How to Make Turkey Soup: Homemade Turkey Soup Recipe
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Nov 29, 2024 • 2 min read
If you’re looking for easy and versatile uses for a leftover turkey after the holidays, this turkey soup recipe is all you need. Stock made from the turkey carcass provides a rich and hearty base, and you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand to bulk up the soup.
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What Is Turkey Soup?
Turkey soup is a comforting soup made with leftover turkey bones and meat. First, you’ll make a hearty bone broth from the turkey carcass. Then, you’ll sweat a flavorful mirepoix along with a few cups of diced mixed veggies before adding the turkey stock and shredded meat. Layering the flavors in the soup creates complexity, while a flourish of fresh herbs at the end adds vibrancy to the dish. If desired, you can bulk up this delicious soup with egg noodles to make turkey noodle soup. For a quick dinner any time of year, try making this soup recipe with leftover roast chicken instead of roast turkey.
3 Tips for Making Turkey Soup
Your leftover Thanksgiving turkey is good for more than just turkey sandwiches. Here's how to turn it into a flavorful, hearty soup.
- 1. Don’t rush the stock. The key to any good soup is the base, so take your time with the stock. If you don’t have time to babysit a stockpot on the stovetop, use a slow cooker or pressure cooker for a more hands-off approach. And if you’re too busy to make turkey stock from scratch, use your favorite store-bought chicken broth or chicken stock.
- 2. Salt wisely. If you brined your turkey before roasting it, use less salt than you would for an unbrined turkey. Season to taste and with extra care. It’s easy to add salt if your soup is under-seasoned, but much harder to fix an overly salted dish.
- 3. Spice things up. For a Mexican-style turkey pozole, add in a small jar of your favorite salsa and a can of hominy during cooking, and garnish with lime wedges and cilantro instead of parsley. For a more Mediterranean approach, add white beans, kale, and fennel as your vegetables, plus a glug of extra-virgin olive oil and crushed red pepper for garnish.
Homemade Turkey Soup Recipe
makes
prep time
20 mintotal time
5 hrcook time
4 hr 40 minIngredients
For the stock:
For the soup:
- 1
Pick all remaining meat off of the turkey carcass and set meat aside.
- 2
Make the stock: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine picked turkey carcass, onion, celery, carrots, bay leaf, thyme sprigs, parsley stems, and whole peppercorns and cover with cold water by an inch or so.
- 3
Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer 3–4 hours, skimming any foam or film that floats to the surface. Skimming helps keep the stock clear.
- 4
Strain all solids from the stock, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- 5
Make the soup: In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add leeks, onions, carrots, and celery and sweat the vegetables until leeks and onions start to become translucent, about 6–8 minutes.
- 6
Stir in additional diced vegetables and sauté for another 5 minutes.
- 7
Add finished turkey broth to the soup pot and bring heat up to medium-high, simmer the vegetables until they start to soften, 10–15 minutes depending on the vegetables.
- 8
Stir in the leftover turkey meat, and cook until heated through, about 1–2 minutes.
- 9
Taste soup for seasoning, then ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley to serve.
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