Leftover Turkey Soup

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

A creamy soup that gives leftover turkey new life, combined with mushrooms, vegetables, and wild rice. Perfect for post-holiday meals and easy to customize with other leftovers.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:15:28 GMT
A close-up of a creamy chicken soup filled with shredded chicken, vegetables, and herbs in a white bowl. Pin it
A close-up of a creamy chicken soup filled with shredded chicken, vegetables, and herbs in a white bowl. | recipesbyclare.com

My creamy turkey soup transforms holiday leftovers into pure comfort. The rich broth tender turkey and fresh vegetables create something completely new and delicious. It's my favorite way to make those holiday memories last a little longer.

Smart And Delicious

This soup gives leftover turkey new life while saving time in the kitchen. The creamy broth and hearty vegetables turn simple ingredients into something special. Plus it helps reduce food waste which always feels good.

What You Need

  • Good Broth: Four cups turkey or chicken both work.
  • Turkey: Two cups leftover meat chopped up.
  • Mushrooms: One cup sliced fresh ones.
  • Potatoes: Two cups little ones diced small.
  • Carrots: One cup sliced use fresh or roasted.
  • Celery: Half cup adds nice crunch.
  • Wild Rice: Half cup makes it hearty.
  • Fats: Two spoons each butter and oil.
  • Half and Half: One cup makes it creamy.
  • Garlic: Two cloves minced fine.
  • Seasonings: Italian blend salt and pepper.

Start Your Soup

First Flavors
Cook those onions and celery in butter and oil until soft.
Add Mushrooms
Let them get golden then add garlic just a minute.
A close-up of a bowl of creamy chicken soup with chunks of chicken, carrots, and yellow squash, garnished with parsley. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl of creamy chicken soup with chunks of chicken, carrots, and yellow squash, garnished with parsley. | recipesbyclare.com

Building Layers

Make It Rich
Stir flour and herbs into your veggies.
Add Liquid
Pour broth in slowly keep stirring.
More Veggies
Add carrots potatoes rice let it all simmer covered.

Finish Strong

Last Bits
Add your turkey corn and that creamy half and half.
Final Touch
Let everything warm through about ten minutes.

Time To Eat

Serve your soup piping hot with crusty bread on the side. The creamy broth and tender bits of turkey make everyone happy. Pure comfort in every spoonful.

Make It Perfect

Keep your heat medium when cooking vegetables. Stir that broth in slowly no lumps allowed. Taste and season as you go. Take time with those first vegetables they build flavor.

A close-up of a bowl of creamy chicken soup with chunks of chicken, carrots, and yellow vegetables, garnished with parsley. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl of creamy chicken soup with chunks of chicken, carrots, and yellow vegetables, garnished with parsley. | recipesbyclare.com

Save Some For Later

Keeps well two days in the fridge. Warm it slowly on the stove. Skip the freezer though potatoes get funny and cream can separate.

Make It Yours

Those glazed carrots from dinner work great here. Switch up the rice try pasta instead. Leftover gravy makes it even richer.

Good For You Too

You get protein from the turkey plus all those vegetable nutrients. Want it lighter? Try evaporated milk instead of cream still tastes rich.

Pure Comfort

One pot does it all keeps cleanup simple. Those tender vegetables rich broth and bits of turkey create the perfect cold day meal.

A bowl of creamy chicken soup filled with pieces of chicken, carrots, and herbs. Pin it
A bowl of creamy chicken soup filled with pieces of chicken, carrots, and herbs. | recipesbyclare.com

Perfect Partners

Add a fresh salad on the side. Some garlic bread for dipping. Fresh parsley on top makes everything look prettier.

Work Ahead

Cook everything but the rice save that for last when reheating. Keeps the texture just right no mushy rice here.

Holiday Magic

This soup makes those holiday leftovers shine in a whole new way. Simple ingredients careful cooking lots of love that's what makes it special.

A close-up view of a bowl of creamy chicken soup containing shredded chicken, carrots, and colorful vegetables, topped with black pepper and fresh herbs. Pin it
A close-up view of a bowl of creamy chicken soup containing shredded chicken, carrots, and colorful vegetables, topped with black pepper and fresh herbs. | recipesbyclare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, but freeze before adding the cream. When reheating, thaw completely and add fresh cream at the end of reheating. This prevents the cream from separating.

→ What can I substitute for wild rice blend?

You can use all potatoes instead of rice, or try other grains like barley or regular rice. Just adjust cooking time according to what you use.

→ Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, cooked chicken works perfectly in this recipe. Use rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken cut into bite-sized pieces.

→ How do I prevent lumpy flour in my soup?

Make sure to sprinkle flour evenly and stir constantly. When adding broth, pour gradually while stirring to prevent lumps from forming.

→ How long does this soup keep?

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The soup may thicken when chilled; thin with a bit of broth when reheating if needed.

Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

A creamy, comforting soup that transforms leftover turkey into a whole new meal. Packed with vegetables, wild rice, and tender turkey in a rich broth.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (6 servings)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 tablespoon butter.
02 1 tablespoon olive oil.
03 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped.
04 1/2 cup celery, chopped.
05 4 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced.
06 1 garlic clove, crushed.
07 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
08 3 tablespoons flour.
09 6 cups turkey or chicken broth.
10 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced.
11 1/2 pound baby potatoes, halved.
12 1/2 cup wild rice blend.
13 1 cup half & half.
14 4 cups cooked turkey, shredded.
15 1/2 cup corn.
16 Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat butter and oil in large pot. Cook onion and celery until soft, 4-5 minutes.

Step 02

Add mushrooms and cook 3-4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Step 03

Reduce heat to medium-low. Add Italian seasoning and flour, stir for 1 minute.

Step 04

Gradually stir in broth to prevent lumps. Add carrots, potatoes and rice.

Step 05

Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer covered until rice is nearly done (20-35 minutes depending on rice type).

Step 06

Add half and half, turkey and corn. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Notes

  1. Can use leftover vegetables and gravy in place of fresh ingredients.
  2. Mushrooms can be omitted if preferred.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 325
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Protein: 24 g