Hearty Turkey Carcass Soup with Barley
This Hearty Turkey Carcass Soup has been a cherished family recipe for generations, transforming leftover turkey into a comforting, nourishing meal. Simmered to perfection with a medley of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and tender turkey meat, each bowl is filled with rich flavors and nutrients. The addition of barley or rice adds heartiness to the soup, making it a complete and satisfying dish that warms you from the inside out. Perfect for cozy dinners, this recipe helps you make the most of your holiday turkey leftovers.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
30
Ingredients
Ingredients
turkey carcass
1 (broken into pieces)
pan juices or leftover gravy
as needed (defatted)
water
12 cups (to cover the carcass completely)
onions
2 medium (coarsely chopped)
celery
2 stalks (coarsely chopped with leaves)
carrot
1 cup (diced)
leek
1/2 cup (diced, optional)
turnip
1/2 cup (diced)
garlic
3 cloves (minced)
salt
1 teaspoon (if desired)
bouquet garni
1 (to infuse flavors)
fresh parsley
6 sprigs (or 2 tsp dried parsley flakes)
dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon (to flavor)
bay leaf
1 (to enhance flavor)
minced onions
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
minced garlic clove
1 (for sautéing)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
diced carrot
1/2 cup (for the soup)
diced celery
1/2 cup (for the soup)
finely chopped mushroom
1/2 cup (for the soup)
flour
1 1/2 tablespoons (for thickening)
turkey stock
6-7 cups (strained from stock preparation)
dried marjoram
1 teaspoon (to season)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
freshly ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
raw barley or rice
1/3 cup (for adding heartiness)
hot pepper sauce
to taste (optional)
diced turkey meat
1 cup (for adding to the soup)
dash of hot pepper sauce
1 (optional)
chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the stock: In a large stock pot, combine the turkey carcass, defatted pan juices or leftover gravy, water, onions, celery, carrots, leek (if using), turnip, garlic, salt (if desired), bouquet garni, parsley, thyme, and bay leaf.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer, partially covered, for 2 to 3 hours. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor becomes. Make sure to monitor the liquid level and add more water if necessary.
3
Once the stock is ready, strain it and allow it to cool. Skim off any fat that rises to the surface.
4
Remove all the meat from the turkey carcass, shredding it into bite-sized pieces, and refrigerate it until you are ready to add it to the soup. Discard the bones, skin, and other solid remnants.
5
For the soup, heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, sautéing until they are soft and fragrant.
6
Add the diced carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the pot, cooking for an additional 5 minutes while stirring occasionally.
7
Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables, stirring well for about one minute to remove any raw flour taste.
8
Pour in the prepared turkey stock, then stir in the marjoram, salt, pepper, and your choice of barley or rice. Stir to combine all ingredients.
9
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and partially cover the pot. Allow it to simmer for about one hour, stirring occasionally.
10
After an hour, add the shredded turkey meat and, if desired, a dash of hot pepper sauce. Adjust seasoning according to taste.
11
Heat the soup until it reaches a gentle boil, then remove it from the heat. Just before serving, sprinkle fresh parsley over each bowl.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Turkey Carcass Soup with Barley?
It is a comforting, nourishing meal made by transforming a leftover turkey carcass and meat into a rich soup with vegetables, herbs, and barley or rice.
How long should the turkey stock simmer?
The stock should simmer for 2 to 3 hours to achieve a rich flavor, though longer simmering can enhance the taste further.
What are the main ingredients for the turkey stock?
The stock is prepared using a turkey carcass, pan juices or gravy, water, onions, celery, carrots, leek, turnip, garlic, and a blend of herbs.
Can I use leftover gravy in this recipe?
Yes, defatted pan juices or leftover gravy can be added to the stock pot to provide additional depth and richness to the base.
What can I substitute for barley in this soup?
If you do not have barley, you can use an equal amount of raw rice to provide heartiness to the dish.
How much water is needed to make the stock?
The recipe calls for approximately 12 cups of water, or enough to cover the turkey carcass completely in the stock pot.
What vegetables are sautéed for the soup base?
The soup base involves sautéing minced onion, garlic, diced carrots, celery, and finely chopped mushrooms.
Why is flour added to the vegetables?
Flour is sprinkled over the sautéed vegetables and cooked for a minute to help thicken the soup base.
How long should the soup simmer once the barley is added?
After adding the turkey stock and barley, the soup should simmer for about one hour until the grains are tender.
When should the shredded turkey meat be added?
The shredded turkey meat is added to the pot during the final stage of cooking, after the soup has simmered for an hour.
Is the leek a required ingredient for the stock?
No, the diced leek is an optional ingredient that can be included for extra flavor if available.
What herbs are used in the stock preparation?
The stock is flavored with a bouquet garni, fresh parsley, dried thyme leaves, and a bay leaf.
How should the turkey carcass be prepared?
The carcass should be broken into pieces to fit better in the stock pot and to allow for better flavor extraction.
Can I add spice to this turkey soup?
Yes, you can add a dash of hot pepper sauce to the soup to adjust the heat according to your preference.
What should I do with the stock after simmering?
Once the stock is ready, it should be strained and cooled so that any fat rising to the surface can be skimmed off.
How many cloves of garlic are used in the stock?
The recipe requires 3 minced cloves of garlic to be added to the stock pot.
What is the recommended garnish for serving?
Freshly chopped parsley is recommended as a garnish to be sprinkled over each bowl just before serving.
How much barley or rice is required for the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of raw barley or rice to add texture and heartiness to the soup.
What final seasonings are used in the soup?
The final soup is seasoned with dried marjoram, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
What type of oil is best for sautéing the vegetables?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used to sauté the onion and garlic for the soup base.
Can I use dried parsley instead of fresh sprigs?
Yes, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of dried parsley flakes for the 6 sprigs of fresh parsley in the stock.
How do I ensure the stock level remains consistent?
You should monitor the liquid level while simmering and add more water if necessary to keep the ingredients covered.
What is done with the vegetables used in the stock?
After the stock is finished, the solid remnants, including the stock vegetables and bones, are discarded after straining.
Is this soup a good use for holiday leftovers?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed to transform holiday turkey leftovers into a complete and satisfying meal.
How much turkey meat is needed for the soup?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of diced or shredded turkey meat to be added back into the soup.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
The pot should be partially covered while simmering the stock and the soup to allow for evaporation and flavor concentration.
How much flour is needed for the thickening process?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 tablespoons of flour to create a light thickness in the soup broth.
What temperature should the vegetables be sautéed at?
The minced onion and garlic should be sautéed over medium heat until they are soft and fragrant.
What size should the turkey meat pieces be?
The turkey meat should be shredded or diced into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
How much turnip is included in the stock?
The recipe includes 1/2 cup of diced turnip to add a subtle earthy flavor to the turkey stock.