Leftover Turkey Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 onion or 2 shallots
- 1 carrot
large
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 clove garlic
- 4 sprigs thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1.5 litre/6 cups turkey or chicken stock
- 75g/1/2 cup giant/pearl couscous
- 250g/2 cups cooked turkey or chicken
- 2 bay leaves
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp parsley
chopped
Directions
- 1
Saute chopped onion, celery, carrots and a clove of garlic with thyme leaves in oil and butter over low heat for 5 minutes. Add turkey or chicken stock, cooked turkey, bay leaves and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper.
- 2
Add the giant couscous or noodles and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat until the couscous is tender. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.
Leftover Turkey Soup
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 26 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Tired of dry, uninspired turkey leftovers? This Leftover Turkey Soup transforms your holiday remnants, or even a rotisserie chicken, into a comforting, savory meal that feels anything but leftover. It’s the perfect antidote to post-holiday fatigue, delivering deep flavor and satisfying warmth with minimal effort.
This recipe shines by combining simple, aromatic vegetables with your ready-cooked turkey in a rich stock, elevated by hearty giant couscous. The beauty lies in its elegant simplicity; there's no complex technique, just a harmonious blend of familiar ingredients coming together to create something truly delicious. It’s a fuss-free way to enjoy the flavors of a home-cooked meal, even on a busy weeknight.
Expect a deeply satisfying soup with tender pieces of turkey or chicken, soft vegetables like sweet carrots and crisp celery, and the delightful chew of pearl couscous. Each spoonful offers a harmonious balance of savory and aromatic notes from the bay leaves and fresh thyme, all enveloped in a robust stock. It’s a soup that warms you from the inside out, offering both substance and comfort without being overly heavy. You'll find it strikes that perfect balance between rich flavor and wholesome ingredients.
Customization is easy for this versatile soup. You can effortlessly swap cooked turkey for rotisserie chicken, or even vice-versa, depending on what you have on hand. If fresh thyme isn't available, the recipe specifically calls for 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme, making it pantry-friendly. Feel free to adjust the amount of couscous to your liking for a thicker or thinner consistency. For a heartier meal, you could even add a handful of spinach or kale towards the end.
This Leftover Turkey Soup is ideal for a cozy family dinner or a comforting lunch. Serve it piping hot with a side of crusty bread for dipping, or a simple green salad to complete the meal. It’s a wonderfully restorative dish, perfect for those chilly evenings when you crave something truly nourishing.