Turkey Soup Recipe

Introduction

This comforting turkey soup is a perfect way to use up leftover turkey while creating a flavorful, hearty meal. With a blend of fresh vegetables, aromatic seasonings, and tender turkey, it’s an easy and satisfying dish that warms you from the inside out.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 8 cups chicken broth (can substitute turkey broth or stock)
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 cups leftover turkey, diced or shredded
• 1 cup bowtie pasta, uncooked
• Seasonings:
  • 1 teaspoon each: dried basil, oregano, parsley, mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon each: ground sage, pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Melt butter in a large (4.5 quart) soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, bay leaf, and all seasonings. Mix well to combine.
3. Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and add the diced turkey.
4. Step 4: Let the soup simmer gently, uncovered, for 15 minutes to develop flavors.
5. Step 5: Cook the bowtie pasta separately until al dente, then drain. Serve the pasta in individual bowls and ladle the hot soup over it. Do not add pasta directly to the pot to avoid it becoming mushy.

Tips & Variations

• Add a Parmesan rind or leftover turkey bones to the pot while simmering for extra depth of flavor, removing before serving.
• Use homemade bone broth for the richest taste and to make the most of your turkey carcass.
• Add a can of cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup for a creamier texture, adjusting liquid if needed.
• The hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce enhance flavor without making it spicy; Frank’s Hot Sauce is recommended.
• Top the soup with Ranch Oyster Crackers or serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.

Storage

Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, gently warm on the stove or in the microwave. Keep pasta separate during storage to prevent it from absorbing broth and becoming mushy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta or grains in this soup?

Yes, you can substitute the bowtie pasta with tortellini, rice, or small potatoes. Cook these separately and add to serving bowls just before serving to maintain texture.

Can this soup be made in a slow cooker?

Absolutely. Melt the butter in the slow cooker, add the vegetables and garlic to coat, then add seasonings, turkey, bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and broth. Cook on low for about 6 hours. Cook pasta separately and add at serving.

Turkey Soup Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 135 reviews

A comforting and hearty Turkey Soup that makes the perfect use of leftover turkey with flavorful vegetables, herbs, and broth. Served with bowtie pasta added separately for the best texture, this American classic soup is easily customizable and ideal for cozy meals.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 8 cups chicken broth (can substitute turkey broth or stock)
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 cups leftover turkey, diced or shredded
• 1 cup bowtie pasta, uncooked

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground sage
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Sauté Vegetables: Melt butter in a large (4.5 quart) soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Cook and soften the vegetables for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add Aromatics and Seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, bay leaf, dried basil, oregano, parsley, mustard powder, ground sage, and pepper. Combine ingredients well to meld flavors.
3. Simmer Soup Base: Pour in chicken broth and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and add the diced or shredded leftover turkey. Let the soup simmer uncovered gently for 15 minutes to develop flavor.
4. Cook Pasta Separately: Boil the bowtie pasta in a separate pot until al dente, then drain thoroughly. This prevents the pasta from absorbing soup broth and becoming mushy in storage.
5. Serve: Add the cooked pasta directly into serving bowls and ladle the hot turkey soup over the pasta. Garnish as desired and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

• For extra richness, add a Parmesan cheese rind or leftover turkey bones to the pot while simmering, then remove before serving.
• You can enrich the soup by stirring in about 10 oz of cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup for deeper flavor.
• Adjust saltiness by adding milk, cream, or water if broth is too salty.
• The hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard powder enhance the flavor subtly and do not make the soup spicy.
• Do not add pasta or rice directly into leftover soup before storing to prevent them from absorbing too much broth.
• Serve with Ranch Oyster Crackers or crusty bread for a delicious accompaniment.
• Storage: Refrigerate soup in an airtight container up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Crock Pot Method: Sauté vegetables and garlic in butter in Crock Pot, add all ingredients except pasta, cook on low for 6 hours, then serve with separately cooked pasta.

Keywords: Turkey Soup, Leftover Turkey Recipes, Comfort Food, Hearty Soup, Bowtie Pasta Soup, Easy Dinner