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Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

Published: / Updated: / 92 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. 😀

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!

Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

This easy leftover turkey soup recipe is fast, simple, and healthy. Full of veggies and flavor! 
5 from 25 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6

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
 

  • 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).
  • Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  • 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.
  • Add the turkey meat and allow the soup to simmer for another 10 minutes or so. 
  • Stir in the cream and season with salt & pepper to taste. 

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.
Keyword creamy leftover turkey soup, easy leftover turkey soup
Author Natasha Bull
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    • Natasha says

      I don't think this one is too big of a deal... it's not like Alfredo sauce, for example, but if you feel more comfortable when adding it after thawing, that would be fine too. 🙂

      Reply

  2. Pat C says

    5 stars
    I added portobello mushrooms. Used Mediterranean oregano instead of Italian seasoning. Used about 1/3 of potatoes, added bok choy chopped with Turkey. Only added 1 cup water. Absolutely delicious flavor. There was a bit of bacon wrapped Turkey in fridge that I threw into onions to get that flavor helped too

    Reply

  4. Gloria says

    5 stars
    Thanks so much! Delish! I left out the celery and added noodles. Next time I’m going to try adding some shredded Parmesan cheese to thicken it up and add some extra flavor!

    Reply

  6. Alyssa says

    5 stars
    Day after thanksgiving leftover recipe win!! So I made this recipe today and ir was awesome. However, I did change a little something about it. Instead of using cream I whisked in leftover mashed potatoes and it was amazing! Will be making this again!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      There's a chance half-and-half or something with a lower fat content will curdle... so heavy (or whipping cream) is probably your best bet unless you want to do a little experimenting.

      Reply

  11. Morgan S. says

    5 stars
    Yummy recipe, I make it ahead of time and freeze it and leave our the cream and add it in when I’m heating it up for dinner later when I need a good soup for a cold day. You can do that with any soup which requires milk, sour cream etc.

    Reply

  12. Jennifer Allen says

    5 stars
    I’ve made this several times now. Had to make my own Italian seasoning which was fine. Oregano, thyme, parsley, garlic powder, basil and pepper. Very tasty. I used chicken this time and it’s amazing. I will always make my “turkey soup” this way from now on. Thank you!

    Reply

  13. Jill says

    5 stars
    Great recipe. I used some small russet potatoes I had left over from Thanksgiving. I also used unsweetened coconut milk less calories and we don’t do much diary. I added some dried sage, basil, and red pepper flakes. Very yummy soup

    Reply

  14. Krystal says

    5 stars
    I made this recipe last year, wanting to just try something different.....OMG it was absolutely amazing and my picky daughters, and their best friend have raves about it all year waiting for the day when I would make it again. I’m so glad I found the recipe so thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      That's great!! I'm so glad to hear that. 🙂 You're very welcome. I hope your daughters and their friend enjoy it this year too!

      Reply

  18. 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 😊

    Reply

  19. 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 haven’t made this in a couple years, but I think any of those would work fine. It’s a pretty forgiving soup. 😊

      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

  27. 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

  28. 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

  30. 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 sautéed 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. 🙂 Hope you enjoy the recipe!

      Reply

  35. 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

  37. Amanda says

    5 stars
    Trying this today with half and half because that’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. 🙂 Thanks, Amanda. Hope you like the recipe. Happy holidays to you as well.

      Reply