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4.7 from 2,178 votes

The Best Leftover Turkey Soup

A versatile and tasty recipe that’s quick to prepare and easy to enjoy.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • ½ cup chopped carrots
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary or 1 teaspoon fresh, chopped
  • 6 cups chicken or turkey broth/stock I use low-sodium
  • ½ to ¾ to ¾ cup brown rice or brown rice blend (see note)
  • 2 teaspoons salt I use coarse, kosher salt
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 1 cup half and half (see note)
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 to 4 to 4 cups cooked, chopped leftover turkey

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a 6-quart saucepan or pot, heat the butter and oil until hot over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, thyme and rosemary and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are slightly tender, 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add the broth, rice, salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the rice is tender. The exact time will depend on variety of rice and package directions. For a brown and wild rice blend, the time will be about 30 minutes.
  3. Whisk together or blend the half and half and flour until smooth and there are no lumps. Stir the flour mixture into the soup, whisking quickly, and simmer gently until slightly thickened, 5-6 minutes.
  4. Stir in the cooked turkey and heat through. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Serve.

Notes

  • Brown Rice: long grain brown rice, jasmine or basmati brown rice, or a brown rice blend work great in this soup. You can also sub white rice or a wild and brown rice blend. The key is to adjust the simmering time based on the variety of rice you are using.
  • Half and half: you can sub in milk for the half and half (although the soup won't be quite as silky and creamy). I suggest using 1% or 2% (not skim).
  • Turkey: yes, you can use leftover cooked chicken if you don't have turkey.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 serving Calories 354kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 30g (10%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Cholesterol 68mg (23%) Sodium 1820mg (76%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 5g (10%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 serving
Calories 354kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 30g 10%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 68mg 23%
Sodium 1820mg 76%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 5g 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.