Robust Turkey Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Cold winter nights call for a warm, comforting bowl of hearty turkey soup that blends rich flavors and nourishing ingredients.

Tender chunks of savory turkey swim alongside colorful vegetables in a robust broth that warms you from the inside out.

This classic soup transforms leftover holiday turkey into a delicious meal that satisfies deep hunger.

Carrots, celery, and herbs mingle with succulent meat, creating layers of wholesome goodness.

Each spoonful promises a burst of homemade comfort that feels like a culinary hug.

Packed with protein and vegetables, this soup offers a nutritious and delightful way to chase away the winter chill.

Grab a ladle and dive into this soul-warming recipe that turns simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Hearty Turkey Soup

• Onion: Builds a deep, savory foundation with sweet undertones and rich flavor profile.
• Garlic: Adds intense depth and aromatic complexity to soup's overall taste.
• Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant orange color to the soup.
• Celery: Contributes delicate herbal notes and crisp vegetable texture.

• Cooked Turkey: Provides lean protein and transforms leftover meat into a hearty meal.
• Frozen Peas: Adds bright green color and fresh, sweet burst of vegetable nutrition.
• Green Beans: Offers tender crunch and additional vegetable dimension to soup.

• Thyme: Introduces earthy, slightly minty woodland flavor to complement turkey.
• Parsley: Delivers fresh, clean herbal brightness and beautiful green garnish.
• Rosemary: Infuses robust, piney Mediterranean essence to soup's profile.
• Bay Leaf: Releases subtle woodsy undertones during simmering process.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances and balances overall seasoning of the soup.
• Turkey Broth: Creates rich, deep liquid base with authentic poultry essence.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens flavors and adds tangy, zesty finish to soup.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking medium and underlying fruity undertone.

Tools to Simmer and Serve Turkey Soup

• Large pot: Perfect for creating a big batch of hearty soup, with enough space to sauté vegetables and simmer everything together.
• Chef's knife: Sharp blade for chopping onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and potatoes with precision.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for safe and easy vegetable preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Essential for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add the right amount of herbs and seasonings.
• Ladle: Great for serving the soup into bowls without making a mess.

How to Make a Comforting Turkey Soup

• Fire Up the Flavor Base

Warm olive oil in a hefty pot over medium flame. Toss in chopped onions, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and diced celery. Let these veggies dance and soften for about 5-7 minutes, releasing their delicious aromas.

• Infuse with Herbs and Liquid Gold

Sprinkle in thyme, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Pour turkey broth into the pot and drop in a bay leaf. Crank up the heat and bring everything to a vigorous boil.

• Simmer and Transform

Drop diced potatoes into the bubbling mixture. Lower the heat and let the soup gently simmer for 10-15 minutes until potatoes become tender and silky.

• Welcome the Protein and Greens

Mix in shredded turkey meat and toss in frozen peas or green beans. Allow everything to mingle and warm through for another 5 minutes.

• Final Flourish

Fish out the bay leaf. Splash in a bit of lemon juice for brightness. Give a quick taste and tweak seasonings if needed. Scatter fresh parsley on top and serve piping hot alongside a crusty bread slice.

Flavor Boosts for Turkey Soup Perfection

• Refrigerate leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor preservation and easy meal prep.
• Freeze soup without potatoes for best texture; when reheating, add fresh potatoes to maintain their perfect consistency.
• Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets for a keto-friendly version that keeps the hearty soup feeling without extra carbohydrates.
• Prepare soup base in advance and add fresh turkey and greens just before serving to keep ingredients vibrant and prevent overcooking.
• Swap turkey with rotisserie chicken, shredded beef, or white beans for different protein variations that match your dietary preferences.

Serving Ideas That Suit Turkey Soup Well

• Hearty Bread Companion: Slice up a rustic sourdough or warm ciabatta to soak up the delicious broth, adding extra texture and flavor to each spoonful.
• Creamy Topping Twist: Dollop a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top for a tangy, rich finish that balances the savory soup perfectly.
• Herb Sprinkle Magic: Chop fresh herbs like chives, dill, or extra parsley to scatter over the soup, bringing a bright, fresh note that elevates the entire dish.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Grate some sharp parmesan or crumble feta cheese on top to add a salty, complex layer that complements the turkey and vegetables.

Keeping Turkey Soup Tasty for Another Day

• Store leftover turkey soup in airtight containers, keeping them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for a quick future meal. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth if the soup seems too thick, ensuring even heating and maintaining original texture.
• Divide soup into individual serving sizes before storing. This approach allows you to defrost only the amount needed, reducing waste and keeping the remaining soup fresher for longer periods.

Hearty Turkey Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Turkey Soup emerges as a comforting classic, blending succulent leftover turkey with garden-fresh vegetables in a rich, aromatic broth. Warming bowls promise pure satisfaction, inviting you to savor each spoonful of homemade goodness.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (1.4 l) turkey or chicken broth
• 2 cups (300 g) cooked turkey, shredded or diced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 cup (150 g) potatoes, diced (or 1 cup cooked rice or pasta)
• 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas or green beans (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Vegetable Foundation: In a large pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in olive oil over medium heat until they become translucent and tender, releasing their aromatic essence.
2. Herbal Infusion: Incorporate thyme, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper, then pour in turkey broth and add the bay leaf, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify as the liquid reaches a rolling boil.
3. Starch and Simmer: Introduce diced potatoes into the bubbling broth, reducing heat to a gentle simmer and allowing the potatoes to become fork-tender, absorbing the rich herbal notes.
4. Protein and Greens Integration: Fold in pre-cooked turkey and frozen peas or green beans, letting them warm through and intermingle with the soup’s robust profile, creating a harmonious blend of textures and temperatures.
5. Final Refinement: Discard the bay leaf, brighten the soup with a splash of lemon juice, fine-tune seasoning to personal preference, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving alongside crusty, rustic bread.

Notes

• Choose crisp vegetables and high-quality turkey for the most flavorful soup base.
• Avoid overcooking vegetables to maintain their nutrients and prevent mushy texture.
• Easily substitute turkey with chicken, rotisserie meat, or plant-based protein for dietary preferences.
• Add a splash of white wine or a tablespoon of herbs de Provence during sautéing to elevate the soup’s overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg