There’s something truly comforting about a warm bowl of soup that tells the story of a holiday or special meal. This Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe takes those tender turkey pieces and transforms them into a cozy, satisfying dish you’ll want to make again and again.

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’ve made this leftover turkey soup more times than I can count, especially after holiday dinners. There’s a magic in taking what’s left and turning it into something vibrant and fresh again. It’s quick to whip up, uses simple ingredients, and has that just-made-from-scratch flavor.

Simple and Speedy: It comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights.
Hearty and Nourishing: Packed with veggies, potatoes, and lean turkey for a balanced meal.
Flexible and Friendly: You can easily tweak it to your taste or what’s in your fridge.
Comfort Food Classic: It warms you up and fills you with that cozy, home-cooked feeling.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a part in creating that perfect balance of flavors and textures. Plus, they’re all easy to find and come together beautifully for a soup that sings.

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: Adds a smooth, fruity base to sauté the veggies and brings a subtle richness.
Carrots: Sweet and tender, they soften nicely and add color and natural sweetness.
Celery: Brings that classic soup crunch and slight earthiness that complements turkey.
Onion: Provides depth and savory foundation when sautéed just right.
Garlic: Just a hint for warmth and aroma without overpowering the soup.
Kosher salt & black pepper: The essential seasoning duo to bring everything to life.
Yukon gold potatoes: Creamy and buttery, they thicken the soup naturally and add substance.
Fresh thyme: Herbs like thyme introduce a fragrant, woodsy note that brightens turkey flavors.
Bay leaf: Simmered in the broth, it adds subtle herbal complexity.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Keeps the soup light but flavorful, letting the turkey shine.
Shredded turkey meat: The star of the show – tender, protein-packed, and comforting.
Fresh parsley: Stirred in at the end for freshness and a pop of color.

📝

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

I like to think of this leftover turkey soup recipe as a starting canvas. Don’t hesitate to swap in your favorite veggies, add a little heat, or swap herbs to match your mood. Cooking should always feel personal and freeing!

Variation: One time, I tossed in some diced sweet potatoes instead of Yukon golds – it made the soup sweeter and gave it a lovely fall twist, which I totally recommend for cooler evenings.
Dietary tweak: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and skip the potatoes for a lighter, lower-carb option.
Seasonal change: In spring, I like adding fresh peas and chopped spinach to the soup towards the end for a green boost.

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 to Build Flavor

Start by heating the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Toss in the carrots, celery, and onion and stir frequently for about 4-5 minutes until the veggies get a little soft and the onions turn translucent. This step is key — it brings out their natural sweetness and creates a flavorful base, so don’t rush it. Then, add the garlic along with salt and pepper for just a minute until fragrant; be careful not to burn the garlic or it’ll turn bitter.

Step 2: Add Potatoes, Herbs, and Broth

Now toss in the diced Yukon gold potatoes, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a boil before turning down the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes—this gives the potatoes enough time to become tender without turning mushy. This slow simmer lets all the flavors mingle beautifully.

Step 3: Add the Turkey and Warm Through

Finally, stir in the shredded turkey. Since the turkey is already cooked, just let it simmer for another 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through – you want to keep that juicy texture intact. Then remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs (they’ve done their job!).

Step 4: Finish with Fresh Parsley and Serve

Stir in chopped fresh parsley at the very end for a fresh, lightly herbal brightness. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a little extra parsley and a sprinkle of black pepper. Already smelling amazing, right?

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that the success of my leftover turkey soup recipe really comes down to timing and seasoning. Here are a few tips that make all the difference:

Don’t skip the sauté: Cooking the aromatics slowly builds depth in the flavor that boiling alone can’t create.
Watch your potatoes: Yukon gold hold their shape well but check fork tenderness gently to avoid mushiness.
Fresh herbs at the end: Adding parsley right before serving keeps that bright herbal note vibrant.
Adjust salt at the end: Broth and turkey bring some saltiness, so taste before adding more, especially if using a store-bought broth.

How to Serve Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

Leftover Turkey Soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of keeping garnishes simple here—fresh parsley adds color and freshness, and a crack of black pepper gives a mild punch. Sometimes I’ll sprinkle a little shredded Parmesan or even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness when I’m craving a bit of zing.

Side Dishes

Crusty crusts or warm garlic bread are my go-to side for scooping up every last drop. A light mixed green salad or some buttered whole-grain toast pairs perfectly if you want a more balanced meal without being too heavy.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love serving the soup in mini bread bowls. It turns an everyday meal into a cozy, charming presentation that always draws compliments. Another fun idea—add a swirl of sour cream or a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits for extra indulgence.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying dinner, I cool leftover soup quickly and transfer it to airtight containers. In my experience, it stays fresh and flavorful in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just give it a gentle stir when reheating so the flavors meld back together beautifully.

Freezing

This leftover turkey soup recipe freezes wonderfully. I portion it out into freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of room for expansion. When thawed, the texture remains great, and the flavors really deepen—making it an easy, stress-free meal waiting for you.

Reheating

I reheat soup gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. This careful reheating keeps the vegetables and turkey tender without overcooking, and adjusting seasoning just before serving ensures it tastes bright and fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this leftover turkey soup recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! This soup is naturally gluten-free as long as you choose a gluten-free chicken broth. Avoid any broth with added gluten-containing thickeners.

Can I use frozen turkey meat in this soup?

Yes, you can add thawed frozen turkey. Just be sure to warm it through gently at the end so it’s fully heated without drying out.

How can I make this soup vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version, swap the turkey with cooked beans like white beans or chickpeas, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a satisfying alternative.

Can I prepare this soup in a slow cooker?

Definitely! Start by sautéing the vegetables on the stove, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, adding turkey near the end to warm through.

Final Thoughts

This leftover turkey soup recipe has become my favorite way to breathe new life into holiday turkey. There’s an unmatched satisfaction in making something nourishing and delicious from leftovers, and it always feels like a warm hug in a bowl. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do – trust me, your future self will thank you for saving this recipe!