Crockpot Turkey Soup: A Delicious Way to Use Leftover Turkey Carcass

Leftover turkey soup is the perfect crockpot meal in a bowl. It is a great way to repurpose your leftover parts to make another wonderful and delicious dish. Nothing goes to waste!.

Homemade turkey is a real treat. Even though a turkey dinner is delicious, the leftovers make for the best additional meals. Turkey sandwiches and turkey salad are two great examples.

But there is one leftover recipe that is simply the best: turkey soup! It’s tasty, simple to prepare, and freezes incredibly well. This soup is the ideal recipe to make a large batch so that your turkey will continue to feed you. Long after that first meal is done!.

It is most definitely one of the best things to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers. But you don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving to try this recipe for leftover turkey soup—it’s delicious all year round!

Thanksgiving or Christmas just passed, and you’re left with a turkey carcass and a fridge full of leftover turkey meat. What now? Well, instead of letting those precious ingredients go to waste, why not whip up a hearty and flavorful crockpot turkey soup? This recipe is the perfect way to use up those leftovers and create a comforting and satisfying meal that the whole family will love

Why Crockpot Turkey Soup?

There are many reasons why this crockpot turkey soup recipe is a winner:

  • It’s easy to make. Simply toss all the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do its magic. No need to stand over a hot stove or constantly stir.
  • It’s perfect for busy weeknights. You can throw everything together in the morning before work, and come home to a delicious and ready-to-eat meal.
  • It’s a great way to use up leftovers. This recipe is a fantastic way to prevent food waste and give new life to your leftover turkey carcass and meat.
  • It’s incredibly versatile. You can easily customize this recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables, spices, or noodles.
  • It’s budget-friendly. This recipe uses mostly affordable ingredients, making it a great option for families on a tight budget.

Ingredients for Crockpot Turkey Soup

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious crockpot turkey soup:

  • Turkey carcass: The star of the show! This will provide the base for your flavorful broth.
  • Vegetables: Onions, carrots, celery, and garlic add depth and flavor to the soup.
  • Spices: Salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and bay leaves enhance the taste of the broth.
  • Chicken broth: This will provide the liquid base for the soup.
  • Leftover turkey meat: Shredded or diced turkey meat adds protein and texture to the soup.
  • Noodles: Egg noodles, rice, or even pasta shells can be added for a heartier soup.
  • Fresh parsley: A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a bright and fresh flavor to the finished soup.

How to Make Crockpot Turkey Soup

Making this crockpot turkey soup is as simple as 1. 2. 3:

  1. Prepare the turkey carcass: Place the turkey carcass in your slow cooker. Add the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and bay leaves. Pour in the chicken broth and make sure the carcass is fully submerged.
  2. Cook on low: Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 8-10 hours. This will allow the flavors to meld and the turkey carcass to release its delicious juices.
  3. Strain and shred: Once the cooking time is complete, carefully strain the broth and discard the solids. Shred the leftover turkey meat and set it aside.
  4. Add remaining ingredients: Return the broth to the slow cooker and add the shredded turkey, noodles, and any other desired vegetables. Cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
  5. Serve and enjoy: Garnish your soup with fresh parsley and serve it hot with crusty bread for a satisfying and comforting meal.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Crockpot Turkey Soup

Here are a few tips and tricks to make your crockpot turkey soup even better:

  • Brown the turkey meat: For added flavor, brown the shredded turkey meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker.
  • Add additional vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to your soup, such as potatoes, green beans, or corn.
  • Use different noodles: Experiment with different types of noodles, such as egg noodles, rice noodles, or even tortellini.
  • Season to taste: Taste your soup before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed.
  • Top it off: Add a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, or a few oyster crackers for an extra touch of flavor and texture.

Leftover Turkey Soup: A Versatile Dish

This crockpot turkey soup is not just a delicious meal, but also a versatile one. Here are a few ways you can enjoy it:

  • Serve it as a main course: This soup is hearty and filling enough to be served as a main course for lunch or dinner.
  • Pair it with a salad or sandwich: This soup makes a great accompaniment to a light salad or a simple sandwich.
  • Freeze it for later: This soup freezes well, making it a great option for meal prep or for those nights when you don’t have time to cook.

So there you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for crockpot turkey soup that is perfect for using up leftover turkey carcass and meat. This recipe is easy to make, budget-friendly, and incredibly versatile. Give it a try and see for yourself why this is a recipe that you’ll want to make again and again.

How To Make Slow Cooker Turkey Soup

After your turkey dinner, you can make this delicious soup by simply adding all the ingredients to your crockpot. No need to worry about storing or dealing with the bones if you take this route.

If you’re too exhausted from preparing and cleaning up after a large Thanksgiving dinner, don’t worry! You can store any leftover turkey in the refrigerator and prepare this the following morning.

Still exhausted the next day? Just freeze your leftover carcass and make this dish whenever your schedule allows.

