Leftover Turkey Soup: Two Delicious Ways to Repurpose Your Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving leftovers are a beautiful thing. They offer a chance to revisit the flavors of the holiday and stretch your culinary creativity. If you’re looking for the perfect way to use up leftover turkey, look no further than a comforting bowl of soup. Here, we’ll explore two fantastic recipes to transform your Thanksgiving turkey into a warm and satisfying meal:

1. Leftover Turkey Soup with a Rich Broth (from I Heart Naptime):

This recipe focuses on a rich broth made with leftover turkey bones, vegetables and herbs. The addition of noodles, fresh vegetables, and cooked turkey meat creates a hearty and flavorful soup that’s perfect for a cold winter day.

Key Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey bones and meat
• Carrots, celery, and onion
• Fresh thyme or dried thyme
• Garlic powder, salt, and pepper
• Chicken broth or homemade turkey stock
• Uncooked elbow noodles or egg noodles

Steps:

1. Cook the vegetables: Sauté chopped carrots, celery, and onion in butter until softened.
2. Add liquids: Pour in chicken broth or homemade turkey stock and water, then bring to a boil.
3. Mix in noodles and meat: Stir in uncooked noodles, cooked turkey meat, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil again and cook until noodles are done.
4. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with a side of crusty bread.

2. Mom’s Turkey Soup: A Classic Comfort Food (from Simply Recipes):

This recipe features a simple yet flavorful broth made from the turkey carcass and vegetables. The addition of chopped vegetables noodles or rice and leftover turkey meat creates a classic comfort food that’s sure to please everyone at the table.

Key Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey carcass
• Cold water
• Onion, carrots, celery, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Butter or turkey fat
• Chopped carrots, onion, and celery
• Garlic
• Leftover turkey stock
• Fresh parsley leaves
• Poultry seasoning
• Egg noodles or dry rice (optional)
• Leftover chopped or shredded cooked turkey meat

Steps:

1. Make the turkey stock: Place the turkey carcass, vegetables, and drippings in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 4 hours. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Strain the stock and discard the solids.
2. Sauté the vegetables: Heat butter or turkey fat in a large pot and sauté chopped carrots, onion, and celery until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the stock and seasonings: Pour in the turkey stock, add parsley, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Simmer until vegetables are cooked through.
4. Add the noodles or rice and turkey meat: If using, add noodles or rice and cook until done. Stir in leftover turkey meat and cook for another minute to warm through.
5. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy.

Tips and Variations:

• Storage: Both soups can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Leftover Turkey Soup (from I Heart Naptime) can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop. For Mom’s Turkey Soup, it’s recommended to cook the noodles or rice separately and add them to the reheated soup just before serving.
• Substitutions: Feel free to experiment with different vegetables, herbs, and spices to customize the flavor of your soup. You can also use leftover chicken or oven-roasted chicken in place of turkey.
• Creamy twist: For a richer texture, try adding a roux or a mixture of flour and half-and-half to either recipe. You can also stir in some heavy cream near the end of cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How long after cooking turkey can you make soup? You can make soup with leftover turkey for up to 3-4 days after cooking.
• What to serve with turkey soup? Crusty bread, cornbread, or leftover dinner rolls make excellent accompaniments.
• What are some other leftover turkey recipes? Casseroles, breakfast casseroles, quiche, sandwiches, and salads are all great ways to use up leftover turkey.

Additional Resources:

• I Heart Naptime: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/leftover-turkey-soup/
• Simply Recipes: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/moms_turkey_soup/

With these two delicious recipes and some helpful tips, you’re sure to create a satisfying and flavorful turkey soup that will warm your heart and body. So gather your leftover turkey and get ready to enjoy the bounty of Thanksgiving all over again!