Turkey Soup(Leftover Turkey)
A hearty turkey soup packed with vegetables, rice, and flavorful spices, perfect for using leftover turkey and comforting family meals.
Ingredients
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped or shredded carrots ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 3 apples, peeled and chopped ⓘ
- 1 quart tomatoes or tomato juice ⓘ
- 5 cups turkey stock or bouillon ⓘ
- 1/3 cup flour ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cold water ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder ⓘ
- dash of nutmeg or mace ⓘ
- 2 or 3 whole cloves ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot and sauté chopped onion, carrots, and celery until the celery and onion are limp and transparent.
- Add chopped green peppers, chopped apples, tomato juice, turkey stock, flour mixed with cold water, curry powder, nutmeg, whole cloves, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer until all vegetables are done, about 1 to 2 hours on low heat.
- Remove the whole cloves from the soup.
- Add cooked rice and cooked bite-sized turkey pieces to the soup.
- Heat thoroughly and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider sautéing garlic or ginger along with the vegetables. You can substitute the curry powder with a blend of cumin and coriander for a different spice profile. If you're short on turkey stock, chicken broth works well. Adjust the consistency by adding more water or stock if needed.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the turkey soup with crusty bread or over a bed of greens for a complete meal. A sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme can enhance the presentation and flavor. This dish also pairs beautifully with Cheddar And Turkey Pie for a comforting dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Cool the soup completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to restore the consistency and heat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Turkey Soup(Leftover Turkey) contains roughly 1270 calories, with 28g protein, 191g carbohydrates, and 49g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (116% of the Daily Value), iron (89% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (62% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1668mg per serving (73% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other vegetables in this soup?
Absolutely! Feel free to include vegetables like potatoes, corn, or green beans based on your preference or what you have on hand. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure all vegetables are tender.
How can I make this soup thicker?
To thicken the soup, you can increase the amount of flour mixed with water, or add a slurry made from cornstarch and water. Alternatively, blending a portion of the soup can also create a thicker consistency.
Is this recipe suitable for freezing?
Yes, this turkey soup freezes well. Ensure it’s cooled completely before freezing to preserve texture. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stove.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).