Turkey Sweet Potato Soup
A hearty and flavorful turkey sweet potato soup featuring tender vegetables, smoky bacon, and aromatic herbs, perfect for cozy dinners or family meals.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cubed peeled sweet potatoes ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1 (10 1/2 oz) can condensed chicken broth ⓘ
- 2 cups cubed cooked turkey ⓘ
- 1 cup frozen sweet peas ⓘ
- 6 slices bacon ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch ⓘ
- 2 cups milk ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine sweet potatoes, celery, onion, marjoram, thyme, cayenne pepper, water, and chicken broth.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in cooked turkey, sweet peas, and crumbled bacon.
- In a small bowl, blend together cornstarch and milk.
- Slowly stir the cornstarch mixture into the soup.
- Cook and stir until the soup thickens and becomes bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, you can substitute half of the milk with heavy cream. If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper to taste or add a dash of hot sauce. Fresh herbs like parsley can be added for garnish to enhance flavor. Using leftover turkey from Aunt Ange's Chicken can save time and add great flavor to the soup.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread or a side salad to complement the flavors. A light arugula salad can provide a fresh contrast. For a complete meal, consider pairing with Chicken With Spinach or a simple grilled cheese sandwich. This soup is perfect for cozy evenings or as a warm lunch.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, use a stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water or milk to loosen the consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Turkey Sweet Potato Soup contains roughly 621 calories, with 17g protein, 105g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (107% of the Daily Value), iron (79% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (76% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 924mg per serving (40% 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 fresh sweet potatoes instead of canned?
Yes, using fresh sweet potatoes is recommended for the best flavor. Just peel and cube them, then follow the recipe as directed. Fresh sweet potatoes will provide a firmer texture and enhance the overall taste of the soup.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! This soup can be made a day in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator and reheat when ready to serve. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it even tastier the next day.
Is there a vegetarian version of this soup?
Yes, you can make a vegetarian version by omitting the turkey and bacon. Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth, and consider adding beans or lentils for protein. This will maintain the heartiness of the soup while keeping it plant-based.
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).