This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This easy leftover turkey soup recipe is fast, simple to make, and healthy. It’s loaded with vegetables and has a silky and irresistibly seasoned broth!

You may also like my Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup or Easy Turkey Tetrazzini.

a bowl of leftover turkey soup

Why you’ll love it

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! It’s a light but creamy turkey vegetable soup.

This is a low-effort, quick soup that won’t feel taxing after making a Thanksgiving feast with Roast Turkey. Here in Canada our Thanksgiving is in October, so being a food blogger, I’m all turkey’d out by the time American Thanksgiving rolls around!

What you’ll need

  • Olive oil – for sautéing
  • Onion, garlic, celery, and carrots – the aromatic base to any great soup
  • Potatoes – I use baby potatoes
  • Chicken broth – for more savory depth in the broth
  • Italian seasoning – this delicious blend of dried herbs comes in a single jar
  • Turkey – we’re adding already cooked turkey meat near the end so it doesn’t further dry out
  • Heavy cream – just a hint of cream gives this soup a special something-something. You could leave it out, but I don’t recommend it.
ingredients for leftover turkey soup in prep bowls

Tools for this recipe

Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!

  • I use this Le Creuset Dutch oven for this soup.
  • Easily mince garlic with a garlic press. No peeling cloves is required!
  • This Henckels chef’s knife makes chopping vegetables a breeze.

How to make leftover turkey soup

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

sautéing onions and adding potatoes and broth to a soup pot

In a soup pot or Dutch oven, sauté the onion until golden. Add in the garlic, and cook until fragrant. Add in the celery, carrots, potatoes, broth, water, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle boil.

adding leftover turkey to a soup pot and mixing in cream

Reduce the heat, partly cover, and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes. Add in the turkey meat, and let it simmer more until the potatoes are cooked through. Stir in the cream and season with salt & pepper as needed.

Substitutions and variations

  • This recipe would work well with cooked chicken as well. It doesn’t have to be turkey! Or even leftover turkey breast meat will work.
  • I chose little potatoes, but you can definitely use the same weight of regular-sized potatoes.
  • This is a flexible soup. Throw in whatever veggies you have on hand that need using up.

What to serve with turkey soup

  • This is a hearty and filling soup, so all you need is a slice of some fresh crusty bread to go with it.
  • For a soup and salad combo, try spring mix with my Creamy Balsamic Dressing or this homemade Italian Dressing. No blender is needed for either of them!

Leftovers and storage

  • Store leftover turkey soup in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
  • Reheat over a slow heat slowly until warmed through, taking care to not dry out the turkey.
  • You can freeze this one for up to 3 months.
a pot of leftover turkey soup with a ladle

If you made this leftover turkey soup, please leave a star rating and review below! Ask any questions not answered above. Tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram with your creations.

a bowl of leftover turkey soup
4.98 from 42 votes

Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

This easy leftover turkey soup recipe is fast, simple to make, and healthy. It's loaded with vegetables and has a silky and irresistibly seasoned broth!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
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 baby potatoes cut into halves
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups cooked turkey meat or more, to taste
  • 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over 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, potatoes, 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 open. 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 baby 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.003g, Cholesterol: 57mg, Sodium: 699mg, Potassium: 842mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 6448IU, Vitamin C: 27mg, Calcium: 71mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.

Leave a star rating and comment below!

This recipe was originally published on November 13, 2017. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!


Hi! I’m Natasha.

Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!

The Salt & Lavender cookbook is here! Order Now

4.98 from 42 votes (7 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Please leave a recipe rating!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

118 Comments

  1. 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!

    1. Natasha says:

      That’s a great idea!

  2. Anne Kee says:

    5 stars
    I made this soup. Very good. I used some left over smoked turkey. The turkey flavor really came through.

    1. Natasha says:

      Excellent!! So pleased to hear that, Anne! 😀

  3. Molly says:

    Could Turkey Broth be used instead of Vegetable or Chicken?

    1. Natasha says:

      Absolutely 🙂

  4. Michele Liddick says:

    5 stars
    This came out sooooo yummy!!!

    1. Natasha says:

      Awesome!!

  5. Alyce says:

    Suggestions for use a different cream other than heavy cream .

    1. 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.

    2. Alyssa says:

      I used leftover mashed potatoes! It was awesome

  6. 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.

    1. Natasha says:

      I’m so glad you like the soup and great tip for making it ahead! XO

  7. 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!

    1. Natasha says:

      I’m so happy to hear that! 🙂

  8. 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

    1. Natasha says:

      I’m so glad it worked out for you, Jill! 🙂

    2. Debbie says:

      This is a very easy recipe to follow and make! Definitely a winner. I did add cabbage and less potatoes.. Added coconut milk with no sugar for creaminess!!
      Very delicious!
      Thank you

      1. Natasha says:

        You’re welcome!

  9. 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!

    1. 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!

  10. Jk says:

    Can you reheat soup with the cream in it?

    1. Natasha says:

      Absolutely. Just try not to boil it. 🙂