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Need a snug way to use up turkey leftovers? My silky Turkey Noodle Soup gives you a warm hug with each taste. The deep flavorful broth packed with garden herbs, crisp vegetables and soft egg noodles turns your leftover bird into a soul-soothing supper. This easy dish is my go-to method for extending those holiday tastes without throwing anything away.
What Makes This After-Feast Soup Special
When the big meal's done, this soup feels like just what the doctor ordered. The velvety broth laced with my top herb picks makes those turkey scraps into pure comfort in a bowl. And guess what? You probably have everything sitting in your pantry already—no need to run to the store. It's the simplest way to keep that holiday feeling going strong.
Your Ingredient List
- Butter: A nice chunk of butter builds that mouth-watering base when cooking your vegetables. Don't try to cut corners here.
- Onion: I go for sweet onions as they soften beautifully into the soup and add wonderful taste.
- Carrots: Newly peeled and chopped carrots bring natural sugar notes and lovely orange hues.
- Celery Stalks: Chopped celery gives that light snap we always want in our soup.
- Minced Garlic: Real garlic is a must in my cooking—it adds so much flavor depth.
- Herbs: My mix of thyme, parsley and basil really wakes up the broth.
- Flour: Just the right amount to create that perfect creamy thickness.
- Turkey Broth: Home-cooked is fantastic but boxed works great too.
- Shredded Turkey: A smart way to enjoy your holiday leftovers.
- Canned Evaporated Milk: My trick for that smooth, rich texture.
- Noodles: Egg noodles really shine here—they drink up all that tasty broth.
- Frozen Peas: A small handful adds bright color and sweet bursts.
Cooking Steps
- Begin With the Vegetables
- Pull out your largest pot and sauté those veggies in melted butter over medium high heat. When they're tender and aromatic, add the garlic and herbs and let them do their thing for about 60 seconds.
- Form the Foundation
- Dust flour over everything and mix until you've created a smooth mixture. This step is what gives our soup its wonderful creaminess.
- Assemble the Soup
- Add your broth and stir until it begins to thicken, roughly 5 minutes. Then toss in your turkey, evaporated milk and egg noodles. Let it all bubble gently until the noodles are tender, about 15 minutes.
- Last Steps
- Mix in those bright peas and warm them through, around 5 minutes. Sample and adjust salt and pepper to your liking. A handful of fresh parsley on top makes it look fancy.
Create Your Own Turkey Broth
Don't chuck that turkey skeleton! Let me share my favorite kitchen hack. Place those bones in your biggest cooking pot, fill with water, toss in herbs you like, and let it all cook slowly for about three hours. Strain and you've got amazing stock for your soup. The taste is unbeatable and it feels great using every part of your holiday turkey.
Store It For Later
This soup stores really well. Put it in a sealed container and it'll stay yummy in your fridge for 3-4 days. Want to keep it even longer? Fill some freezer bags and it'll last several months. When you're ready to eat it again, warm it slowly on the stove or heat single servings in the microwave for a fast comfort food fix.
Round Out Your Comfort Meal
Nothing's better than dipping crunchy bread or warm garlic toast into this soup. Sometimes I go old school with saltine crackers. When I want something green alongside, my kale and cranberry mix or winter chopped salad gives just the right balance. A sprinkle of extra parsley and some fresh ground pepper makes it all look really impressive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Could I swap turkey for chicken?
- Of course! Cooked chicken and chicken stock are great to use instead.
- → How long will this soup last?
- Keep it sealed in the fridge for 3-4 days. Expect the noodles to soak up some broth by then.
- → Is this soup freezer-friendly?
- Creamy soups might separate when frozen. To freeze, skip the evaporated milk and add it fresh when reheating.
- → Can I replace egg noodles?
- Sub in any pasta you like—try shells, rotini, or broken fettuccine. Just follow the pasta's cooking instructions.
- → What’s special about evaporated milk?
- It gives a creamy texture without heaviness and holds up better in soups than regular milk.