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Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

Published / Updated / 61 Comments

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This easy leftover turkey soup recipe is fast, simple, and healthy. Full of veggies and flavor!

easy leftover turkey soup in a white bowl

This easy turkey soup recipe hits the spot on a cold day. The potatoes melt in your mouth and make this soup extra comforting. A splash of cream makes the broth taste even better without going overboard on the extra calories. I think you'll love this light but creamy turkey vegetable soup.

My method of making turkey soup is simple, and I don't add the turkey in until nearly the end since it's already cooked and I don't want it to dry out further.

This is a quick soup that won't feel taxing after you've gone through the production of putting on a Thanksgiving feast!

healthy turkey soup in a pot

I'm just going to put it out there that this recipe would work well with cooked chicken as well. Doesn't have to be turkey! Or even leftover turkey breast meat (that's actually what I used in here).

I confess I did not cook a whole turkey this year. Or last year. Oh darn. Must have forgotten. It's ok if you didn't either.

Here in Canada we had our Thanksgiving back in October, so for me as a food blogger, it's like this huge drawn-out experience where I'm turkey'd out without even having to roast one. ๐Ÿ˜€

leftover turkey, carrot, and potato soup in a bowl

At least I'm providing you with some leftover turkey ideas this year. I try.

More leftover turkey recipes you may like:

How to make turkey soup with leftover turkey

Sauté onions; add the garlic, celery, carrots, potatoes, vegetable broth, water, and seasoning. Bring to a gentle boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the turkey meat and simmer for an additional 10 minutes or so. Taste, then add the cream and salt & pepper as needed.

So easy!

close-up of easy leftover turkey soup in a pot

Will you make this leftover turkey soup?

What's your favorite way to use up turkey meat?

This easy leftover turkey soup recipe is fast, easy, and healthy. Full of veggies and flavor!
5 from 14 votes
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Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

This easy leftover turkey soup recipe is fast, simple, and healthy. Full of veggies and flavor! 

Course Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword creamy leftover turkey soup, easy leftover turkey soup
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Author Natasha Bull

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 sticks celery chopped
  • 3 large carrots peeled & sliced
  • 1.5 pounds little potatoes cut into halves
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 dashes Italian seasoning
  • 2 + cups cooked turkey meat
  • 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot on medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until it's lightly browned (5-7 minutes).
  2. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  3. Add the celery, carrots, little potatoes, veg broth, water, and Italian seasoning. Increase the heat to high and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar. Let the soup simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. Add the turkey meat and allow the soup to simmer for another 10 minutes or so. 
  5. Stir in the cream and season with salt & pepper to taste. 

Recipe Notes

  • You don't need to use little potatoes... regular ones are fine as long as the weight is similar. I just find them easy. 
  • I used 2 cups cooked turkey, but you could definitely add a lot more if you need to!
  • Serves 4-6.

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  4. Jenny L. says

    5 stars
    So easy and delicious! I used frozen carrots, added leftover ham and turkey and used fat free half and half. Plus a bay leaf!
    Thanks for your inspiring recipes ๐Ÿ˜Š

    Reply

  5. Leanne says

    This was so good ! Just enough creaminess. Making another batch with the rest of the leftover turkey
    since my family loved it so!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      I havenโ€™t made this in a couple years, but I think any of those would work fine. Itโ€™s a pretty forgiving soup. ๐Ÿ˜Š

      Reply

    • Natasha says

      Sorry, Teri, I do not. You could try plugging the exact ingredients you use into a calorie calculator like My Fitness Pal. The calculators aren't always super accurate, so I tend not to post nutritional info on my recipes (only calorie counts on a select few recipes where I'm confident I can get it right).

      Reply

  13. Cher says

    5 stars
    Very yummy! Nice to do something without noodles or rice. I did make it with coconut milk as I had no cream, seasoned it with extra veggie seasoning and added a tablespoon of light cream cheese. Also topped with green onion and seasoned croutons! Thank you

    Reply

  14. Bev Whaley says

    5 stars
    Great soup recipe, was soooi yummy!!!! Thanks for sharing, I hate casseroles but love soup!!!! Perfect and probably freezable.

    Reply

  16. Rosemary says

    5 stars
    This was Delicious!! My family and my neighbors gave it rave reviews. Nice change from the usual turkey noodle soup after the holidays. I sautรฉed the onions and garlic in a Tuscan herb infused olive oil. Thank you so much for this recipe!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi Doris! I haven't tried it with almond milk, but if it's something you're comfortable adding to soups (I don't often cook with it), then I don't see why it wouldn't work. ๐Ÿ™‚ Hope you enjoy the recipe!

      Reply

  21. Danielle says

    Hi, instead of whipping cream could I use cream of chicken soup or would that change the recipe? (I'm just looking in my cupboard for a substitute).

    Reply

  23. Amanda says

    5 stars
    Trying this today with half and half because thatโ€™s all I have in the fridge. Hope it turns out as well as yours looks. Thank you so much for the recipe! Happy Holidays

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Half and half will be delicious, I'm sure. ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks, Amanda. Hope you like the recipe. Happy holidays to you as well.

      Reply