Turkey Vegetable Soup Recipe (2024)

Turkey Vegetable Soup is a great way to use up leftovers after Thanksgiving. This comforting and nutritious soup is easy to make and perfect for a fall or winter evening.

This flavorful turkey soup is full of veggies and the turkey provides lots of protein. It is all cooked in one pot. It’s quick enough to make on a weeknight and filling enough for any meal of the day. Soup is my go-to meal as it’s so tasty and easy to make (see my 30 Healthy Soup Recipes if you don’t believe me or check out my Chicken Noodle Soup recipe too!).

It’s also a great meal prep recipe because it can be divided into individual servings and kept for healthy lunches. Reheat it for just a minute in the microwave to have a hearty lunch anywhere.

Ingredients to Make Turkey Vegetable Soup

Pancetta (or Bacon): I love crispy pancetta on top of my soup but if you don’t have it, you can simply throw in some bacon if you’re feeling it.

Vegetables: Toss in some medium carrots, celery stalks and onions for that savory base and aromatic goodness.

Butternut Squash: Make this turkey vegetable soup hearty with chunks of butternut squash, adding a creamy texture to the mix.

Passata (or any Tomato Sauce): Use passata or whatever tomato sauce you’ve got to add extra flavor to your soup.

Chicken Broth or turkey broth: I love making my own broth but you can use store-bought broth too.

Seasonings: Sprinkle in some Italian seasoning and season it up just right with a pinch of salt and a dash of black pepper. You can also use garlic and bay leaf.

Leftover Turkey (or Chicken): Use those leftover roasted turkey from your Thanksgiving dinner or freshly cooked chicken to add some protein.

Fresh Parsley for Garnishing: Top it off with a handful of fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Instructions to Make Turkey Soup

Cooking the Pancetta (or Bacon): In a large stock pot over medium high heat, cook pancetta until it becomes crisp. If using bacon, cook until it’s browned. Remove any excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon in the pot. Or you can remove all the fat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Sautéing the Vegetables: Add diced carrots, celery, and onions to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and emit a fragrant aroma.

Adding Butternut Squash and Tomato Base: Stir in diced, peeled butternut squash, cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes to allow slight caramelization. Pour in passata or any tomato sauce, ensuring it mixes well with the vegetables. Then, add chicken broth to the pot and mix all well.

Incorporating leftover turkey meat: Season the soup and then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add cooked turkey or chicken (shredded or diced) into the soup. Simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors.

Adjusting Seasoning and Final Touch: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Serve the soup hot, garnished with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley.

What can I do with my turkey carcass?

When all is said and done on Thanksgiving, you will be left with piles of food to store. This turkey soup is a great way to use up some of the leftover meat. With a plan, you can have your turkey ready to use in other dishes in the days after the big meal.

• Take the turkey apart right away. It will take up way less room in the refrigerator if you cut it into pieces first. Then you’ll have space for all the other leftovers.
• Store the bones and meat separately. These have different uses so label them accordingly.
• Don’t forget to turn those bones into stock! You can do this in a crock pot or pressure cooker. Use the stock in place of store bought chicken broth in this recipe.
• Make sure to include this recipe in your meal plan for the following week!

What vegetables go in turkey Vegetable soup?

This is a turkey soup recipe that can be changed and adapted to suit whatever ingredients you have on hand or prefer. The basic combination of carrots, onion and celery taste great in any soup. But for the other ingredients, you can mix it up and try any of these in your soup:

• Butternut squash
• Red pepper
• Mushrooms
• Green beans
• Corn
• Peas
• Diced tomatoes
• Chili peppers
• Kale

ps: If you’ve got bell peppers and some extra turkey, try my Easy Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers or Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Stuffed Peppers if you’ve got ground turkey.

What To Serve With

1. Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls: Enjoy your turkey vegetable soup with a side of warm, crusty bread or soft dinner rolls for dipping.
2. Side Salad: Freshen up the meal with a simple side salad, like my arugula salad.
3. Cheese and Crackers: Create a delightful board cheese and low-carb cracker, and maybe some sliced fruit. It’s a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
4. Roasted Vegetables: Roast a medley of seasonal vegetables like roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted cauliflower or roasted asparagus.
5. Mashed Potatoes: Keep it comforting with a side of creamy mashed potatoes. They’re an excellent choice to add some heartiness to your meal.

Recipe Variations

Spicy Southwest Turkey Soup: Add jalapeño and black beans, garnish with cilantro and lime.

Coconut Curry Turkey Soup: Use coconut milk, red curry paste, and lime for a Thai twist.

Mediterranean Turkey Soup: Mix in white beans, spinach, oregano, thyme, and balsamic vinegar.

Autumn Harvest Turkey Soup: Include sweet potatoes, season with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Turkey Soup Recipes to Try:

• Turkey Sausage Vegetable Soup
• Easy Homemade Turkey Soup
• Ground Turkey Pasta Soup