Devour That Disgusting Leftover Turkey Soup in 40 Minutes

Okay, so picture this: Thanksgiving (or Christmas!) is over, the family’s gone home, and you’re staring at a fridge full of…turkey. Again. Don’t let it go to waste! My absolute *favorite* thing to do is whip up a big batch of *leftover turkey soup*. Seriously, it’s the coziest, easiest way to transform those holiday leftovers into something totally new and delicious.

Honestly, making turkey soup is practically a family tradition at this point. My grandma always made it the day after Thanksgiving, and now I do too! There’s just something so comforting about a warm bowl of soup on a chilly day, especially when it means I’m not eating turkey sandwiches for the next week. Trust me, you’re going to LOVE this recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Leftover Turkey Soup

Seriously, you’re gonna be obsessed with this soup! Here’s why:

Quick and Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

I’m all about easy, and this recipe is it! You can have a pot of delicious, comforting soup ready in under 40 minutes – perfect for a weeknight meal.

Flavorful and Comforting Leftover Turkey Soup

Wow, the herbs and spices in this soup? They make it SO flavorful and cozy. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, I swear!

Reduce Food Waste with Leftover Turkey Soup

Let’s be real, nobody wants to waste that precious Thanksgiving turkey! This recipe is the *perfect* way to use up those leftovers and feel good about reducing food waste. Win-win!

What You Need to Make Leftover Turkey Soup

Alright, gather ’round! Before we get cooking, let’s make sure you’ve got everything you need for this amazing leftover turkey soup. Don’t worry if you’re missing something, you can always tweak it! But here’s the basics:

Essential Ingredients for the Best Leftover Turkey Soup

The Turkey (4 cups shredded turkey, or chicken)

This is the star of the show! About 4 cups of shredded turkey (or chicken, if that’s what you have!) is perfect. Don’t worry about it being exact!

The Vegetables (1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped; 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into rounds; 1 cup celery, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 cup frozen peas;)

Veggies give the soup so much flavor! Make sure everything is chopped up and ready to go. Frozen peas are super easy, so that’s what I usually use.

The Broth (8 cups low sodium turkey, chicken or veggie broth)

Broth is important! I always go for low sodium – you can always add more salt later, but you can’t take it out! Turkey or chicken broth is my go-to, but veggie broth works great too.

The Couscous (1 cup pearl couscous)

Okay, so I LOVE pearl couscous in this soup! It adds a nice little bite. Make sure it’s *pearl* couscous, not the tiny kind.

The Herbs and Spices (2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 2-3 fresh sage leaves, or 1/2 teaspoon dried sage; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more as needed; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 cup fresh curly parsley leaves, finely chopped; 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice)

These are what really make the soup sing! Don’t be afraid to experiment with the herbs and spices you like. Fresh is amazing if you have it, but dried works just fine too. And a squeeze of lemon juice at the end? Trust me on this one!

How to Make Leftover Turkey Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, time to get cooking! Don’t worry, it’s super easy. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a pot of delicious leftover turkey soup in no time!

Preparing the Base for Your Leftover Turkey Soup

First, grab your biggest pot or Dutch oven. Drizzle in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and warm it up over medium-high heat. Throw in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery and sauté them for about 7 minutes, stirring every now and then, until they start to soften. Then, add your minced garlic and cook for another minute or two. Careful, don’t let the garlic burn!

Now for the good stuff! Toss in your bay leaves, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir it all together so the veggies are coated in those yummy spices. This is where the magic starts to happen, and your kitchen will smell amazing!

Simmering the Leftover Turkey Soup with Couscous

Pour in your broth and bring it to a boil. Once it’s boiling, add your couscous. Then, turn the heat down to low so it’s simmering gently, and cook it uncovered for about 15-20 minutes. You’ll want to stir it occasionally so the couscous doesn’t stick to the bottom. You want the couscous to be cooked through, but not mushy – nobody likes mushy couscous!

Finishing Your Delicious Leftover Turkey Soup

Alright, almost there! Add your shredded turkey, frozen peas, parsley, and lemon juice. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, until the peas are tender and everything is heated through. Don’t overcook it, or the turkey will get dry!

