Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe
Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe transforms cooked turkey into a hearty soup with sautéed aromatics, fresh herbs, broth, and small pasta shapes. The savory broth base enhanced by thyme and bay leaves complements tender turkey and softened vegetables. The soup's texture is enriched by the pasta which can be adjusted for density, resulting in a comforting meal that efficiently uses leftovers.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 large carrot chopped
- 2 talks celery chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 4 prigs thyme fresh
- 6 cups turkey stock preferably homemade, or chicken stock
- ½ - ¾ cup small pasta amount depends on how dense you like it. Pasta: pastina, orzo, ditalini, elbow macaroni, or pearl couscous work well, of choice
- 2 cups cooked turkey shredded, or chicken, leftover
- 2 bay leaf
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped, for garnish, fresh
- Parmigiano Cheese for topping (optional)
Instructions
Sauté the Vegetables:
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the finely chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add the Herbs and Stock:
- Tie the thyme sprigs together with kitchen twine for easy removal later, or you can simply add them directly to the pot.
- Pour in the turkey or chicken stock, and add the bay leaves.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Cook the Pasta:
- Add the orzo, ditalini, or pearl couscous to the boiling soup.
- Lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is just tender.
Add the Turkey:
- Stir in the shredded leftover turkey or chicken.
- Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Season and Serve:
- Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves from the pot.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- If desired, sprinkle with Parmigiano cheese for an added touch of richness or a squeeze of lemon to a fresh twist.
- Enjoy: Serve hot with crusty bread for a comforting, nourishing meal.
Notes
- Sauté vegetables until lightly caramelized to enhance their sweetness and deepen soup flavor.
- Use fresh thyme for best flavor; if substituting dried, reduce quantity to about one-third.
- To prevent pasta from becoming mushy in leftovers, cook it separately and add just before serving.
- Adjust pasta quantity depending on desired soup thickness; smaller amounts yield lighter broth.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 -8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 247
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 247kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.003g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 38mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 423mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 536mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 4181IU | 84% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 38mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.