This creamy vegetable, turkey, rice soup is the best leftover turkey soup ever. I always keep the recipe on hand for after holiday meals like Thanksgiving!.
I know you are probably knee deep in pie crust, recipe prep, and chaotic stress right now. And I don’t want to interrupt you.
But make a commitment to yourself that you will save this recipe and come back to it the day after Thanksgiving—I assure you that you won’t want to miss the opportunity to use some of those priceless leftover turkey for this incredibly flavorful soup.
It is one of the best soups EVER. Good news: in the off-turkey season, it works great with cooked chicken. However, I have to say that I like it better with turkey. I don’t know why. It’s definitely a placebo effect, but nonetheless, this is one of my favorite ways to use leftover turkey.
And that’s saying a lot considering that this girl primarily looks forward to leftover turkey sandwiches on homemade rolls every Thanksgiving.
Are you looking for a way to use up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving or any other time of year? Look no further than this creamy turkey soup recipe! This comforting and flavorful soup is perfect for a cold winter day and it’s easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
One-Pot Creamy Turkey Soup
This recipe from Hungry Happens is a quick and easy way to make a delicious creamy turkey soup. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight meal, and it’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter or olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 4 celery stalks, diced
- 2 medium large carrots, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 5 cups low sodium turkey or chicken broth
- 2 cups milk or half + half
- 1 cup dry orzo
- 3/4 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1-2 tsp Italian herb blendsalt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups leftover turkey, chopped
Instructions:
- In a large pot, melt your butter on medium heat and saute the onions, carrots, celery until soften, but not brown. Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle over the flour and mix well to form ‘paste’. Gradually add in 2 cups of the broth and the milk, while stirring constantly so the mixture stays thick.
- Add in the remaining 3 cups broth, orzo, seasonings and turkey pieces. Bring back to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. Half cover the pot and allow to cook for another 10 minutes (stirring occasionally), or until the pasta is cooked al dente.
Creamy Turkey Soup Recipe
This recipe from Food.com is another great option for making creamy turkey soup. It’s a bit more involved than the first recipe, but it’s still relatively easy to make.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup chopped green onion
- 2 cups frozen sliced carrots, thawed and drained
- 1/4 cup flour
- 5 cups turkey broth, divided (or chicken bouillon)
- 2 cups milk or 2 cups cream
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3 cups chopped cooked turkey
- 8 ounces noodles (fusilli, rotini or similar)
Instructions:
- Saute onions and carrots in butter until soft, not brown.
- Add flour and mix well.
- Gradually add 2 cups broth and milk.
- Cook and stir until it thickens.
- Stir in remaining 3 cups broth, and all remaining ingredients.
- Simmer 10-12 minutes until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.
Tips for Making Creamy Turkey Soup
- Use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or any other time of year.
- If you don’t have leftover turkey, you can use cooked chicken or even ground beef.
- You can use any type of pasta you like, such as orzo, egg noodles, or even rice.
- If you want a thicker soup, you can add a cornstarch slurry. To make a cornstarch slurry, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Then, add the slurry to the soup and cook until thickened.
- You can garnish your soup with fresh parsley, chopped chives, or a dollop of sour cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I freeze creamy turkey soup? Yes, you can freeze creamy turkey soup for up to 3 months. Thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- How do I reheat creamy turkey soup? You can reheat creamy turkey soup on the stovetop or in the microwave. If reheating on the stovetop, be sure to heat the soup slowly over low heat. If reheating in the microwave, heat the soup in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
- Can I make creamy turkey soup in a slow cooker? Yes, you can make creamy turkey soup in a slow cooker. Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Additional Resources
- Creamy Turkey Soup (Crock Pot): https://www.food.com/recipe/creamy-turkey-soup-crock-pot-115086
- The Best Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup: https://www.food.com/recipe/the-best-ever-creamy-turkey-noodle-soup-115085
Creamy turkey soup is a delicious and easy-to-make soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a comforting and flavorful meal that will please everyone at the table So next time you have leftover turkey, be sure to give this recipe a try!
What kind of rice to use for leftover turkey soup
Once a little broth is added (leftover turkey stock? use it!), in goes the rice. Now, this part is open to wild interpretation. Use white rice if that’s all you have, but this turkey soup tastes great served over hearty brown rice or a combination of brown and wild rice.
I like to use a blend of brown rice that includes both wild rice and several types of brown rice. I believe I found it at Costco, but you can look through the rice section to find a blend that suits your needs, and then modify the simmering time to take into consideration the type of rice you choose.
Brown and wild rices will take longer to cook than white rice.