Take out those bay leaves (nobody wants to bite into one of those!), and give your soup a taste. Add more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. If it’s too thick, add a little more broth or water until it’s just how you like it. Now, ladle that liquid gold into bowls and serve it up with some crackers or crusty bread. Enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect Leftover Turkey Soup

Okay, wanna take your leftover turkey soup from good to AMAZING? Here are my top tips for soup perfection!

Choosing the Right Broth for Your Leftover Turkey Soup

Seriously, go for low-sodium broth! Regular broth can be *so* salty, and once everything cooks down, you might end up with soup that’s way too salty to enjoy. You can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away! Trust me on this one.

Cooking Couscous Perfectly in Leftover Turkey Soup

Mushy couscous? No thanks! Keep a close eye on it while it’s simmering. Start checking it around 15 minutes, and don’t overcook it! You want it to be tender, but still have a little bite. If it starts looking like it’s absorbing too much liquid, turn the heat down even lower.

Seasoning Your Leftover Turkey Soup to Perfection

Taste, taste, taste! Before you serve it, give your soup a good taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Does it need a little more salt? A pinch of pepper? Maybe a dash of your favorite hot sauce? Don’t be afraid to experiment until it’s *just right*!

Leftover Turkey Soup Variations

Okay, so you’ve got the basic recipe down, but what if you’re feeling a little adventurous? The best thing about leftover turkey soup is that it’s super easy to customize! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Spice Up Your Leftover Turkey Soup

Want a little kick? Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes while it’s simmering, or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce right before serving. A little spice can really wake up those flavors!

Add Different Vegetables to Your Leftover Turkey Soup

Feel free to swap out or add in different veggies! Diced potatoes, corn, green beans – whatever you’ve got on hand. Just toss ’em in with the carrots and celery. Easy peasy!

Leftover Turkey Soup with Noodles or Beans

Want to make it even heartier? Throw in some noodles or beans! Egg noodles or ditalini work great. Or, add a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or chickpeas for extra protein and fiber. Yum!

Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Turkey Soup

Alright, so you’ve made a big batch of leftover turkey soup (good for you!). Now, what to do with the leftovers? Don’t worry, storing and reheating it is a breeze!

Best Way to Store Leftover Turkey Soup

Just let the soup cool down a bit, then pop it into airtight containers and stick it in the fridge. It’ll keep for 3-4 days. Easy peasy!

Reheating Leftover Turkey Soup

Okay, so here’s the deal: that couscous? It’s gonna soak up some of the broth while it’s chilling in the fridge. No biggie! Just add a splash of broth or water when you reheat it to get it back to that perfect soupy consistency. Heat it up on the stove or in the microwave until it’s nice and hot. And that’s it! Lunch (or dinner!) is served!

Frequently Asked Questions About Leftover Turkey Soup

Got questions about making the *best* leftover turkey soup? I got you covered! Here are some answers to the questions I get asked all the time:

Can I use a different type of pasta in my Leftover Turkey Soup?

Absolutely! If you’re not a couscous fan (gasp!), or just don’t have any on hand, other small pasta shapes work great. Ditalini or orzo are my go-to substitutes. Just add them at the same time you would add the couscous, and cook until they’re tender.

Can I freeze Leftover Turkey Soup?

Yep, you sure can! But here’s a little heads-up: the couscous might get a bit soft after thawing. It’s still totally edible, but the texture might be a little different. If you’re planning on freezing it, you could either leave out the couscous altogether and add it after thawing and reheating, or just be prepared for slightly softer couscous.

How long does Leftover Turkey Soup last in the fridge?

Generally, your leftover turkey soup will be good in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just make sure it’s stored in an airtight container. And, of course, always use your best judgement – if it looks or smells funky, toss it!

Can I make Leftover Turkey Soup without couscous?

Totally! If you’re not into couscous, you can just skip it! Or, you can substitute it with rice or another grain. Just add about a 1/2 cup of cooked rice (or your grain of choice) towards the end of the cooking time, and you’re good to go!

Nutritional Information for Leftover Turkey Soup

Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m giving you some nutritional info for this leftover turkey soup, but keep in mind that it’s just an estimate! It can totally vary depending on the brands you use, the exact amount of turkey, and all that jazz. So, take it with a grain of salt, okay?

Enjoy Your Delicious Leftover Turkey Soup!

Okay, you made it! Time to dig in and enjoy that amazing leftover turkey soup! I really hope you love it as much as my family does. If you do, please, PLEASE rate the recipe and leave a comment below! I love hearing from you guys!

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