There's something so comforting about a warm bowl of homemade soup, especially when it brings new life to your holiday leftovers. This Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe turns simple ingredients into a cozy, nourishing meal that feels like a warm hug from the inside out.

A light grey bowl holds a clear soup with layers of shredded chicken, bright orange carrot slices, light green celery pieces, and pale yellow potato chunks, all floating in a golden broth. The soup is sprinkled with small dark green herb bits on top. The bowl rests on a white marbled surface, partially covered by a black and white checkered cloth and a white napkin, with a wooden bowl of seeds and fresh green herbs nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love how easily this soup comes together, using just a handful of everyday ingredients to transform leftover turkey into something fresh and delicious. It’s the perfect way to stretch your holiday bounty while enjoying a wholesome, satisfying meal any day of the week.

Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples plus turkey, making it fuss-free and approachable.
Quick to prepare: Takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy days.
Hearty and comforting: The potatoes, fresh herbs, and turkey create a rich, satisfying flavor.
Flexible: Easily customizable to your taste or whatever you have on hand in the fridge.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This leftover turkey soup recipe brings together fresh veggies, tender potatoes, and flavorful herbs that complement turkey beautifully. Each element plays an important role in building layers of taste and texture, so I don’t recommend cutting corners on the veggies or herbs if you want maximum warmth and comfort in every bowl.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of extra virgin olive oil, three peeled and sliced medium carrots, two sliced celery ribs, one medium diced onion, three peeled whole garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl with kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl with freshly ground black pepper, two peeled and diced Yukon gold potatoes, two fresh thyme sprigs, one fresh bay leaf, a small white ceramic bowl of low-sodium chicken broth, a small pile of shredded natural turkey meat, and a small white ceramic bowl with roughly chopped fresh parsley all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Extra virgin olive oil: Perfect for sautéing the veggies gently without overpowering their natural flavors.
Carrots: Add sweetness and color; I like to slice them evenly for consistent texture.
Celery: Gives a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness from carrots.
Onion: Provides the savory base note that deepens the soup’s flavor.
Garlic: Just the right punch of aroma and taste without being overwhelming.
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing every ingredient.
Yukon gold potatoes: Creamy and tender, they thicken the broth naturally while adding substance.
Fresh thyme and bay leaf: These herbs infuse the broth with that classic, comforting herbal aroma.
Low-sodium chicken broth: The flavorful liquid base that ties everything together, low sodium lets you adjust seasoning as you go.
Shredded turkey meat: The star ingredient - lean, tender, and perfect for soaking up all those rich flavors.
Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, bright finish that lifts the entire dish just before serving.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about a good leftover turkey soup recipe is how easy it is to make it truly your own. I often swap in seasonal veggies or add a handful of greens if I have them on hand. Feel free to personalize based on what you love or what’s lurking in your fridge.

Variation: Sometimes, I’ll stir in some cooked barley or rice near the end for extra heartiness — it’s like turning my soup into a one-pot feast!
Dietary tweak: For a lower-carb option, swap the potatoes for diced zucchini or cauliflower florets.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic if you like a little heat.
Use homemade broth: If you have turkey stock saved from your roast, use it for even richer flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

A white pot on a white marbled surface holds a mixture of soup ingredients. At the bottom, small chopped pieces of onion and celery are lightly cooked and translucent. Above these, bright orange round carrot slices and green curved celery pieces add color, scattered all around. In the middle, a cluster of pale yellow potato cubes sits on top of the vegetables. Resting on the potato cubes is a green bay leaf and a few sprigs of fresh thyme with small green leaves. On the right side, light golden broth is being poured gently from a measuring cup into the pot. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté the Veggies Until Soft and Fragrant

Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Toss in your diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Stir often to keep everything cooking evenly. You’re aiming for the veggies to soften but not brown — about 4 to 5 minutes works great. When the onions become translucent and the aroma fills your kitchen, add the minced garlic, along with salt and pepper. Stir just for another minute so that garlic doesn’t burn but releases those fragrant oils.

Step 2: Let the Potatoes and Broth Work Their Magic

Next, stir in the diced Yukon gold potatoes, fresh thyme sprigs, and a bay leaf. Pour in 5 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, then bring everything to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. This slow cook lets the potatoes soak up flavors and thicken the soup just a little without any heavy cream.

Step 3: Add Turkey and Finish with Fresh Parsley

Now stir in your shredded turkey meat and let it warm through for a minute or two. Don’t overcook at this stage – you just want the turkey heated, not dried out. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf for a clean bite. Stir in the fresh parsley, giving the soup a bright herbal finish just before serving.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Ladle your soup into bowls, add an extra sprinkle of parsley or black pepper if you like, and dive in. Trust me, the first spoonful will feel like pure comfort.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that really make this leftover turkey soup recipe shine. These small tweaks help you avoid common pitfalls and boost flavor without added fuss.

Don’t skip softening the veggies: This step unlocks natural sweetness and adds depth to your soup’s base flavor.
Use low-sodium broth: It’s easier to control salt and season perfectly than to fix an overly salty soup later.
Fresh herbs over dried: Whenever possible, fresh thyme and parsley create brighter, fresher notes that elevate the soup.
Avoid overcooking the turkey: Since turkey is already cooked, gently warming it keeps the meat tender and juicy.

How to Serve Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

leftover turkey soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of keeping it simple here: a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and a crack of black pepper right before serving. Sometimes I add a few croutons or a swirl of sour cream for a bit of richness. If you’re feeling adventurous, a zest of lemon peel brightens it up nicely.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a fresh green salad. I often serve it alongside a warm baguette or some garlic toast for dipping. If you want a more filling meal, a side of roasted root vegetables or a light grain salad works beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday leftovers or cozy dinner parties, I like to serve this soup in mini pumpkin bowls or inside hollowed-out bread bowls — it feels festive and super inviting. You could also top it with a little crispy turkey skin or crumbled bacon for an extra crunch that everyone loves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I transfer leftover turkey soup into airtight containers and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping it covered tightly helps retain the fresh flavors and prevents it from absorbing other aromas in the fridge.

Freezing

This soup freezes really well, which is perfect for meal prepping. I portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-top bags, then freeze for up to 3 months. Just leave a little space for expansion, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftover turkey soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. This method preserves the texture of the veggies and keeps the turkey moist. If the soup is too thick after refrigerating, a splash of broth or water brings it back to a lovely pouring consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use dark meat or white meat turkey in this soup?

Absolutely! This leftover turkey soup recipe works wonderfully with either dark or white meat. Dark meat adds a bit more richness and moisture, while white meat keeps the soup leaner. Feel free to mix and match based on what you have.

What’s the best way to shred leftover turkey for the soup?

After removing the skin and bones, I like to gently pull the turkey apart with two forks or my hands while it’s cold or room temperature — it results in perfect, bite-sized shredded pieces that warm quickly in the soup.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

You can certainly adapt the base by using vegetable broth and skipping the turkey. To replace the protein, try adding cooked beans or lentils. Keep in mind the flavor profile will shift, but it will still be a comforting, hearty soup.

How can I make the soup thicker or creamier?

To thicken this leftover turkey soup recipe, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot and stir them back in, which creates a natural creaminess. Alternatively, a splash of cream or coconut milk added at the end will give it a richer texture.

Final Thoughts

This leftover turkey soup recipe holds a special place in my heart because it stretches beyond just using leftovers — it turns simple ingredients into a bowl full of comfort and nourishment that feels homemade and satisfying. I hope when you try it, you get that same cozy feeling I do, like sitting down with a dear friend and sharing something warm and delicious. So grab your turkey, your pot, and maybe a cozy blanket, and enjoy!