This is the ideal leftover turkey recipe! It’s simple, healthy, and can be made in a slow cooker, instant pot, or on the stove. It’s also delicious and simple to make, making it suitable for paleo, keto, Whole30, or gluten-free diets. Customize with noodles, rice or make it creamy – it’s up to you!.
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There’s nothing worse than eating thanksgiving dinner 4x in a row to use up the leftover turkey. that’s why this leftover turkey is a MUCH better option!.
This isn’t just any leftover turkey soup… it’s the BEST leftover turkey soup. What makes it so good you might ask?.
For maximum flavor, we use actual turkey bone broth (which you can make by following this recipe!), a ton of hearty vegetables, and all that leftover turkey.
This recipe is warm, simple to prepare, and delicious. Depending on the ingredients you use, it can also be made gluten-free or paleo/whole30 friendly. There’s a long list of substitutions below!.
This Crockpot Turkey Breast is the best option if you’re wondering how to cook your turkey. If you’re still organizing your Thanksgiving menu, be sure to also check out these 50 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes!
Turkey soup, a comforting and flavorful dish, is a delightful way to utilize leftover turkey and enjoy a warm, satisfying meal. But how long can this culinary creation safely reside in your refrigerator before it’s time to say goodbye?
The Answer: 3-4 Days
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cooked turkey soup can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This timeframe applies to other cooked soups and stews, regardless of whether they contain meat or not.
Beyond this window, the soup may harbor elevated levels of bacteria, potentially leading to foodborne illness. Bacteria are ubiquitous, present in the air and our food. While small amounts pose no threat, their numbers can multiply over time, reaching a point where they can cause harm.
Refrigeration Tips and Tricks
- Cooling Considerations: The FDA no longer recommends cooling hot food on the counter before refrigeration. Modern refrigerators can safely handle hot food without affecting the temperature of other items.
- Smaller Containers: Dividing large quantities of soup into smaller containers before refrigeration speeds up the cooling process. This allows you to enjoy your soup sooner and frees up space in your refrigerator.
Freezing for Future Feasts
If you find yourself with an abundance of turkey soup, freezing is a fantastic option. Simply portion the soup into smaller containers and pop them into the freezer for extended storage. Frozen turkey soup retains its quality for 2-3 months.
Leftover Cooked Turkey: A Culinary Chameleon
Leftover cooked turkey, the foundation of your delectable soup, can also be safely refrigerated for 3-4 days. However, if you have leftover gravy, be mindful that it has a shorter shelf life of 2 days.
Raw Turkey: A Time-Sensitive Ingredient
Raw turkey, in its uncooked state, is more susceptible to spoilage. It should be refrigerated for only 1-2 days before cooking. If you’re unable to use it within this timeframe, freezing is the safest option.
Here’s a handy table summarizing the safe storage durations for various turkey-related items:
| Item | Refrigerator | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked turkey soup | 3-4 days | 2-3 months |
| Cooked turkey | 3-4 days | 4-6 months |
| Leftover gravy | 2 days | N/A |
| Raw turkey (whole) | 1-2 days | 1 year |
| Raw turkey (pieces) | 1-2 days | 9 months |
| Raw turkey (giblets) | 1-2 days | 3-4 months |
By adhering to these guidelines, you can confidently enjoy your turkey soup, knowing it’s both delicious and safe. And when you’re ready for a change of pace, simply freeze your leftover soup for future culinary adventures.
So, go forth and savor your turkey soup, embracing its warmth, flavor, and the knowledge that you’re keeping it safe and delicious.
Substitutions for Leftover Turkey Soup
Here are a few variations you can make to this nutritious soup based on what you have in your pantry or refrigerator.
Meat: You can make this with leftover chicken instead of turkey meat if you’d like. We also have a Chicken Wild Rice Soup recipe!.
Yes, this recipe can be made into a creamy turkey soup by adding 1/4 cup of heavy cream or coconut cream after it has cooked.
Oil: Avocado oil or vegetable oil can be used in place of olive oil .
To make turkey noodle soup, simply mix cooked noodles into the soup right before serving. Or try this Turkey Noodle Soup.
Keto Turkey Soup: Serve this recipe with zucchini noodles and cut the carrots in half if you follow a strict ketogenic diet.
Spicy Turkey Soup: While the soup is cooking, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you want it to be spicy.
In this recipe, we used homemade turkey broth, but you can substitute any type of broth you have on hand, such as chicken or vegetable stock.
Add ins: Quinoa, pasta, brown rice, or noodles all work in this recipe. You can also add zucchini noodles.
Wild Rice: If you like wild rice, try our Turkey Wild Rice Soup!
Zucchini Noodles: I suggest adding the zucchini noodles to the bowl rather than the slow cooker pot for optimal results. This way your zucchini noodles/spinach won’t get soggy if you eat leftovers. You can also sub pasta for zucchini noodles.
Veggies: You can add peas, potatoes, or even spinach to this recipe!
Herbs: You can use any herbs you like in this recipe, but I like to add a bay leaf and a little chopped fresh rosemary.
Low Sodium: Make sure to check your canned beans or broth and either omit the salt from the recipe or add it to taste at the end. Look for low or no salt added beans/broth.
Storing & Serving this Easy Turkey Soup Recipe
As the soup sits, the rice/zoodles will absorb the broth/liquid and become thicker. Don’t worry! Just add more broth when you’re ready to eat your leftovers.
A big slice of crusty bread and lots of parmesan cheese are the perfect accompaniment to this soup! A dash of fresh basil and cracked black pepper round out the flavor profile.
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
FAQ
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