Since I cooked a 22-lb bird yesterday, we have tons of leftover meat around here. It will be used up with a combination of meals: Pilgrim sandwiches, turkey tacos, and After Thanksgiving Turkey Soup.
For a long time, I never enjoyed homemade turkey soup—probably because most recipes boil the carcass for broth. That type of broth always tastes and smells bad to me, so I thought I hated the soup. Turns out, I just hated the broth!
My version is quick and easy, with boxed broth. (Because seriously, after cooking a Thanksgiving feast, who wants to spend another entire day in the kitchen…)
To make After Thanksgiving Turkey Soup, you will need:
- 2-3 cups leftover turkey (I only used white, but a combo is fine)
- 1 TBS olive oil
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 2 cloves chopped garlic
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- 1 carton prepared chicken broth (I use Swanson)
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 cup uncooked orzo (can substitute another small pasta or rice)
- Juice of a lemon
- Handful of fresh parsley (optional)
Heat oil in a large pot, then add carrots, celery, garlic, and salt pepper. Cook until veggies begin to soften, approximately 10 minutes. Add broth/water. When it boils, put in the orzo and cook for 7 minutes. Add meat, lemon juice, and parsley. Stir to combine, turn down heat, and simmer for an additional 20 minutes.
With bread or rolls and a green salad on the side, turkey soup makes a nice dinner—one that’s considerably lighter than most of us had last night, too.
How are you using up Thanksgiving leftovers?
Looks really delicious. Wish I had thought of this.
So nice of you to say. Thank you.
This looks super yummy and a great way to use left over turkey, I just wished I would have had some.
This is such a great idea and it looks so healthy and perfect for this cold weather.
This sounds good!
This looks absolutely delicious! I love all of the ingredients you used!
I have to try this!
The After Thanksgiving I am going to try tomorrow, sounds very good and hearty.
I always make a Turkey Pot pie thee days after Thaksgiving
Looks great, love turkey leftovers. I do want to make the turkey tacos 🙂
What a great idea! Sounds delicious!
I have some turkey in the freezer and was looking for some recipes…hadn’t thought of soup, but this sounds good…and easy (and that’s important) so I’m going to give it a try…already saved your recipe. thanks