Leftover Turkey Soup
on Sep 08, 2022, Updated Oct 22, 2023
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Save the turkey carcass from your Thanksgiving dinner and transform it into a delicious soup! This Leftover Turkey soup is perfectly seasoned and full of flavor. It features veggies, noodles, and a savory broth.
Simmering the turkey carcass for two hours produces a rich and flavorful soup. Once you’ve tasted it, you’ll want to make this every year!
What Is A Turkey Carcass?
After roasting a turkey and cutting away the bulk of the meat, you are left with the carcass or bones of the bird and small amounts of leftover meat. Simmering the carcass with a mixture of veggies and seasonings is a great way to make a flavorful broth or soup. Plus, you don’t waste anything.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- olive oil
- garlic
- onion
- celery stalks
- carrots
- water
- turkey carcass
- chicken bouillon cubes
- bay leaves
- fresh parsley
- pasta noodles of your choice
- salt and pepper
(Note: Full recipe is at the bottom of the post)
How to Make Leftover Turkey Soup
- Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or a Dutch oven. Add the garlic, onions, celery, carrots, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for about 5-6 minutes until browned. Then pour in 6 cups of water.
- Add the turkey carcass, chicken bouillon, bay leaves and parsley. Add the remaining water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- When the soup begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours. After 2 hours, use tongs to remove the meat from the carcass and add it to the soup.
- Remove the turkey carcass from the soup and set it aside to cool.
- Add the pasta or noodles to the soup and cook until tender.
- Remove any remaining meat from the turkey carcass and add it to the soup.
- Remove the bay leaves and any small pieces of bones, skin, or cartilage from the soup.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper if necessary, and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- The carcass can be stored in the fridge for about 5 days or in the freezer for 4-6 weeks until you are ready to make the soup.
- Make this soup your own by adding more veggies. Frozen peas, chopped zucchini, and diced potatoes are good options.
- The broth can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, add the pasta and cook until tender.
- If you don’t have a turkey carcass, you can make the soup with turkey bones from drumsticks, wings, or just leftover turkey meat. If using turkey meat, replace the water with an equal amount of chicken broth and exclude the bouillon. Check the taste as the soup may or may not need additional salt.
How To Serve Leftover Turkey Soup
This soup is hearty enough to serve as a main dish. Enjoy it with your favorite crackers, thick slices of bread, or a fresh garden salad.
How To Store Leftover Turkey Soup
Leftovers should be cooled to room temperature, placed in an airtight container, and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can You Freeze Leftover Turkey Soup?
Yes. Let the leftovers cool to room temperature and then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Be sure to leave at least half an inch of headspace as the liquid will expand. Leftover turkey soup can be frozen for up to 1 month and frozen leftovers should be defrosted in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How To Reheat Leftover Turkey Soup
Leftovers can be reheated over low heat on the stovetop until hot, or in the microwave at reduced power.
Turkey Carcass Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 onion, minced
- 4 celery stalks, diced
- 4 large carrots, diced
- 12 cups water
- 1 turkey carcass
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- 16 ounces pasta noodles of your choice
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or a Dutch oven. Add the garlic, onions, celery, carrots, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for about 5-6 minutes until browned. Then pour in 6 cups of water.
- Add the turkey carcass, chicken bouillon, bay leaves and parsley. Add the remaining water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- When the soup begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours. After 2 hours, use tongs to remove the meat from the carcass and add it to the soup.
- Remove the turkey carcass from the soup and set it aside to cool.
- Add the pasta or noodles to the soup and cook until tender.
- Remove any remaining meat from the turkey carcass and add it to the soup.
- Remove the bay leaves and any small pieces of bones, skin, or cartilage from the soup.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper if necessary, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
