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Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

Turn your leftovers into comfort food with this easy Leftover Turkey Soup recipe. Cozy, hearty, and perfect after the holidays.

You know that moment after the holidays when you open the fridge and the leftover turkey is giving you that look? The one that says, “Hey… I’m still here, don’t forget about me”? Yeah. That moment.

I’ve learned to love it. Not just tolerate it, not just shove it into a sandwich (check out my Turkey Cranberry Sandwich Recipe), but really love it — because leftover turkey is like a little gift waiting to be turned into delicious soup.

There’s something about a big pot of soup simmering on the stove that just feels like fall and winter. The smell fills the house, the steam fogs up your glasses, and suddenly you’re wrapped up in the warmest, coziest version of home. And the best part? You didn’t waste a single bite of turkey. Not one.

I’m all about zero-waste cooking. Using leftovers to make soup feels like the most practical and adult-y, — but also kind of indulgent because it tastes so freaking good. You take the turkey, a few carrots, some celery, a bit of onion, maybe a handful of noodles if you’re feeling fancy, and suddenly it’s a bowl of comfort that feeds your soul as much as your stomach.

Leftover turkey soup is forgiving. Messy? Sometimes. Perfectly precise? Not at all. But isn’t that the point of winter cooking? It’s hearty, it’s warm, it’s nourishing, and it’s honest — like the best kind of hug in a bowl.

So here’s my little secret: don’t stress about the turkey. Embrace it. Turn it into soup. Add all the veggies, herbs, and love you want. Let it simmer while you put your feet up. And know that you just made the perfect fall (or winter) meal — no waste, no stress, just a cozy, delicious bowl that makes leftovers feel like a gift.

But just incase you don’t want to just wing it, here is the perfect Turkey Soup Recipe!

Turkey Soup Recipe

Turn your leftovers into comfort food with this easy Leftover Turkey Soup recipe. Cozy, hearty, and perfect after the holidays.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Serving Size 6

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
1 small onion diced
3 carrots sliced
2 celery stalks sliced
3 cloves garlic minced
6 cups turkey or chicken broth homemade if you have it—store-bought totally fine
3 cups cooked leftover turkey shredded or chopped
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning or a mix of thyme + sage
½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 cup egg noodles rice, or small pasta (optional but recommended)

Instructions

Sauté the veggies
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat butter or oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened and smelling amazing.
Add garlic & seasoning
Stir in garlic, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Cook for 30 seconds—just until fragrant.
Pour in broth
Add the broth and bring everything to a gentle boil.
Add turkey & noodles
Stir in leftover turkey and noodles (or rice). Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes, until noodles are tender.
Finish & taste
Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add peas or corn if using and simmer 2–3 more minutes.
Serve warm
Garnish with fresh herbs or a little cracked pepper. Serve with crusty bread or biscuits if you’re feeling fancy.

Notes

Helpful Tips
Too thick? Add more broth or water.
Too thin? Let it simmer uncovered a bit longer.
Want it creamy? Stir in ¼–½ cup cream or milk at the end.
Low-carb option: Skip noodles and add zucchini or spinach instead.

Leftover Turkey Soup FAQ: Storage, Reheating, and Tips

Leftover turkey soup will happily hang out in your fridge for 3–4 days. After that, it’s time to either enjoy it fast or freeze it for later. Trust me, it freezes beautifully — soup just seems to get better with a little time.

Yes! Portion it into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags and it will keep for 2–3 months. Pro tip: If you’re adding noodles or rice, consider freezing the soup without them — you can cook them fresh when reheating so they don’t get mushy.

Simmer gently on the stove until warmed through, or zap it in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. If it’s looking a little thick, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up.

Absolutely. A little splash of milk or cream at the end of cooking makes it rich and cozy. Go light if you want subtle creaminess, or full-on indulgent if it’s one of those “I need comfort now” kind of nights.

Carrots, celery, onions — classic staples. But feel free to toss in anything you have on hand: frozen peas, corn, zucchini, spinach… it’s your soup, your rules.

Yes! If you’ve got turkey bones, simmer them in water with aromatics (onion, garlic, herbs) to make a super flavorful broth. It’s a little extra work, but the flavor payoff is worth it.

Sure! Add a pinch of cayenne, a dash of hot sauce, or some crushed red pepper flakes. Even a little heat makes this cozy soup even cozier (and warming for cold nights).

Divide soup into single-serve containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Bonus: it keeps your fridge organized and means no fighting over the last bowl.

Items I recommend:

Ball Glass Mason Jar w/ Lid & Band, Regular Mouth, 8 Ounces – These containers are perfect for freezing soup — just be sure not to fill them all the way to the top. Leave a little room so the soup can expand as it freezes. They’re also great for prepping your lunches for the week ahead.