When the last of the holiday feasting is done, the magic of transforming leftovers into something new truly begins. This Cozy Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup is the ultimate comfort in a bowl, brimming with tender turkey, soft vegetables, and satisfying noodles. It’s the perfect way to repurpose your roast turkey into a heartwarming meal that feels both familiar and completely special.
This fragrant and deeply flavorful soup is a wonderful way to nourish yourself and your loved ones with the comforting taste of home.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory, herbaceous, with a rich turkey broth base.
- Texture Profile: Tender shredded turkey, soft cooked vegetables, and delightfully chewy noodles.
- Total Active Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Total Cook Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Difficulty Level: Easy, perfect for beginner cooks and seasoned pros alike.
What You’ll Need
To create this comforting soup, you’ll primarily need the savory foundation of your leftover roast turkey, complemented by a rich broth. A medley of aromatic vegetables like onion, carrots, and celery provides depth, while classic herbs like thyme and oregano bring warmth. Finally, egg noodles or cooked rice add that essential comforting element, all brought together in one wonderful pot.
Ingredient Notes
- Cooked Turkey Meat – This is the star of our soup. Make sure it’s fully cooked and then shredded or cubed into bite-sized pieces that are easy to enjoy in every spoonful.
- Leftover Turkey Carcass/Bones – If you have them, these are pure gold for making a deeply flavorful homemade broth. If not, good quality low-sodium chicken broth is a wonderful substitute.
- Egg Noodles – These classic soup noodles cook up beautifully tender and absorb the rich broth. You can also use cooked white rice for a gluten-free option or a different texture.
- Dried Thyme and Oregano – These herbs are culinary cousins that lend a wonderfully savory and slightly earthy flavor to the soup, reminiscent of traditional home cooking.
- Bay Leaf – A simple addition that imparts a subtle, complex aroma to the broth as it simmers, adding another layer of depth to the soup.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- For a Creamier Soup: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream right at the end of cooking for a richer, more decadent experience.
- Other Vegetables: Feel free to add other tender vegetables like peas, corn, or green beans during the last few minutes of simmering for added color and nutrition.
- A Kick of Spice: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic can introduce a gentle warmth to the soup.
- Different Noodles: While egg noodles are classic, you could also use ditalini, orzo, or even small shells if you prefer. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time according to the pasta package.
How to Make Cozy Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
This delightful soup comes together with such simple steps, making it an absolute joy to prepare. You’ll start by softening your aromatic vegetables, then build the savory broth, and finally, bring everything together with the turkey and noodles.
- Begin by warming the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion, sliced carrots, and chopped celery. Cook these colorful vegetables, stirring occasionally, for about 6 to 8 minutes, until they start to soften and become tender.
- Next, stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Cook for just 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. This quick step truly awakens the spices and builds a wonderful flavor base.
- Pour in your broth (either homemade from the turkey carcass or store-bought) and add the bay leaf. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15 minutes. This allows the vegetables to become perfectly tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Now it’s time to add the star of the show – your cooked turkey meat. Stir in the shredded or cubed turkey along with the egg noodles or cooked white rice. Cook uncovered for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked through and tender.
-
Before serving, carefully remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and generously sprinkle with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
-
Pro Tip: Using a leftover turkey carcass to make your broth is an absolute game-changer for the depth of flavor in this soup. If you don’t have one, don’t worry, a good quality low-sodium chicken broth works beautifully too, but a homemade turkey broth really elevates this dish.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Keep an eye on the noodles as they cook; you want them tender but not mushy. They will continue to soften slightly in the hot broth after serving.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving. The amount of salt needed can vary depending on your broth and the saltiness of your leftover turkey.
- Soften Vegetables Properly: Cooking the onions, carrots, and celery until they are softened before adding liquids helps to release their natural sweetness and create a more rounded flavor profile.
- Gentle Simmer: Once you add the broth, a gentle simmer is key. Boiling too vigorously can break down the noodles too quickly and make the vegetables mushy.
FAQs
- Can I use a different type of noodle? Absolutely! While egg noodles are traditional, you can use other small pasta shapes like ditalini or orzo, or even cooked rice as mentioned in the ingredients. Just be sure to cook them according to their package directions, usually added towards the end of the soup’s cooking time.
- What if I don’t have leftover turkey? You can easily make this soup using store-bought rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked turkey breast. Simply shred or cube it and add it in step 4.
- How can I make the broth more flavorful if I’m using store-bought broth? To enhance store-bought broth, you can simmer it with the turkey carcass and vegetables for an extra 20-30 minutes before adding the final ingredients. You can also add a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme while it simmers.
Serving Suggestions
This comforting turkey noodle soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple accompaniments.
- Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty baguette or sourdough is perfect for dipping into the savory broth.
- Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the hearty soup.
- Cheese Crackers: For a bit of fun and a cheesy crunch, serve with your favorite crackers on the side.
Make This Recipe in Advance
This Cozy Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup is wonderful for making ahead!
- Broth Base: The broth with the vegetables can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop before proceeding with step 4.
- Fully Cooked Soup: The entire soup can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, the noodles may become a bit softer upon reheating. For best results, it’s ideal to cook the noodles separately and add them to individual bowls of reheated soup.
- Freezing: While the soup freezes reasonably well, the noodles can become quite mushy upon thawing. It’s best to freeze the soup base (without noodles) and add freshly cooked noodles when reheating. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Cozy Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
- Total Time: Approximately 60 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
Transform your holiday leftovers into a heartwarming bowl of Cozy Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup, packed with tender turkey, soft vegetables, and satisfying noodles. This easy-to-make soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked turkey meat, shredded or cubed
1 leftover turkey carcass/bones (or 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 large carrots, sliced into coins
3 stalks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 cups egg noodles or cooked white rice
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until they soften.
Mix in the minced garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the broth and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Add the leftover turkey and egg noodles, and cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until the noodles are done.
Remove the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper to your liking, and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Don’t overcook the noodles: Keep an eye on the noodles as they cook; you want them tender but not mushy. They will continue to soften slightly in the hot broth after serving.
Taste and adjust: Always taste your soup before serving. The amount of salt needed can vary depending on your broth and the saltiness of your leftover turkey.
Soften vegetables properly: Cooking the onions, carrots, and celery until they are softened before adding liquids helps to release their natural sweetness and create a more rounded flavor profile.
Gentle simmer: Once you add the broth, a gentle simmer is key. Boiling too vigorously can break down the noodles too quickly and make the vegetables mushy.
- Prep Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Cook Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Protein: N/A
