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A close-up of comforting homemade turkey soup with noodles, vegetables, and fresh herbs.

Ultimate Leftover Turkey Soup

Turn your holiday leftovers into a rich, hearty, and comforting turkey soup with homemade stock, fresh vegetables, and tender turkey. It's a zero-waste, nourishing meal perfect for chilly days.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 10 bowls
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Leftovers
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 turkey carcass with drippings and giblets (not liver)
  • cold water to cover
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered
  • 1–2 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 1 celery rib with tops, roughly chopped
  • several sprigs fresh parsley
  • 1–2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 5–10 peppercorns
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp butter (or turkey fat)
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3–4 quarts homemade turkey stock
  • 2–4 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tsp poultry seasoning (or sage, thyme, marjoram blend)
  • 4–8 oz egg noodles OR 1/2–1 cup rice (optional)
  • 2–4 cups leftover cooked turkey meat, shredded or chopped

Equipment

  • Large stockpot
  • fine mesh sieve or strainer
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp knife
  • Ladle

Method
 

  1. Place turkey carcass, drippings, and giblets (not liver) in a large stock pot. Cover with cold water by 1 inch.
  2. Add onion, carrots, celery, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a bare simmer.
  3. Simmer partially covered for 4 hours, skimming foam from the surface as needed.
  4. Strain stock into a clean container through a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids.
  5. In a clean pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chopped carrots, onions, and celery. Cook until onions soften, about 10 minutes.
  6. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  7. Pour in homemade turkey stock. Add parsley, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  8. Add noodles or rice if using. Simmer until tender (about 4 minutes for noodles, 15 minutes for rice).
  9. Add reserved cooked turkey meat. Simmer for 1 minute until warmed through.
  10. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Let rest a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Customize with extra vegetables like peas, potatoes, or spinach. For gluten-free, skip noodles or use gluten-free pasta. Add cream or red pepper flakes for variations. Make stock and soup ahead for easy meals.