To make this slow cooker soup, start by adding the turkey carcass to your crockpot. A small crack here and there could make the bones fit more snugly in your slow cooker and allow some of the nutritious bone marrow to seep out.

No need to break them up too small, your crockpot will handle that part for you. They will naturally break down a little during the cooking process.

Add cut-up vegetables, seasonings, and fresh herbs with the turkey parts. Fill slow cooker with water to about one inch from the top of the rim. Cover and cook for 10-12 hours. Thats it!.

This is a great time to use up whatever vegetables that you may have laying around. For example, when I make this after a holiday, I use veggies leftover from my crudites appetizer. This makes both the soup and clean-up even easier!.

Once done cooking, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth to remove bones. You now have a wonderful and healthy homemade turkey broth.

Pro tip: Cut up older celery, onion, and carrots before they go bad and freeze them. This way they are always on hand and no vegetables go to waste.

You can customize your slow cooker turkey soup in almost any way once it’s ready to eat. After straining, you can immediately return it to the slow cooker if you intend to use it right away.

Adding in vegetables and leftover turkey meat is one fantastic and healthy soup option. A popular addition to turkey noodle soup is cooked wide egg noodles, and slow cooker turkey rice soup tastes great with cooked brown rice or cauliflower rice as well. Serving as a simple, healthy broth is a great option too!.

An excellent accompaniment to this filling soup would be a crisp garden salad or a thick slice of bread. Sweet corn spoonbread, garlic parmesan mushrooms, or lightly steamed green beans are also the perfect accompaniments.

If you love this recipe, please let me know in the comment section below!

Store leftovers of your delicious turkey soup in an airtight container. This can be accomplished in one large container or in individual serving-sized containers.

Leftover soup will remain fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Soups are great for freezing for up to six months if you want to store them for a longer period of time. For best results, do not freeze soup with pasta or rice in it.

  • There are pieces of onion, celery, and carrots in this simple recipe for turkey soup. If you’re feeling particularly lazy, you can buy pre-cut vegetables if you don’t already have them chopped. Both fresh and frozen work equally well.
  • Green chili bake and turkey buffalo dip are two more delicious ways to use up leftover turkey.
  • If your guests will be eating at different times, this soup is excellent. You can leave it in your slow cooker for a few hours on the warm setting. Just before serving, add the cooked noodles to each bowl of slow cooker turkey noodle soup separately. This will keep the noodles from becoming mushy.
  • I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I prefer to buy my liners in bulk since the cost per piece is lower.
  • Do you need a new crock pot? I adore mine!

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❓❔Why Use A Slow Cooker For This Dish

Slow Cookers are just made for this type of soup. A whole turkey carcass can be cooked slowly and low to extract all of the nutrients and flavors. Leftover meat pieces stuck to the bone are a bonus and will fall off the bone during cooking. Let your slow cooker handle the details as your soup cooks.

crockpot turkey soup with carcass

In addition to leftover turkey, you will need to add the following to your slow cooker:

How to Make Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Carcass Soup | Thanksgiving Recipes | Allrecipes.com

FAQ

Should I roast the turkey carcass before making soup?

Roasting the turkey bones adds a deep, rich, savory flavor that enhances the stock. Browning the vegetables further adds complex richness and depth.

How long can you keep a turkey carcass for soup?

If properly stored in the refrigerator, a turkey carcass will last for up to 1 week. Perfect for making turkey soup from a carcass! How long is turkey soup good for? Leftover turkey noodle soup will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Why is my turkey soup so bland?

Not Adding Acid If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl.

How do you make turkey soup less bland?

You can add more herbs and different spices to add more flavor to turkey soup, but sometimes a bit of salt is all you need. The other clincher is cooking the carcass low and slow to get as much flavor from the roast turkey as possible. Try sauteeing your vegetables in a bit of olive oil before adding to the soup.

Can you make turkey carcass soup in a crock pot?

And when that soup is made with a turkey carcass, it’s even better. The carcass is loaded with flavor, and it gives the soup a rich and hearty taste. Making turkey carcass soup in the crock pot is easy and stress-free. Simply throw the carcass in the pot with some vegetables, broth, and spices, and let it cook all day.

Can one have turkey and carrots?

Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.

How do you make Turkey Soup from turkey carcass?

Broth: Turkey broth is traditionally used in turkey soup, make it homemade from the turkey carcass. Or swap in chicken or vegetable broth. Spices: Add flavor to the soup with a combination of rosemary, thyme, dried basil, bay leaves, black pepper, kosher salt, and fresh parsley. Swap in Italian seasoning or poultry seasoning.

What is turkey carcass soup?

A: Turkey carcass soup is a great way to use up leftover turkey meat and bones, and it is also a very economical way to make a delicious and nutritious soup. The soup is also high in protein and calcium, and it is a good source of vitamins and minerals. Q: How do I make turkey carcass soup?

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