Name: Leftover Turkey Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped; 2 carrots, peeled and diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 8 cups turkey or chicken broth; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 0.5 teaspoon dried rosemary; to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 2 cups cooked leftover turkey, shredded or diced; 1 cup frozen peas; 0.5 cup heavy cream (optional, for a richer soup); Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish (optional)); Crusty bread (for serving (optional))

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This Leftover Turkey Soup is the perfect solution for those delicious post-holiday turkey scraps, transforming them into a hearty and comforting meal. It’s a budget-friendly, flavor-packed way to extend the enjoyment of your holiday feast and reduce food waste.

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Key Ingredients for Leftover Turkey Soup:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups (2 quarts) turkey or chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 cups cooked leftover turkey, shredded or diced (from Thanksgiving or any roasted turkey)
1 cup frozen peas
½ cup heavy cream (optional, for a richer soup)
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Crusty bread, for serving (optional)

How to Make Leftover Turkey Soup:

This Leftover Turkey Soup is incredibly easy to whip up, making it delicious and satisfying without a lot of effort. It’s a one-pot wonder that comes together in under an hour, perfect for a busy weeknight or a comforting lunch. The rich broth, tender vegetables, and savory turkey combine for a truly delightful experience. Preparation time: Approximately 20 minutes for chopping, 30-40 minutes for cooking.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 8-10 minutes.
Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Incorporate Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the turkey or chicken broth. Add the dried thyme and rosemary. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Simmer Vegetables: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the carrots and celery are tender.
Add Turkey and Peas: Stir in the shredded or diced leftover turkey and the frozen peas. Continue to simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the peas are heated through and the turkey is warmed.
Enrich with Cream (Optional): If you desire a creamier soup, stir in the heavy cream during the last few minutes of cooking. Heat gently, but do not boil after adding the cream.
Taste and Adjust: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Serve: Ladle the hot Leftover Turkey Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve immediately with crusty bread on the side.

See also Date Bliss Balls

Why You’ll Love This Leftover Turkey Soup:

You’ll absolutely adore this Leftover Turkey Soup for its incredible ability to reinvent your holiday bounty into something deliciously new. This soup’s star feature is its deep, comforting flavor, built upon the savory notes of your leftover turkey and a well-seasoned broth, making it a more flavorful cousin to a simple chicken noodle soup. Not only does it save you money by utilizing ingredients you already have, but it also offers a satisfying, hearty meal that feels like a special treat without the fuss. The inclusion of tender vegetables and the optional creamy addition elevates it from utilitarian to truly gourmet.

Imagine cozying up with a steaming bowl of this fragrant soup after a busy day, knowing you’ve created something wonderful from your Thanksgiving leftovers. It’s the perfect way to savor those cherished holiday flavors just a little bit longer, proving that delicious meals don’t always require a trip to the grocery store. So, embrace the magic of your leftovers and give this comforting bowl of goodness a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Storing and Reheating Tips:

Refrigeration: Allow the Leftover Turkey Soup to cool completely before storing. Transfer the soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cooled soup in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Separate into individual portions for easier reheating.
Reheating on Stovetop: Gently reheat the soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Avoid boiling, especially if you’ve added cream.
Reheating in Microwave: Reheat individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl on medium power, stirring halfway through, until hot.

Leftover Turkey Soup

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 35

Total Time 55

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Soup

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups turkey or chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
0.5 teaspoon dried rosemary
to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups cooked leftover turkey, shredded or diced
1 cup frozen peas
0.5 cup heavy cream optional, for a richer soup
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
Crusty bread for serving (optional)

Equipment

Large Pot or Dutch Oven

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 8-10 minutes.
2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped, 2 carrots, peeled and diced, 2 celery stalks, diced
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pour in the turkey or chicken broth. Add the dried thyme and rosemary. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
8 cups turkey or chicken broth, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 0.5 teaspoon dried rosemary, to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the carrots and celery are tender.
Stir in the shredded or diced leftover turkey and the frozen peas. Continue to simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the peas are heated through and the turkey is warmed.
2 cups cooked leftover turkey, shredded or diced, 1 cup frozen peas
If you desire a creamier soup, stir in the heavy cream during the last few minutes of cooking. Heat gently, but do not boil after adding the cream.
0.5 cup heavy cream
Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Ladle the hot Leftover Turkey Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve immediately with crusty bread on the side.
Fresh parsley, chopped, Crusty bread

Notes

This soup is a great way to use up leftover holiday turkey. It’s hearty, comforting, and easy to make. You can adjust the seasonings to your preference. For a dairy-free option, omit the heavy cream.