step
- Step 1: Add the oil to a large soup pan and heat. Once hot, add the shallots, celery, carrot, garlic and thyme and cook gently for 4-5 minutes, until softened.
- Step 2: Add the shredded turkey.
- Step 3: Add the stock and seasoning.
- Step 4: Add the pasta and cook over a low heat for 10-12 minutes, until the pasta is cooked.
This soup is a great way to use up leftover turkey from Christmas or thanksgiving. You can use any part of the turkey, however using the breast will keep this soup nice and lean. Although, the legs will give the soup more flavour. You can use leftovers from our Roasted Turkey Breast, Slow Cooker Turkey Crown or Air Fryer Turkey.
If you arent having turkey at Christmas and you are having chicken instead, then you can use shredded chicken in this recipe. Why not try our Best Roast Chicken Recipe?
How to Bulk Out the Soup
The great thing about this leftover turkey soup recipe is how filling it is. That is down to the addition of pasta. We used the smallest shells that we could find, however you could use chunkier pasta shapes. Its a great way to use whatever you have in the cupboard.
Some other things that you can add to this are:
- Rice – white, brown or wild rice all work
- Giant couscous – also known as Israeli couscous, this makes the soup look really presentable. We wouldnt recommend using regular couscous, as it will get lost in the soup.
- Noodles – this is a twist on chicken noodle soup, so why not add some noodles?
- Beans – chickpeas or butter beans add a protein boost to this soup.
- Orzo – this is kind of a cross between rice and pasta.
This is pretty hearty and filling as it is, as we have bulked it out with pasta. But, soup needs some bread to scoop it up with in our opinion.
We served it with some slices of crusty sourdough smothered in butter. But ciabatta, our Easy Bagels, Slow Cooker Bread or a Simple White Loaf will work too.
You could also make our Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia to go with it.
If you fancy something a little different, then make your own garlic bread by spreading some homemade garlic butter on chunks of French stick and putting it until the grill.
The garlic flavours go perfectly with the leftover turkey soup. Or try our Cheesy Garlic Bread or Air Fryer Garlic Bread.
- If making this for small children, leave out the extra salt and use low salt stock.
- If you dont have any fresh thyme, then you can use dried instead. But it wont have the same flavour, as it isnt cooked for long enough to let the flavours of the dried herb to come out.
- To add extra flavour, you can cook the shallots, carrots and celery in a mixture of butter and oil.
- If you dont want to add pasta, you can use rice instead.
Yes, this turkey soup can easily be made in the slow cooker. Follow the first step and then put everything in the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours.
If you prefer your soup a little thicker, then you can add a cornstarch slurry.
If you love creamy and indulgent soups, then you could stir some double cream or creme fraiche and some grated cheddar or parmesan into the soup before serving. This will change the nutritional value considerably though.
As this soup uses leftover turkey, it will need to be eaten right away as the turkey has already been reheated once.
Alton Brown’s Turkey Soup | Food Network
FAQ
Why is turkey soup good for you?
Turkey soup can be a nutrient-dense option. This recipe, in particular, is a good source of lean protein and fiber, while also being rich in Zinc, Phosphorus, Magnesium and A and vitamin B6. A great soup for your body and soul!
Is turkey soup as healthy as chicken soup?
Turkey broth is nutrient-dense, containing different types of vitamins, minerals, and collagen. The same goes for chicken broth. Both are great options to use for soup, neither being significantly better for you than the other.
Is turkey vegetable soup healthy?
Savory, nutrient-dense and hearty, this healthy turkey vegetable soup makes a perfect meal during the colder months. It’s brothy, warming and loaded with vegetables. No gluten or grains, and can easily be made dairy-free, too.
Is homemade turkey broth healthy?
Bone stock is packed with gelatin which supports skin, hair, joint health and many processes in the body. Stock has lots of easily digested minerals, too. Stock is called Jewish penicillin for a reason: this is healing food. Bone broth is probably the cheapest – when you make it at home – and most nutrient-dense food.