Description
A comforting and hearty leftover turkey soup that transforms your cooked turkey into a flavorful, nutritious meal. Packed with vegetables, herbs, and tender turkey, this soup is perfect for using up leftovers and enjoying a warm, home-cooked dish in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauté Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Broth & Protein
- 6 cups chicken or turkey broth
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded
Carbohydrates & Greens
- 1 cup cooked rice, pasta, or noodles
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups spinach or kale
Seasoning & Garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: In a large pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering, preparing the base for sautéing vegetables.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for 2–3 minutes until they become fragrant and onions are translucent.
- Add vegetables and herbs: Stir in sliced carrots, celery, dried thyme, rosemary, and paprika. Cook for 5–7 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and the spices to release their flavor.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in chicken or turkey broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes to develop flavor and soften the vegetables further.
- Add turkey and cooked grains: Incorporate shredded turkey and cooked rice, pasta, or noodles. Stir well and heat through, ensuring the protein and carbs are warmed evenly.
- Add peas and greens: Toss in frozen peas and spinach or kale. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the greens wilt and peas are tender but still vibrant.
- Season and adjust: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as needed for a balanced flavor.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use whatever cooked grains you prefer such as rice, pasta, or noodles.
- Spinach can be substituted with kale or other leafy greens based on availability or preference.
- For a thicker soup, add a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch mixed with water before simmering.
- Leftover cooked turkey can be replaced with chicken or even tofu for a vegetarian variation.
- Adjust herbs and spices to taste; fresh herbs can be used if available instead of dried.
