The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup (or Anytime!)

Recipe Introduction

Right, let's dive into this shall we? Ever find yourself staring at the remains of your Christmas or Thanksgiving turkey, wondering what to do?

Today, we're making turkey soup . Seriously, the best turkey noodle soup with leftover turkey you'll ever have! It's basically liquid gold, turning those bones into something amazing.

From Feast to Fantastic: Your Easy Turkey Soup Awaits

Leftover Thanksgiving Soup Recipes are seriously underrated. This recipe will become a family favorite. Forget dry turkey sandwiches! We're talking proper comfort food. It's from my family cookbook, passed down for years!

This homemade turkey soup recipe is relatively simple. we will simmer the bird carcass, and then add noodles. it's a great way to use leftovers from your thanksgiving day, or christmas dinner! this comfort food soup takes around 1 hour 50 minutes, but trust me, the reward is worth it.

It easily makes 6-8 servings.

The Magic of Turkey Carcass Soup : Simplicity, Flavor, and Goodness

One big bonus? it's packed with nutrients! the broth is so nourishing, plus it helps reduce food waste. this best leftover turkey soup recipe is just the ticket for a chilly evening, or when you're feeling a bit under the weather.

Honestly, what makes this quick turkey soup recipe so special is the depth of flavor you get from the turkey carcass.

It's far better than using stock cubes. but even more important, you are getting the most of your ingredients. next, are you ready for the list of ingredients?

Alright, love! Let's get down to brass tacks and talk about what you'll need to make a cracking turkey soup !

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup (or Anytime!) Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:01 Hrs 30 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 leftover turkey carcass (bones and any remaining meat), approximately 3-4 pounds (1.4-1.8 kg)
• 12 cups (2.8 liters) water
• 2 large yellow onions, quartered (approx. 400g)
• 3 large carrots, roughly chopped (approx. 300g)
• 3 celery stalks, roughly chopped (approx. 200g)
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (Optional, for bone extraction)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 1 large yellow onion, diced (approx. 200g)
• 2 carrots, diced (approx. 200g)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (approx. 150g)
• 8 ounces (225g) egg noodles or other pasta of choice
• 2 cups (approx. 400g) cooked turkey meat, shredded or diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Place the turkey carcass, water, onion quarters, chopped carrots, chopped celery, smashed garlic, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, and apple cider vinegar (if using) into the stockpot.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours, for richer flavour.
• Carefully strain the broth through a colander or fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Pick any remaining meat from the carcass and set aside.
• In the same stockpot, heat olive oil (or melt butter) over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
• Pour the strained turkey broth into the pot. Bring to a boil, then add the egg noodles. Cook according to package directions until tender.
• Stir in the shredded/diced cooked turkey meat. Heat through.
• Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:350-400

Fat:15-20g

Fiber:3-5g

Recipe Info

Category:Soup

Cuisine:American

Ingredients & Equipment: Setting You Up for Success!

Honestly, the right ingredients are half the battle. And having the right tools? Makes life a doddle! This section breaks down everything to make Homemade Turkey Soup Recipe .

Main Ingredients: Quality Counts!

These are your stars, darling! Remember, good ingredients equal a good turkey noodle soup .

• Leftover Turkey Carcass: About 3-4 pounds (1.4-1.8 kg) . Quality Check : If you're using a frozen carcass, make sure it's properly thawed. It must not smell funny!

• Water: A whopping 12 cups (2.8 liters) . Yep, we're making a proper broth!

• Veggies (Broth): 2 large yellow onions (quartered), 3 large carrots (roughly chopped), 3 celery stalks (roughly chopped), 4 cloves garlic (smashed).

• Aromatics (Broth): 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns.

• Optional Broth Booster: 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. (Old wives trick I learned from my Nan for getting all the goodness from the bones!)

• Veggies (Soup): 1 large yellow onion (diced), 2 carrots (diced), 2 celery stalks (diced).

• Noodles: 8 ounces (225g) egg noodles (or your favourite small pasta, really!). This part is what makes our Turkey Noodle Soup With Leftover Turkey so heartwarming.

• Cooked Turkey: 2 cups (approx. 400g) shredded or diced. Quality Check : Make sure it's stored properly after Thanksgiving or Christmas to avoid any nasties! Don't you want a Best Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe ?

• Garnish: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Makes it look all fancy, you know?

Seasoning Notes: From Bland to Brilliant!

These bits are what elevates your quick turkey soup recipe into something special . We can make some fantastic Leftover Thanksgiving Soup Recipes

• Essential Combo: Salt, pepper, and a touch more thyme. Classic, can't go wrong.

• Flavour Enhancers: A chicken stock cube (bouillon) can add depth, but go easy – don't want it too salty! Or try a splash of Worcestershire sauce to really bring out the flavour.

• Aromatic Alternative: Try adding fresh rosemary, sage, or even a pinch of smoked paprika.

• Acidity Addition: Add a lemon slice when its done cooking.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple, Sweetheart!

No need for fancy kit here! Think Easy Turkey Soup

• Essential: Large stockpot or Dutch oven (at least 8 quarts / 7.5 liters). For making that turkey carcass soup .

• Essential: Colander or fine-mesh sieve.

• Essential: Cutting board, Chef's knife, Wooden spoon or spatula, Ladle.

