Cozy Turkey Soup Recipe: Healthy & Ready in 30 Minutes!

If you’re anything like me, you’re always wondering what to do with leftover turkey after a big holiday meal. Honestly, there’s only so many turkey sandwiches one can eat, right? That’s exactly why I love this easy turkey soup recipe — it’s comforting, packed with healthy veggies, and a delicious way to make the most of your leftover turkey.

I still remember the first time I made turkey soup from scratch. I was staring at the leftover turkey carcass and the big bowl of meat in the fridge, thinking, “There has to be a better way to use this up.” Thirty minutes later, the kitchen smelled amazing, and my family was slurping up every spoonful.

Don’t worry if you’ve never made homemade soup — I’ll walk you through every step. You’ll learn how to make flavorful stock, what veggies work best, and how to keep the turkey meat tender, never dry. So grab your pot — let’s make leftover turkey soup you’ll actually look forward to!

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Soup Recipe

This homemade turkey soup is everything you want in a comforting bowl — light but hearty, full of flavor, and perfect for the whole family.

• ✅ Fast & Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes — no complicated steps!
• ✅ Healthy & Nourishing: Loaded with lean turkey meat, carrots, celery, and herbs.
• ✅ Kid-Friendly: It’s mild, cozy, and great for picky eaters.
• ✅ Flexible: Works with leftover chicken too, not just turkey.
• ✅ Pantry Staples: Uses ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make the best leftover turkey soup recipe:

For the Soup:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups turkey stock or chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
• 2 cups cooked leftover turkey meat, shredded or diced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 2 tablespoons fresh)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 cup cooked wild rice, brown rice, or egg noodles
• 1–2 cups baby spinach or kale (stir in at the end)
• Fresh lemon juice (for brightness)

Mini Tip:
No turkey stock? No problem! Chicken broth works perfectly. If you have a leftover turkey carcass, simmer it in water for 1–2 hours with onions, carrots, celery, and herbs to make homemade stock.

Ingredient Substitutions

Don’t stress if you’re missing something — here are some easy swaps for this turkey soup recipe:

• Turkey Meat: Leftover chicken works too! Just shred or dice it the same way.
• Rice/Noodles: Use whatever you have — wild rice, brown rice, or egg noodles are all great.
• Veggies: Add corn, peas, diced potatoes, or green beans to use up what’s in your fridge.
• Stock: If you’re short on turkey stock, use all chicken broth instead.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs add brightness, but dried herbs work fine if that’s what you have.

How to Make Turkey Soup

I promise — making leftover turkey soup from scratch is easy and satisfying. Here’s how to do it, step by step.

1. Sauté the Aromatics (5 minutes)

• In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

2. Add Broth & Simmer (15–20 minutes)

• Pour in the turkey stock or chicken broth.
• Add dried thyme, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the veggies are tender.

3. Add the Turkey (5 minutes)

• Stir in the leftover turkey meat and cooked rice or noodles, if using.
• Cook for another 5 minutes, just until heated through. (Don’t overcook the turkey — it can dry out.)

4. Finish & Serve

• Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
• Stir in baby spinach or kale, if you’re adding greens.
• For extra brightness, squeeze in a little fresh lemon juice.
• Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and enjoy!

Expert Tips for Success

✅ Don’t Overcook the Turkey: Add cooked turkey at the end so it stays juicy and tender.
✅ Use Good Stock: A flavorful broth is the backbone of great soup. Homemade is amazing, but store-bought works too!
✅ Taste & Adjust: Always taste before serving — add more salt, pepper, or a splash of lemon juice to boost flavor.
✅ Use Leftovers Wisely: This is the best leftover soup for turkey meat, wild rice, or even veggies you have on hand.
✅ Make It Ahead: Turkey soup tastes even better the next day!

Variations & Add-Ons

Want to change things up? Try these ideas:

• Creamy Turkey Soup: Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or coconut milk for a creamy twist.
• Low-Carb: Skip the rice or noodles and add extra veggies like zucchini or spinach.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
• Asian-Inspired: Stir in a splash of soy sauce, ginger, and green onions for a different flavor.
• Herb Swap: Use rosemary, sage, or dill for extra layers of flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Homemade turkey soup is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it’s also delicious with:

• Crusty bread or a warm baguette.
• Fluffy dinner rolls with butter.
• A simple side salad with vinaigrette.
• Crackers or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top.
• A squeeze of fresh lemon for a pop of flavor.

Storage & Reheating

Fridge: Store leftover turkey soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing.

Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth if needed. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Approximate values:

• Calories: 250
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 20g
• Fat: 8g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sodium: 580mg

Prep, Cook & Total Time

Conclusion

I hope this easy turkey soup recipe brings you the same cozy comfort it brings my family every year. It’s the perfect way to use up leftover turkey, fill your kitchen with delicious smells, and warm you up on a chilly day. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turned out — leave a comment, rate the recipe, or share your favorite twist. Happy cooking and stay cozy!

Turkey Soup Recipe

If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for tasty ways to use up leftover turkey after a big holiday feast. Let’s be real — there are only so many turkey sandwiches you can handle! That’s why I love this easy turkey soup recipe. It’s cozy, loaded with fresh veggies, and the perfect comforting way to turn leftover turkey into something everyone actually looks forward to eating.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 Servings

Course: Dinner, Soup

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Soup:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 3 medium carrots peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks sliced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 8 cups turkey stock or chicken broth homemade or store-bought
• 2 cups cooked leftover turkey meat shredded or diced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 2 tablespoons fresh
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional Add-Ins:
• 1 cup cooked wild rice brown rice, or egg noodles
• 1 –2 cups baby spinach or kale stir in at the end
• Fresh lemon juice for brightness

Method

 

1. Sauté the Aromatics (5 minutes)
2. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften.
4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add Broth & Simmer (15–20 minutes)
6. Pour in the turkey stock or chicken broth.
7. Add dried thyme, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
8. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the veggies are tender.
9. Add the Turkey (5 minutes)
10. Stir in the leftover turkey meat and cooked rice or noodles, if using.
11. Cook for another 5 minutes, just until heated through. (Don’t overcook the turkey — it can dry out.)
12. Finish & Serve
13. Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
14. Stir in baby spinach or kale, if you’re adding greens.
15. For extra brightness, squeeze in a little fresh lemon juice.
16. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and enjoy!

Notes

✅ Don’t Overcook the Turkey: Add cooked turkey at the end so it stays juicy and tender.
✅ Use Good Stock: A flavorful broth is the backbone of great soup. Homemade is amazing, but store-bought works too!
✅ Taste & Adjust: Always taste before serving — add more salt, pepper, or a splash of lemon juice to boost flavor.
✅ Use Leftovers Wisely: This is the best leftover soup for turkey meat, wild rice, or even veggies you have on hand.
✅ Make It Ahead: Turkey soup tastes even better the next day!