Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe
Thanksgiving leftovers often feel overwhelming, but they’re also an opportunity. Leftover turkey and homemade stock can transform into something extraordinary: turkey soup. This recipe turns scraps into comfort, giving you a warm bowl of goodness after the holiday rush.
Making turkey soup is simple, but it delivers a big flavor. You’ll use every part of the turkey, ensuring nothing goes to waste. First, the stock adds depth. Then, the leftover meat creates heartiness. Finally, fresh vegetables and seasonings tie it all together.
This soup works for busy schedules, too. You can simmer it on the stove or let it cook slowly in a crockpot. Either way, it’s flexible and forgiving. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, herbs, or even pasta.
A bowl of turkey soup feels like home. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner and freezes beautifully. Share it with family or save it for yourself when you need something cozy. Thanksgiving may be over, but this soup keeps the comfort going.
Grab your stockpot, gather those leftovers, and get ready to enjoy the best part of holiday cooking: making something extraordinary out of what you already have. Let’s turn that turkey into something special!
Save That Turkey Carcass
Saving the Thanksgiving turkey carcass is a game-changer for homemade cooking. That leftover carcass holds incredible flavor and nutrition, making it the perfect base for a rich, comforting stock. Instead of tossing it out, you can turn it into a golden liquid that elevates soups, stews, gravies, and more.
Homemade turkey stock is all about maximizing what you already have. The bones and bits of meat and skin release collagen and gelatin as they simmer. This gives your stock a velvety texture and an unbeatable depth of flavor. The process extracts nutrients like calcium and minerals, creating a wholesome base for any dish.
Making stock from the carcass also helps reduce waste. After all, you’ve worked hard to prepare that turkey—it deserves to be enjoyed to the last drop! Toss in a few kitchen scraps like onion peels, carrot tops, and celery ends, and you’ve turned leftovers into culinary gold.
With homemade turkey stock, you control the ingredients. It’s free from preservatives and overly salty additives found in store-bought options. Plus, it freezes beautifully, so you can enjoy its benefits long after the holidays. Saving the turkey carcass isn’t just smart—it’s deliciously rewarding.
📖 Recipe
Turkey Soup Made from Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 carrots sliced
- 2 celery stalks sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8 cups homemade turkey stock
- 3 cups cooked turkey shredded or cubed
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh
- 1 bay leave
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cooked rice, noodles or barley optional
Instructions
Saute Vegetables
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
Add Stock and Seasonings
- Pour in the turkey stock. Stir in thyme, parsley, and the bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Add Turkey and Simmer
- Reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in the cooked turkey. Let the soup simmer for 15–20 minutes to blend flavors.
Season and Add Optional Ingredients
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Add cooked rice, noodles, or barley for extra heartiness.
Serve
- Ladle into bowls and enjoy with crusty bread or crackers.
Notes
Turkey Soup with Winter Vegetables Recipe
Turkey soup with roasted seasonal vegetables is the ultimate cozy dish for cooler weather. This recipe takes the comforting classic up a notch by adding roasted vegetables, which bring a rich, caramelized flavor to every bite. It’s a perfect way to use Thanksgiving leftovers and highlight the best of the season.
Roasting the vegetables before adding them to the soup creates layers of flavor you won’t get from just boiling. The turkey stock and tender leftover meat provide a hearty base, while the roasted veggies add texture and sweetness. It’s a delicious, nutrient-packed meal that warms you from the inside out.
This soup is as flexible as it is flavorful. You can swap in your favorite vegetables—think sweet potatoes, parsnips, or butternut squash—and adjust the seasonings to your taste. It’s also a great make-ahead option, since the flavors deepen as it sits. Freeze any extras for a quick, satisfying meal on busy days.
If you’re looking for a comforting dish that’s both simple and special, this turkey soup with roasted vegetables checks every box. Grab your leftovers, roast some veggies, and let’s create a bowl of goodness that celebrates the season!
📖 Recipe
Roast Turkey Soup with Winter Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 roasted turkey carcass
- water
- bouquet garni
- 2 large carrots chopped
- 1 large parsnip chopped
- 2 turnips chopped
- 3 stalks celery chopped celery leaves from stalks
- 6 medium potatoes chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Simple prep for a delicious soup. Chop the carrots, parsnips, turnips celery and potatoes. Prepare the bouquet garni. Now start cooking.
- Place the carcass (and trimmed legs and wings) in a heavy bottomed soup pot and add enough water to cover the turkey carcass and then some.
- Add bouquet garni and simmer until the meat falls off the bone, approximately 4-5 hours.
- Remove the bouquet garni and strain the soup. Add the broth back to the pot along with all the meat that fell off the carcass. Remove any meat still on the bones and add it back to the pot.
- Add carrots, parsnip, turnips, celery leaves and continue to simmer 1-2 hours.
- Add salt & pepper to taste and then add the potatoes & celery, simmer 30 - 45 minutes.
- Serve with fresh bread.
Notes
Some of My Favorite Soup Recipes
- The Ultimate Guide to Creating Flavorful Soups
- You Won't Believe This Simple Eggplant and Couscous Soup Recipe
- Braised Beans and Spinach with Pecorino Romano Cheese Recipe
- Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe
- Black Eyed Peas and Bacon Soup Recipe
- Vegetable Stock Recipe
- How to Make Cooking Stocks for Soups Stews and Sauces
- Instant Pot Black Bean Soup Recipe
Betty Cox
I always use the carcass to make soup, but this year I baked the bones in the oven for a couple of hours on low heat with carrots, celery, and onion, then boiled the carcass to make the most amazing rich broth. When making the soup, I added a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce and some cooking sherry! Yummy!
G. Stephen Jones
Hi Betty, I like the addition of Worcestershire sauce and sherry. And a great idea to roast (bake) the veggies, but since the turkey carcass was already roasted, I'm not sure why you would need to cook it again. - RG
Georgie
Right at the end, I always throw in a few handfuls of small pasta shapes, a handful of rice, or some of those pasta-shaped dumplings. Make sure not to overcook it.