Do you have lots of leftover Thanksgiving turkey and are tired of turkey sandwiches? Well, I have you covered with this easy leftover turkey soup. It’s hearty, comforting, and ready in 45 minutes.
Growing up my mom always made leftover turkey soup with Thanksgiving leftovers. My sister still requests it to this day. Her version has corn and I believe she cooks it in the crockpot – it’s delicious, but I wanted to put my own spin on one.
Never Miss a Recipe!
Get new recipes like this delivered to your inbox.
I amped it up a little more by adding in lots of veggies, butternut squash, and beans for some carbohydrates and fiber. Other than that, I kept it super easy. Sometimes the simplest of recipes are the most comforting!
It’s great for after the holidays when you are feeling like you have had one too many pieces of pumpkin pie. No shame in that, but prioritizing some nutrient-dense meals to have easy access to after the holidays always feels good.
This easy turkey soup recipe is also great for meal prep. Make a batch after Thanksgiving and store it in the fridge for a quick and healthy meal. Or it works great to freeze for later!
Why you’ll love this leftover turkey soup recipe
- it makes super nourishing and comforting after a big holiday meal
- made in one pan and ready in about 45 minutes!
- packed with protein and veggies
- makes a lot and is great for meal prep – enjoy the leftovers for easy meals for a few days.
Is turkey soup healthy?
Turkey soup can be a nutrient-dense meal and a great addition to a healthy diet. Turkey is a low-calorie and lean protein that will help fill you up. In addition, turkey soup usually has veggies which will add vitamins, minerals, and fiber and help fill you up as well. And since soup is a liquid, it is a hydrating and filling food.
The one thing to be mindful of when consuming soups is they can contain a lot of sodium and sometimes added sugar and preservatives, especially when having canned soups. When making it at home, you can control the ingredients to make it a nutrient-dense meal.
Ingredients
- olive oil
- garlic
- fresh ginger
- onion
- celery
- carrots
- butternut squash
- broth – I used store-bought chicken broth but homemade turkey stock will work great!
- leftover turkey meat – a mix of light and dark meat works for the best flavor!
- white beans
- kale
- lemon juice
- salt and pepper
How to make turkey soup with leftover turkey
- Saute your veggies. Heat a large dutch oven or stock pot over medium-low heat. Add oil and let it get hot. Add garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Make sure to stir constantly so it doesn’t burn. Add onions, carrots, celery, and a little bit of salt and black pepper, and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened. Add a splash of broth if needed to make sure they don’t stick and scrap up any stuck garlic.
- Saute your butternut squash. Add your butternut squash and saute for 5-10 minutes until slightly softened on the outside. Add broth, stir to combine, cover with a lid, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients. Add your cooked turkey, beans, and kale, and let simmer for another 5 minutes until warmed. Stir in lemon juice.
- Enjoy! Top with fresh herbs and enjoy!
How long can leftover turkey be used?
Leftover cooked turkey can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. If making soup, I suggest making it a day or two after you cook your turkey so you can enjoy it for a couple of days.
What to serve with turkey soup
- crackers or chips
- bread
- salad – soup and salad make the perfect combo.
Storage and reheating
- fridge – store turkey soup in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. The length of time it lasts will depend on when you first cook your turkey.
- freezer – leftover turkey soup is a great recipe to freeze as it makes a lot! Freeze in a large container or individual servings. Leave enough room at the top as the liquid expands when frozen. It should last up to 3 months in the freezer. To defrost, place in the fridge for 1-2 days.
- reheating – either reheat it by popping it in the microwave for a few minutes or you can reheat it in a pot on the stovetop.
Substitutions and additions
- olive oil – any kind of neutral oil will work. Butter will also work.
- garlic – garlic powder will work instead of fresh. Use 1 teaspoon worth. Add it with the veggies if using (you do not need to saute it).
- fresh ginger – ground ginger will work instead of fresh. Use 1 teaspoon worth. Add it with the veggies if using (you do not need to saute it).
- butternut squash – sweet potatoes or white potatoes will work instead.
- broth – chicken broth, turkey stock (made from your turkey carcass), or veggie broth will all work great! To increase the protein even more, use bone broth.
- leftover roasted turkey meat – a mix of light and dark meat works for the best flavor! I have also made this recipe with shredded chicken and it works great.
- white beans – pinto, kidney, or black beans will work the same. You can leave them out if you don’t like them.
- kale – spinach will work well.
Here are some additions:
- veggies – the more veggies the merrier! Try green beans, peas, mushrooms, and bell peppers would all work well.
- corn – will add a nice sweetness. Fresh or frozen works.
- grains – to make this soup even heartier, add in some cooked white rice, brown rice, wild rice, or quinoa. I would suggest adding individual servings to your bowl as rice will expand if left in the broth for too long.
- pasta – swap out the butternut squash for some kind of cooked pasta. Simply make it according to your package and stir it in at the end.
- herbs – feel free to add some dried herbs when sauteing your veggies. Thyme, parsley, rosemary, sage, and bay leaves would all work well.
- make it creamy – stir in some coconut milk (to keep it dairy-free) or half and half to make this soup creamy.
More healthy soup recipes
- buffalo chicken soup
- creamy chicken tomato soup
- bison chili
- chicken fajita soup
- coconut curry lentil soup
- creamy chicken and mushroom soup
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Leftover Turkey Soup
ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup diced onion (120 grams)
- 1 cup diced carrots (125 grams)
- 1 cup diced celery (120 grams)
- 4 cups diced butternut squash (525 grams)
- 5 cups chicken broth (I used low sodium)
- 4 cups leftover turkey, shredded/cut into bite-size pieces (1 pound – use a mix of light and dark meat for the best flavor)
- 2 packed cups chopped kale (60 grams)
- 1 15.5-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- for serving: fresh parsley, parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes…
instructions
- Saute your veggies. Heat a large dutch oven or stock pot over medium-low heat. Add oil and let it get hot. Add garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Make sure to stir constantly so it doesn’t burn. Add onions, carrots, celery, and a little bit of salt and black pepper, and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened. Add a splash of broth if needed to make sure they don’t stick and scrap up any stuck garlic.
- Saute your butternut squash. Add your butternut squash and saute for 5-10 minutes until slightly softened on the outside. Add broth, stir to combine, cover with a lid, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients. Add your cooked turkey, beans, and kale, and let simmer for another 5 minutes until warmed. Stir in lemon juice.
- Enjoy! Top with fresh herbs and enjoy!
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive so we can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
video
nutrition
Get My Guide On
How to Build a Balanced Plate
No recipe, no problem! Learn the key factors to build a balanced plate for sustainable eating and to fuel your body to support your activity, goals, and lifestyle.
I made this tonight for dinner with leftover turkey and it turned out really well. Easy to make and modify with what you have on hand. Thanks for all your great recipes!
So happy to hear that, Elizabeth! Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for trying it.
Let’s try this!
Hope you enjoy!
Love homemade turkey soup we make it every year with the leftover turkey have to try your version
Hope you enjoy this one!
Kell can’t wait till the 23rd to make some
We need more leftover turkey!!