Savory Turkey Vegetable Soup
Transform your leftover turkey carcass into a rich and flavorful Savory Turkey Vegetable Soup that warms the soul and delights the palate. This hearty dish marries tender turkey meat with an array of fresh vegetables, complemented by the depth of garlic and tomato sauce. A sprinkle of fresh herbs elevates the flavors, making it perfect for any season. Enjoy this satisfying soup any day of the year with a side of fine egg noodles for a complete meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
leftover turkey carcass
1 (Use the leftover carcass from a cooked turkey.)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (For sautéing the vegetables.)
chicken broth
2 (14.5 ounce) cans (Plus additional water to cover.)
tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce) can (To add flavor and color.)
onion
1 large (Finely chopped.)
celery
5 stalks (Chopped, with 2 reserved for sautéing and remaining added later.)
carrots
2 large (Chopped, to be added later in the cooking process.)
garlic clove
1 (Minced.)
garlic salt
1 tablespoon (For seasoning.)
fresh ground pepper
to taste (For seasoning.)
fresh herbs (parsley, thyme or personal favorites)
to taste (Chopped, for flavor enhancement.)
Instructions
1
In a large soup pot, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat.
2
Add the finely chopped onion, 2 stalks of chopped celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Introduce the leftover turkey carcass to the pot along with the 2 cans of chicken broth, the 8-ounce can of tomato sauce, and enough water to cover the carcass—approximately 8 cups.
4
Stir in your fresh herbs, garlic salt, and freshly ground pepper to taste. If the soup seems too thick, add more water as needed.
5
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld.
6
After simmering, carefully strain the soup into another pot, discarding the carcass and flavoring vegetables.
7
Once strained, return the broth to the original pot. Remove any remaining turkey meat from the carcass and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Add the shredded turkey back into the soup.
8
Chop the remaining celery stalks and add them to the soup along with any extra turkey leftovers, if desired.
9
Increase the heat to bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for an additional 1.5 hours.
10
About 45 minutes before the soup is finished cooking, add the chopped carrots to the pot.
11
Serve hot, ladling the soup over a bed of fine egg noodles for a comforting meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in this soup?
The main protein is shredded meat from a leftover turkey carcass.
How much vegetable oil is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
Which vegetables are sautéed at the beginning?
You should sauté one finely chopped onion, 2 stalks of chopped celery, and one minced garlic clove.
How long should the initial vegetables be sautéed?
Sauté the vegetables for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender and fragrant.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe requires two 14.5-ounce cans of chicken broth.
What size can of tomato sauce should I use?
One 8-ounce can of tomato sauce is used for flavor and color.
How much water is added to the pot initially?
Add enough water to cover the carcass, which is approximately 8 cups.
What seasonings are used in the soup?
The soup is seasoned with 1 tablespoon of garlic salt, fresh ground pepper, and fresh herbs.
How long is the initial simmering time?
The soup should simmer uncovered for 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
Do I need to strain the soup?
Yes, after the first hour of simmering, the soup is strained and the carcass and flavoring vegetables are discarded.
What do I do with the meat from the carcass?
Once the broth is strained, remove any remaining meat from the carcass, shred it into bite-sized pieces, and return it to the pot.
How much celery is used in total?
A total of 5 stalks of celery are used: 2 for the initial sauté and 3 added later after straining.
When do I add the remaining celery?
Add the remaining chopped celery after the broth has been strained and the turkey meat has been added back.
How long does the soup simmer after the turkey meat is added back?
It simmers for an additional 1.5 hours.
When should the carrots be added to the pot?
Add the chopped carrots approximately 45 minutes before the soup is finished cooking.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Ladle the hot soup over a bed of fine egg noodles.
Can I add extra turkey if I have it?
Yes, you can add any extra turkey leftovers along with the shredded meat from the carcass.
What should I do if the soup is too thick?
If the soup is too thick, you can add more water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
What fresh herbs work best in this recipe?
The recipe suggests parsley, thyme, or any of your personal favorite herbs.
Is the onion finely chopped or sliced?
The onion should be finely chopped for this recipe.
How many carrots are used?
The recipe calls for 2 large chopped carrots.
What type of garlic is used for seasoning?
The recipe uses both one minced garlic clove and one tablespoon of garlic salt.
Should the soup be boiled?
Yes, the soup is brought to a rolling boil before the first simmer and brought back to a boil after adding the meat back in.
Is the initial simmer covered or uncovered?
The instructions specify simmering the soup uncovered for the first hour.
What happens to the flavoring vegetables used in the first step?
The flavoring vegetables used during the first simmer are discarded after the soup is strained.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe uses 1 minced garlic clove.
What type of pepper is recommended?
Freshly ground pepper is recommended to taste.
Is this recipe good for leftovers?
Yes, this is an excellent way to transform a leftover holiday turkey carcass.
What type of oil is used for the base?
Vegetable oil is used to sauté the initial aromatics.
Can I use different noodles?
While fine egg noodles are suggested, you can use any pasta or enjoy the soup on its own.