• Household alternative: if you don't have a colander, a large bowl and spoon works. right, there you have it! with these bits and bobs, you're ready to make some truly magical comfort food soup .

Honestly, this recipe is so forgiving. Don't stress too much about exact measurements – just chuck it all in and have a laugh! Good luck!

Right, let's get this show on the road! we're talking about cooking methods and, particularly, how to turn that leftover thanksgiving turkey into something truly spectacular: turkey soup! not just any turkey soup , mind you, but the ultimate comfort food experience.

We're talking turkey noodle soup , people! honestly, there's nothing worse than chucking that carcass in the bin. let’s give it a new lease of life.

Did you know, americans waste around 40% of the food they produce annually? let's reduce it, one bowl of easy turkey soup at a time, shall we? this isn't your nan's watery soup, this is a proper homemade turkey soup recipe .

Prep Like a Pro for the Best Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

First things first: mise en place is key. basically, get everything ready before you start. chop your veggies, gather your ingredients, and clear your work surface.

It’ll save you a world of stress later on.

• Essential mise en place : Dice your onions, carrots, and celery. Shred or dice any leftover turkey meat you salvaged. Have your herbs ready. Trust me, it makes a difference.
• Time-saving organization tips : Chop all your veggies at once. Pre-shred your turkey. Honestly, this will speed things up massively.
• Safety reminders : Always use a sharp knife. A dull knife is a dangerous knife! And mind your fingers, yeah?

From Carcass to Comfort: Step-by-Step Turkey Carcass Soup

This is where the magic happens. Don't worry, it's easier than it looks! Even if you're still stuffed from Thanksgiving, this Quick Turkey Soup Recipe is totally worth it.

1. Broth Time: Chuck that leftover turkey carcass into a large pot with water, roughly chopped onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, and a splash of apple cider vinegar (optional).
2. Simmer, Baby, Simmer: Bring it to a boil, then turn it down to a gentle simmer. Cover and leave it for at least 1 hour 30 minutes , or even up to 3 hours for a richer flavour. The longer, the better , so put the kettle on and relax.
3. Strain and Retrieve: Carefully strain the broth, discarding the solids. Pick off any remaining turkey meat from the carcass and set it aside.
4. Sauté the Goodness: In the same pot, heat some olive oil (or butter) and sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery until softened. About 5- 7 minutes should do it.
5. Noodle Nirvana: Pour in that beautiful strained broth and bring it to a boil. Add your egg noodles and cook according to the package directions. Don't overcook them!
6. Turkey Time: Stir in that shredded turkey meat and heat it through. This only takes a minute or two.
7. Season and Serve: Season generously with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley. Bob's your uncle!

Pro Tips for Top-Notch Comfort Food Soup

Want to take your Turkey Soup Leftover Thanksgiving Leftovers to the next level? Here’s a few tricks up my sleeve.

• Don’t be shy with the seasoning. Taste, taste, taste! Soup needs more seasoning than you think.
• Avoid mushy noodles. Cook them al dente as they continue to cook slightly in the hot broth.
• Freeze for later! Soup freezes brilliantly. Portion it out and you’ve got a leftover Thanksgiving soup recipes ready when you need it.

Honestly, this turkey soup is a winner. It's a fantastic way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey and it's just so blooming comforting, especially on a cold day. Enjoy!

Right, let's have a chinwag about this turkey soup , shall we? more particularly, let's dive into some handy recipe notes that'll elevate your turkey soup leftover thanksgiving leftovers game to the next level.

Because honestly, who wants a bland, boring bowl? not us, that's for sure!

Serving Up Success

Plating Like a Pro

Presentation matters, even for comfort food soup ! ladle your easy turkey soup into a nice bowl. think rustic pottery, yeah? then, sprinkle generously with fresh parsley.

A swirl of cream? go on, treat yourself. serve alongside some crusty bread - perfect for dunking.

Sides That Sing

What goes well with the best leftover turkey soup recipe ? a simple green salad is always a winner. or, if you fancy something a bit different, try some cheesy garlic bread.

A crisp cider or a light beer would also go down a treat.

Storage Secrets

Chilling Out

If you've got any homemade turkey soup recipe left over, let it cool completely before popping it in the fridge.

It'll keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container. you know? like those tupperware ones your mum used to use!

Freezer Friendly?

Quick turkey soup recipe is great for freezing! Portion it into freezer bags or containers. It'll keep for up to 3 months. Make sure to label it with the date, though!

Reheating Rescue

Reheating is a doddle. simply pop it in a saucepan on the hob over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Or, if you're feeling lazy, microwave it! just be careful it doesn't explode. speaking from experience, of course!

Variations: Spice It Up!

Dietary Tweaks

Want a gluten-free turkey noodle soup ? Just use gluten-free noodles! Easy peasy. For a dairy-free version, skip the cream.

Seasonal Swaps

Depending on the season, you can add different veggies. In autumn, squash or pumpkin would be lovely. In spring, try asparagus or peas.

Nutrition Nuggets

The Basics

Each serving of this turkey noodle soup with leftover turkey contains around 350-400 calories, and is packed with protein, around 30-35g.

Health Boost

Turkey carcass soup is a great way to get your vitamins and minerals, specially from the bones! The broth is also super hydrating. It's basically a health hug in a bowl.

So, there you have it. Some extra leftover thanksgiving soup recipes notes to make your turkey soup the best it can be. Now go on, get cooking! You've got this.