This creamy vegetable, turkey, rice soup is the best leftover turkey soup ever. I always keep the recipe on hand for after holiday meals like Thanksgiving!
I know you are probably knee deep in pie crust, recipe prep, and chaotic stress right now. And I don’t want to interrupt you.
But please promise you’ll bookmark this recipe and revisit it the day after Thanksgiving, because trust me, you don’t want to miss your chance to use some of those precious turkey leftovers in this incredibly delicious soup.
It is one of the best soups EVER. Good news: in the off-turkey season, it works great with cooked chicken. However, I have to say that I like it better with turkey. I don’t know why. I’m sure there’s some placebo effect going on in there, but either way, it’s one of my favorite ways to use turkey leftovers.
And that’s saying a lot because this girl looks forward to Thanksgiving each year mainly in anticipation of leftover turkey sandwiches on homemade rolls.
I wouldn’t wait too long after Thanksgiving to prepare the soup as cooked turkey only lasts a few days in the fridge. If you don’t think you’ll prepare this soup within a few days, it’s best to place the turkey in the freezer. You can always thaw it another time to make this delicious soup.
How to easily thicken the soup
My favorite thickening hack for creamy soups is to blend flour with milk or half and half and whisk that into the soup instead of making a separate roux on the stovetop. It also saves a few calories since no butter is involved – a slight travesty, but worth it in the long run.
I mean, we all just indulged in probably the highest calorie meal of the year, so omitting a little butter is in the good interest of us all.
In this soup, I use half and half, but milk will work just fine (avoid skim milk if you can – it can turn the soup grainy and doesn’t thicken the soup as well).
Then in goes the turkey! I use a mix of white and dark meat. And like I mentioned above, if you are viewing this post in March and there’s no leftover turkey in sight, go ahead and throw in some cooked chicken. No one will be the wiser.
However, if you have enough leftover turkey to freeze, you CAN make it in March and relive savory Thanksgiving flavors again.
This soup is thick and creamy, hearty and comforting.
It takes on some serious creamy chicken and wild rice vibes, yet it still lives in its own little world. The turkey and simple seasonings make sure of that.
I actually think it’s my favorite creamy veggie + rice soup in the long lineup of similar soups I have on my blog. It is the perfect soup for a cold night (especially a day or two after an indulgent holiday meal).
While languishing in your pie and homemade roll comas, promise me you won’t forget about this one!
What kind of rice to use for leftover turkey soup
Once a little broth is added (leftover turkey stock? use it!), in goes the rice. Now, this part is open to wild interpretation. If you only have white rice, use it! But this turkey soup is fantastic with hearty brown rice or a brown and wild rice combo.
I like to use a brown rice blend with some different varieties of brown rice and some wild rice, too. I’m pretty sure I found it at Costco, but you can search the rice aisle for a blend that works for you and then adjust the simmering time to account for whatever variety you are using.
Brown and wild rices will take longer to cook than white rice.
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Soup
FAQ
Can I use week old turkey for soup?
How long can you keep turkey carcass before making soup?
Can I make turkey soup after 6 days?
How long is turkey good for in soup?
Can you put cooked turkey soup in the fridge?
If you put hot soup in the fridge, it can raise the temperature of the fridge, which can cause other foods to spoil. How long can cooked turkey soup last in the freezer? If stored properly, cooked turkey soup can last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
Can you add vegetables to cooked turkey soup?
Yes, you can add vegetables to cooked turkey soup. In fact, adding more vegetables can make it even more delicious and nutritious. Consider adding carrots, celery, potatoes or any other vegetables you like to the soup. How to store leftovers if there’s still soup left after 3-4 days?
Can you eat leftover Turkey Soup?
Since leftover turkey will keep for 3-4 days you want to be able to cook and eat your soup within this time. If you aren’t going to make the soup within a few days, it’s best to freeze your leftover turkey as soon as possible and then defrost it when you want to make the soup. Why is my turkey soup so bland?