Leftover Turkey Soup

Introduction

Leftover Turkey Soup is the ultimate comfort food, transforming post-holiday turkey into a soul-warming dish packed with savory depth and wholesome veggies. This soup is a delicious way to reduce waste while giving your leftovers a flavorful new life—it’s easy, customizable, and always crowd-pleasing.

Perfect for chilly evenings or quick weekday lunches, this recipe makes the most out of your fridge staples. It’s a one-pot wonder that brings family and friends back for seconds every time.

Why This Leftover Turkey Soup Will Be Your Go-To

This recipe stands out because it’s both hearty and light, striking the perfect balance between a rich, comforting broth and vibrant, colorful vegetables. You control the seasoning and vegetable mix, so each bowl can be tailored to your tastes or what you have on hand. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, you’ll find yourself making extra turkey just for an excuse to cook this soup!

Chopping and Prepping Your Veggies Smartly

Save time and effort by prepping your vegetables efficiently. Instead of endless chopping, use a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to dice carrots, celery, and onions quickly and evenly. This ensures your veggies cook uniformly and the soup comes together in a snap.

Remember to separate any stock or pan juices left from your roasted turkey—these add rich, complex undertones to your broth.

Building Layers of Flavor

Start by sautéing onions, carrots, and celery until softened. If you love extra flavor, use a nonstick skillet like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet for flawless, even cooking without sticking.

Add aromatics such as garlic, thyme, and bay leaves to create a savory base that brings out the best in your leftover turkey.

Simmering and Serving Your Soup

After adding your turkey and broth, let your soup simmer gently to marry all the flavors together. For safety and flavor, check the temperature of your turkey with a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer to ensure everything is perfectly heated through.

Portion leftover soup into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for easy fridge storage or meal-prep lunches—the soup stays fresh, and reheating is a breeze!

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Enjoy your soup as a simple dinner with crusty bread, or sprinkle in some cooked rice, egg noodles, or small pasta shapes for a heartier meal. Add a handful of chopped greens like spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrition. A sprinkle of fresh herbs before serving adds color and flavor.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 6 generous servings. Each bowl typically offers around 220–280 calories, depending on the vegetables, add-ins, and broth you use. The soup is protein-rich and filled with nutrients, making it both satisfying and nourishing.

Leftover Turkey Soup Recap

Leftover Turkey Soup is a smart, sustainable way to make the most of your holiday meals. Its comforting flavors, easy prep, and customizability earn it a regular spot in your dinner rotation—ensuring nothing goes to waste and everyone leaves the table happy.

Instructions

1. Prep your vegetables, using the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for quick, consistent dices.
2. In a large pot or Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker on sauté mode, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté 4–5 minutes until just softened.
3. Stir in garlic and thyme, cooking for 1 more minute until fragrant.
4. Add broth, bay leaves, turkey, and pan juices (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 15–20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
5. If using pasta, add it now and simmer until just tender (about 7–10 minutes). If adding rice or quick-cooking veggies (peas, green beans), stir them in during the last 5 minutes.
6. Taste and season generously with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves before serving.
7. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with fresh herbs, and enjoy. Store any leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for fresh lunches.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes