This leftover turkey soup is the best way to use Thanksgiving turkey leftovers. Tender shredded turkey, fresh vegetables, noodles and a rich, savory broth make this a simple, yet comforting meal everyone looks forward to after the holidays.

Leftover turkey soup with shredded turkey, vegetables and noodles in a white bowl.

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Best Leftover Turkey Soup

If you need a recipe to use up leftover roasted turkey or smoked turkey, definitely give this leftover turkey soup a try!

If you like chicken noodle soup, you’ll love this version with leftover Thanksgiving turkey, vegetables, and egg noodles. You can also omit the noodles or swap in rice, similar to this chicken and rice soup.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Easy to make. Everything cooks in just one pot, making clean up super easy and quick. Done is less than 1 hour.
  • Best use of leftovers. This easy turkey soup recipe makes the most of leftover turkey and extra vegetables from your holiday sides.
  • Comfort food. Like chicken pot pie soup, the savory flavor and hearty texture make this leftover turkey soup the ultimate comfort meal!

Recipe Ingredients

Turkey soup ingredients including leftover turkey, carrots, celery, onion, broth, water, thyme, butter and noodles.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Turkey: Use leftover turkey that’s been cooked and shredded. Using both white and dark meat adds the best flavor.
  • Veggies: Chopped celery, onions and carrots (mirepoix) are sauteed in butter to add the perfect aroma to the turkey soup.
  • Noodles: Uncooked elbow noodles are my favorite to use, but egg noodles or any other small pasta shape will work, too.
  • Broth: You can use chicken broth or make your own homemade turkey stock which will make it even more rich and flavorful.
  • Herbs and spices: A simple mix of fresh thyme or dried thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper is all that’s needed to flavor this leftover turkey soup.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Veggies: Spinach, kale, peas, green beans, potatoes and corn.
  • Protein: No leftover Thanksgiving turkey, no worries! Try shredded chicken or oven roasted chicken.
  • Seasonings: Other spices that would taste delicious are parsley, sage, marjoram, rosemary, a bay leaf and poultry seasoning.
  • Grains: Instead of noodles, add couscous, cooked white rice, brown rice or a wild rice blend.
  • Creamy: Make a roux to add to this easy turkey soup recipe or just whisk some flour with some half and half and stir it in near the end. You could also add in 1/2 cup heavy cream.

How to Make Turkey Soup

This recipe for leftover turkey soup takes just 15 minutes to prep and is ready to devour in just about 45 minutes.

Showing how to make a recipe for leftover turkey soup in a 4 step collage.
  1. Cook the veggies. In a large pot over medium-heat, add in carrots, onion, celery and butter. Cook until onions are soft, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add in liquids. Next add chicken broth (or turkey stock) and water to the pot and bring to a boil. Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. Mix in noodles and meat. Then stir in the noodles, cooked turkey, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Cook for additional 10 to 12 minutes (until noodles are cooked through).
  4. Serve. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with a leftover homemade dinner roll from your Thanksgiving meal! Add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten flavors if desired.
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This recipe was the inspiration needed to figure out a way to make a veggie-filled turkey soup for my family. Thank you for this recipe and the chance to change leftovers into something comforting on a cold day. :-)

Dina
Close up of leftover turkey soup in a white pot.

Recipe FAQs

How long after cooking turkey can you make soup?

Cooked turkey will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. It’s best to make this soup within the first couple of days after Thanksgiving so the turkey stays fresh, especially if you plan to store leftovers for later.

What to serve with turkey soup?

Crusty French bread, sweet cornbread or leftover holiday rolls like Lion House rolls are all delicious served on the side.

What else can I make with leftover turkey?

Leftover turkey works well in most recipes that call for cooked chicken. Try using it in casseroles, pot pies, quesadillas, enchiladas, turkey salad, or pasta dishes.

How long does this recipe for leftover turkey soup last in the fridge?

Store soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. Reheat on the stove oven medium-heat, until the soup is warm throughout. You may need to add in a little more broth or stock if the soup has thickened.

Can I freeze leftover turkey soup?

If you’re planning to freeze the turkey soup recipe, I’d recommend leaving out the noodles when cooking. They tend to get mushy when frozen and reheated. Cool soup completely then store in an airtight container in the freeze for a few months.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then warm on stove. Add freshly cooked noodles to soup before serving.

Ladle full of leftover turkey soup read to serve.

Other ways we enjoy leftover turkey recipes, are making this turkey pot pie, turkey tetrazzini and turkey cranberry sliders!

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Leftover turkey soup in a white bowl.

Turkey Soup Recipe

4.97 from 88 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Leftover turkey soup made with a rich broth, tender chunks of turkey, fresh vegetables and noodles is the best way to use Thanksgiving leftovers!
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Ingredients 

  • 2 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 1-2 cups sliced carrots
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup water
  • 43.5 ounces chicken broth (or turkey stock)
  • 1 cup elbow noodles , uncooked
  • 2 ½ cups turkey , cooked and shredded
  • 1-2 teaspoons fresh thyme , or 1/4 teaspoon dried
  • ¼ – ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt , plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper , plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • In a large pot over medium-heat, melt butter. Add the carrots, celery, and onion. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until onions are softened. Add the water and broth to the pot. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes. 
  • Add the noodles, turkey, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Return a boil, and cook for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked. Ladle into bowls and serve warm.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Variations: You can also use leftover oven roasted chicken for this recipe too. Tastes just as yummy!
Storage: This soup will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. 
Freeze: Make the recipe without the noodles and store in an airtight container in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator over night. Cook the noodles in a separate pot while you warm the soup. Once noodles are cooked, add to soup and enjoy. 

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 34mg, Sodium: 959mg, Potassium: 508mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 7300IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 46mg, Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.