For most families, the day after Thanksgiving is either a full day of Black Friday shopping or a relaxing day without cooking (like we did) . Thanksgiving leftovers are delicious at first, but after eating them four times in a row, they become less appealing. This homemade leftover turkey soup recipe is the perfect way to reinvent your Thanksgiving leftovers.
This soup nourishes your body with gut-healing bone broth and vegetables, giving you a nice sense of relief after a luxurious holiday. And now, most Black Friday deals are available online, so you can eat leftovers from the comfort of your couch while you shop.
turkey soup made from scratch
The day after Thanksgiving, you may or may not have the energy to throw a pot of homemade turkey stock on. Our family raises organic grass-fed turkeys, which are usually more expensive than conventional birds. The nutritional value is good enough for the price. To make the most of leftover turkey carcass, I like to make turkey soup with it.
Simply add the turkey bones to your slow cooker (or large pot) with water. You can also add salt, poultry seasoning, and other herbs for flavor. The complete recipe for my homemade soup can be found here.
If you don’t want to make your own, store-bought soup is also fine. I like this one from Kettle and Fire. You can also use chicken soup as an easy option.
Turkey soup is a great way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Turkey tends to dry out when reheated, so the broth helps keep the meat moist.
Once you have the soup ready, this recipe is easy. Add all ingredients to the soup pot or Instant Pot and bring the deliciousness to a simmer. Below the recipe you will also find instructions on how to make the Instant Pot version.
variations of turkey soup
Maybe today isn’t the day after Thanksgiving. Or maybe your family chose duck this year. In any case, you can also make it with chicken. Rotisserie chicken is a good choice for making this into chicken soup.
I use potatoes to add a filling carbohydrate, but you can also add another starch. Gluten-free dumplings and egg noodles are also great additions. Wild or white rice makes a delicious turkey and rice soup. Add remaining green beans or other vegetables if desired. Since this is leftover soup, the idea here is to keep things simple and use what you have.
leftover turkey soup recipe
An easy, light, and nutritious soup that’s perfect for a quick meal the day after Thanksgiving.
Remaining turkey meat, diced 2 large carrots, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 1 yellow onion, diced 2 TBSP of butter (or olive oil) Chicken broth (or turkey stock) 4 cups basil 1 teaspoon 1 bay leaf 2 medium garlic cloves Potatoes (or sweet potatoes, diced) 1 bunch of kale 1 cup French lentils Salt (optional) Black pepper (optional) Fresh parsley (optional) (for garnish) fresh thyme (optional, for garnish)
Melt the butter in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Sauté the carrots, celery, and onion in the melted butter until they begin to soften and the onion is translucent.
Add all remaining ingredients.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 1 hour, or until potatoes and lentils are tender.
Nutritional information table
leftover turkey soup recipe
Amount per serving (1 cup)
Calories 232 Calories from fat 63
% daily value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated fat 2g13%
Trans fatty acids 0.1g
1g polyunsaturated fat
2g monounsaturated fat
Cholesterol 58mg19%
Sodium 382mg17%
Potassium 409mg12%
Carbohydrate 21g7%
Dietary fiber 6g25%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 2133IU43%
Vitamin C 8mg10%
Calcium 42mg4%
Iron 2mg11%
*Percent daily intake is based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat as needed.
turkey soup instant pot options
Since the turkey is already cooked, it’s an easy Instant Pot soup. Use the same ingredients as in the recipe above.
Saute the carrots, celery, and onion on the saute setting in the Instant Pot for 3 to 4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Seal the Instant Pot and set it to manual high pressure for 4 minutes. Let it release naturally for 5 minutes, then manually release the pressure. Ladle into a bowl and enjoy.
What to do with leftover turkey?
If you still have leftover turkey after soup, put it in the freezer for another night of easy protein. Or try one of these delicious recipes. Turkey is perfect for a variety of soups, stews, and casserole dishes.
Pumpkin Chili – This recipe gives a surprising twist to traditional chili soup spices by adding cinnamon. The recipe uses chopped turkey instead of ground meat. Paleo Turkey Tetrazzini – A classic dish reinvented using coconut milk instead of dairy and served with a variety of vegetables. Vegetable Frittata – Add diced turkey and sweet potatoes to this basic frittata recipe. Add the remaining shredded Brussels sprouts. Broccoli Casserole – Replace the chicken with turkey for a creamy one-pan meal.
What’s your favorite way to reuse Thanksgiving turkey or other holiday leftovers? We’d love to hear!
