This hearty Turkey Noodle Soup recipe is warm, comforting, and simple to make. It makes a great lunch on a chilly day, or you can have it for dinner with a sandwich or some fresh bread. A simple yet delicious way to utilize leftover turkey from your holiday meals is with our recipe for turkey soup.
There are so many great ways to use leftover turkey that don’t taste like leftovers. You could try anything from our Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich to Leftover Turkey in Gravy or Chicken Pot Pie with Turkey!
Everyone enjoys a good, simple soup, especially after the holidays when you’ve had plenty of time to prepare. We love this Turkey Soup recipe because it’s:
This filling and satisfying soup is packed with nutrients thanks to its lean protein and abundance of vegetables. It’s also very simple to make with whatever you already have on hand.
To make this a gluten-free soup, replace the egg noodles with any small pasta (rotini, orzo, elbows, Israeli couscous), or use rice or gluten-free pasta. To customize the broth to your desired taste, you can add fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary, or even one teaspoon of turmeric.
Add more vegetables, whatever you have on hand (peas, broccoli, corn, and mushrooms) to extend the recipe even further and serve a larger group of people or turn it into a full meal.
Turkey noodle soup is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for a chilly day. It’s also a great way to use up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving or Christmas. In this article, we’ll share two delicious turkey noodle soup recipes that are sure to please everyone at the table.
Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup from Culinary Hill
This recipe from Culinary Hill is simple and easy to make, and it’s packed with flavor. It’s also a great way to use up leftover vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- 8 cups (2 quarts) chicken broth or turkey broth
- 3 cups cooked turkey, chopped or shredded
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced, or ½ teaspoon dried
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 ounces wide egg noodles
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh parsley, minced, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in broth, turkey, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and cook until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in noodles and cook until tender, about 5 minutes longer. Remove from heat, season to taste with salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh parsley.
Turkey Noodle Soup from Natasha’s Kitchen
This recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen is another great option for using up leftover turkey. It’s also a bit heartier than the Culinary Hill recipe, thanks to the addition of potatoes.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced into circles
- 2 large sticks of celery, finely diced
- 1 small/medium onion, finely diced
- 8 cups turkey stock, or chicken or vegetable
- 4 cups water
- 4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups egg noodle pasta, or use 3/4 cup small pasta
- 3 cups leftover turkey meat, white and/or dark meat
- 1 garlic clove, pressed or grated
Instructions:
- Set a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once oil is hot, add onions, carrots, and celery and sauté until softened and golden, stirring frequently, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add broth, water, potatoes, bay leaf, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil and continue cooking at a medium boil for 10 minutes.
- Add pasta and turkey and cook for 5 minutes or until pasta and potatoes are tender. The saltiness of the turkey meat and stock will determine how much salt to add so season with more salt and pepper to taste.
- Press in 1 garlic clove and stir in parsley then immediately remove from heat.
- Discard the bay leaves and serve garnished with more parsley if desired.
Tips for Making Turkey Noodle Soup
- Use a good quality turkey broth or chicken broth for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcook the noodles, or they will become mushy.
- Add your favorite vegetables to the soup, such as carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, or peas.
- Season the soup to taste with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs.
- Garnish the soup with fresh parsley or chives before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does turkey noodle soup last in the refrigerator?
Turkey noodle soup will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Can I freeze turkey noodle soup?
Yes, you can freeze turkey noodle soup for up to 3 months. However, it is best to omit the noodles before freezing, as they can become mushy when reheated.
What can I serve with turkey noodle soup?
Turkey noodle soup is a hearty meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of bread, crackers, or a salad.
What are some other ways to use leftover turkey?
Leftover turkey can be used in a variety of dishes, such as turkey sandwiches, turkey salad, turkey pot pie, or turkey chili.
Turkey noodle soup is a delicious and easy-to-make soup that’s perfect for a cold day. It’s also a great way to use up leftover turkey. We hope you enjoy these two recipes!
How to Make Turkey Noodle Soup
- Chop: Dice the onion and celery, and slice the carrots and potatoes into bite-sized wedges.
- Sauté: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a big pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When heated, add the celery, carrots, and onions and sauté until they are golden and soft.
- Add the potatoes, water, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper, and bring to a boil. Bring to a boil and cook for ten minutes at a medium boil.
- Put Pasta Here Press in 1 garlic clove and stir in parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish – Remove from heat and discard the bay leaves. Garnish with more parsley if desired.
Like most soups, if time allows, let the soup rest for a while after cooking. This allows the ingredients to really infuse into the broth, enhancing the flavor. This step is optional- the soup is delicious right off the stovetop.
Absolutely! I always cook more turkey than I need, and we always have guests during the holidays. Make your batch of Turkey Noodle Soup as big as you need. You’ll just need a bigger pot.
Either (or both). There is no wrong answer. Either way, I chop or shred the meat into a manageable size for a spoon.
Before serving, I find it helpful to cook the noodles separately and add them to each bowl if I’m making a big batch and may freeze some for later use. Pasta absorbs a lot of liquid, so if you simmer it for too long or freeze it, the texture may change.
You sure can! Add the ingredients (minus the pasta) to your crockpot and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 4 to 6 hours. Add cooked pasta just before serving.
What to Serve with Turkey Noodle Soup
Similar to our filling Chicken Noodle Soup, this soup is great on its own or as a side dish for:
This recipe tastes even better the next day after all of the flavors have melded. You can enjoy warm turkey soup months after the holidays without having to spend a lot of time cooking a whole turkey because it freezes well for up to three months.
- For refrigeration, allow it to cool fully before placing it in an airtight container and keeping it there for up to three days.
- Freezing: If planning to freeze, I recommend omitting the pasta. After the soup cools to room temperature, divide it into portions and store it in the freezer for up to three months. When freezing, make sure to leave some space above to accommodate expansion.
- To Reheat: Let the soup defrost in the fridge overnight if you’re reheating it from frozen. After defrosting, reheat in a crockpot, microwave, or stovetop until heated through. When reheating, the broth does evaporate, so add more if necessary. If you didn’t add the pasta when storing the soup, you can do so when reheating it according to the recipe.
This recipe is a delicious way to use up leftover turkey without feeling like you’re eating the same meal every day after your holiday feast, as opposed to having turkey sandwiches for days afterwards.
You won’t want to miss these other delicious recipes that taste even better the next day if you enjoy this leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Noodle Soup!