Leftover Turkey Soup

Leftover turkey soup might just be my favorite meal of the entire holiday season, and I mean that. It takes everything sitting in your fridge after Thanksgiving and turns it into something warm, satisfying, and genuinely craveable. I make this every single year, and it never lasts more than a day.

I still remember standing in the kitchen the morning after my first Thanksgiving hosting. I had a whole carcass, shredded turkey piled in a bowl, and bags of carrots and celery I had no plan for. I threw everything into my Dutch oven, and by lunchtime the whole house smelled incredible. That bowl of turkey noodle soup was honestly better than the Thanksgiving dinner itself. This recipe is practical, comforting, and ridiculously easy to pull together with what you already have on hand.

Everything You Need for a Great Turkey Soup

I always lay my ingredients out before starting – it keeps things moving smoothly and helps you catch anything missing early. For the richest flavor, I strongly recommend using homemade turkey broth made from the leftover turkey carcass if you saved it. Store-bought chicken broth works well too and is a perfectly solid option.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced into roughly half-inch pieces
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced – fresh is noticeably better than pre-minced here
• 8 cups turkey or chicken broth – Pro tip: simmer the turkey carcass with water, an onion, and a bay leaf for a couple hours to get a deeply flavorful homemade stock
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cups leftover cooked turkey, shredded or diced – I prefer shredded because it weaves into every bite of noodle and vegetable
• 1 cup uncooked egg noodles or small pasta – ditalini, orzo, or rice all work as great substitutes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Best Leftover Turkey Soup

I prefer using a large Dutch oven for this recipe because it holds heat evenly and gives you plenty of room to stir comfortably. Follow these steps and you will have a steaming, beautiful pot of leftover turkey soup on the table in about 35 minutes.

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the onion turns translucent. The kitchen should smell gently savory and sweet at this stage.

Step 2: Add the minced garlic and stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant. Keep a close eye on it – garlic burns fast and turns bitter, which can affect the entire pot.

Step 3: Pour in the turkey or chicken broth and add the dried thyme and bay leaves. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes. This step is where the flavors really come together and the broth deepens in taste.

Step 4: Stir in the shredded leftover turkey and the uncooked egg noodles. Cook for 6-8 minutes, checking the noodles starting at 6 minutes. They should be tender but still have slight firmness. Do not overcook – noodles continue softening in the hot broth even after the heat is off.

Step 5: Remove and discard both bay leaves. Taste the broth and season generously with salt and black pepper. Do not skip this step – proper seasoning is what makes the soup go from good to great.

Step 6: Ladle into bowls and scatter fresh chopped parsley over the top. Serve immediately while hot.

Simple Ways to Serve Your Turkey Noodle Soup

This soup pairs well with sides that add texture and contrast without competing with the savory, herby broth. Here are some of the best pairings for leftover turkey soup:

Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls: Thick slices of crusty bread are ideal for soaking up every last drop of broth. The chewy texture and neutral flavor let the soup shine.

Simple Green Salad with Vinaigrette: A crisp salad with a bright, acidic dressing cuts through the richness of the soup and rounds out the meal with freshness.

Crackers: Simple and satisfying. Buttery crackers alongside a bowl of soup is a low-effort pairing that works especially well for a casual weeknight dinner.

Parmesan Cheese on Top: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan adds a savory, nutty depth that elevates each spoonful. It melts slightly into the hot broth and makes the whole bowl feel more indulgent.

More Cozy Soups and Comfort Meals to Try

If this leftover turkey soup hit the spot, there are plenty more hearty bowls worth making on cold days. For another deeply comforting one-pot meal, try the rich and satisfying Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Mushroom Soup or the family-favorite Chicken Orzo Tomato Soup, which uses a similar base of simple vegetables and tender chicken in a flavorful broth.

When you want something heartier to round out a meal, pair this soup with a thick slice of Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread for dipping, or make it part of a cozy spread alongside the warming Slow Cooker Cowboy Soup. All four recipes are weeknight-friendly and built for feeding a hungry crowd with minimal effort.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Turkey Soup

This soup stores well and tastes just as good the next day. Transfer completely cooled soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Keep in mind that the noodles will continue absorbing broth as the soup sits, so it will be noticeably thicker when you open it the next day.

To reheat, warm it on the stovetop over medium heat until fully hot throughout, adding a splash of extra broth or water to loosen the texture. For a single portion, microwave in 1 to 2 minute intervals, stirring in between each round. If reheating from frozen, always thaw overnight in the refrigerator before warming.

Pro tip: freeze this soup without the noodles for the best results. Noodles become soft and waterlogged after freezing and thawing. The turkey and broth base freeze beautifully in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Simply cook a fresh batch of noodles and stir them into the reheated soup when you are ready to serve.

Questions About Making Leftover Turkey Soup

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