This Turkey Noodle Soup takes all the delicious flavors of fall and turns them into a warm comforting soup. The perfect use for your leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
I am such an avid soup lover. I have so many soups on my blog because I think that they are such a great and simple way to feed my family all the major food groups for dinner.
This Turkey Noodle Soup recipe is no exception. Cousin to homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, it is a simpler version because we are using leftover turkey and don’t have to think about cooking it! I am in love with how simple this soup is. Perfect for the end of a busy holiday week.
I made this soup with our left over Turkey. It was really easy to make and taste great. Thank you for this recipe. Definitely making again.
How to Make Turkey Noodle Soup
Here is a brief overview of how this recipe for turkey noodle soup comes together. For the full recipe including all measurements and cooking times, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Sauté the vegetables. Melt butter in a large pot then add the garlic, onion, celery, carrots, and seasonings. Cook until the veggies are tender and the onion translucent, about five minutes.
- Add the broth. Add the turkey broth (or chicken stock) and bay leaves and bring to a roaring boil.
- Cook the noodles. Add the uncooked pasta and cook for two minutes less than what the package says.
- Add the turkey and corn. When the noodles are done, stir in the turkey meat and the frozen corn (or leftover Thanksgiving corn). Allow to heat through for two minutes. Serve and enjoy!
How to Make Turkey Broth
Another way to use your leftover turkey remnants is to make turkey broth! This recipe is the perfect thing to replace chicken stock in all of your favorite soups. Skip the addeded salt and preservatives in store-bought broth and make your own! It is easy and can last for up to six months in the freezer.
Turkey Broth
Homemade Egg Noodles
Egg noodles are the perfect pasta to use in this turkey noddle soup as well as my well loved chicken noodle soup. Whip up a batch of these homemade egg noodles to take your soup to the next level!
Homemade Egg Noodles
A Note on Seasoning
As I noted above, I seasoned this soup recipe with sage and thyme. I think they are the perfect herbs to go with turkey. That being said, you could also just use basil and oregano. It would be delicious!
I recommend not using all the salt called for in the recipe. The salt in turkey varies so greatly, you are best off tasting the soup at the end and seasoning from there.
Freezing Leftover Turkey
If you think this recipe looks delicious, but just can’t take any more turkey at the moment, then freeze the turkey! I have a whole detailed post on how to properly freeze and store leftover turkey that will come in handy.
You can put the frozen turkey right in the soup at the end with the frozen corn! It will take about an extra minute to heat it through, but you can skip defrosting or thawing.
Freezing Leftover Turkey
Other Great Recipes For Leftover Turkey
If you’re looking for other ways to use up leftover turkey meat or make a meal with the turkey you’re storing in your freezer, here are a few delicious ideas!
Turkey Dumpling Soup
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover turkey soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat in the microwave on half power or on the stovetop over low heat until heated through. Always use your best judgment when reheating and eating leftovers.
Freezing Turkey Noodle Soup
If you want to freeze this soup, only use never before frozen turkey. In other words, you can freeze it right after Thanksgiving with the fresh leftovers. But if you have already frozen the turkey and it is months later, you do not want to freeze this soup. Additionally, if you plan on freezing it, do not add the noodles or the corn. Make it up until adding the noodles. Add the turkey, but skip adding the frozen corn.
Freeze in an airtight container for up to two months. When ready to eat, thaw, bring to a boil, and then add the noodles. Finally, add in the corn.
What To Serve With Turkey Noodle Soup
Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup really can be a dinner on its own. But if you are looking to stretch things and serve your house guests who are still there, here are a few ideas.
- This Arugula Side Salad makes a great side dish to any recipe.
- My Brussel Sprout Salad is full of great fall flavors.
- And I really love eating soup with bread. My Three Ingredient Beer Bread would be great!
If you make this turkey soup or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Turkey Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil to keep this dairy free)
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 3 celery stalks diced
- 2 medium carrots peeled and sliced
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt if using table salt, start with half and see note
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sage rub
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 8 cups turkey broth or chicken stock (1892.7 ml)
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 ounces egg noodles approximately 3.5 cups (170.1 grams)
- 3 cups cooked turkey meat cut into bite sized pieces (510 grams)
- 1 cup frozen corn (135 grams)
Instructions
- In a large stock pot over medium heat, melt the butter.3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Add the garlic, celery, carrots, and onions to the pan. Add salt, pepper, sage, and thyme and saute until the onions are translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.2 garlic cloves, 3 celery stalks, 2 medium carrots, 1 small yellow onion, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons sage rub, 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Pour in the broth, adding in the bay leaves as well, and bring to a roaring boil.8 cups turkey broth, 2 bay leaves
- Add in the egg noodles and cook for 2 minutes shorter than what the package instructions list.6 ounces egg noodles
- When the noodles are done, stir in the turkey meat and the frozen corn. Allow to heat through for two minutes. Serve and enjoy!3 cups cooked turkey meat, 1 cup frozen corn
Notes
Fresnogal says
Yes, I cut the salt down to just 1/2 tsp. No one asked for more salt! I had a small amount less than a cup of gravy leftover from Thanksgiving dinner so add it too! I also added fresh parsley that I had left over too.. This was awesome, very tasty soup.
Fresnogal says
I forgot to add to my previous comment to removed the Bay leaves before serving. I added sp6rinkles of fresh parsley on top of each bowl too.
So happy you guys liked it, and I appreciate the salt comment! Salting soup is so tricky for me as I develop recipes because the salt content of different brands of stock varies so greatly!
Charmaine says
What is sage rub
It’s ground up sage leaves. You can find it in your spice aisle.
Carl Pirro says
Thank you for the recipes Lisa.
Rosemary Raines says
Made this today for my sick daughter! It was easy and smells amazing in my home! I used broth from my turkey drippings. But of course needed more water to break down that rich broth. It taste as amazing as it smells! I will be using this receipt again!
I’m so glad that you liked it, Rosemary! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know.
Stela says
I made this soup with our left over Turkey. It was really easy to make and taste great. Thank you for this recipe. Definitely making again 👍
I’m so glad it was a hit, Stela!
Susan r says
I made this soup it was so good thank you for the recipe
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Kasey says
We loved this recipe. I am not a turkey girl but I loved this. The broth was delicious and it made a lot so I will have leftovers for work all week
I’m so glad that you liked it!
Devin says
I’m about to make this so I haven’t tried it yet but I just wanted to say that you’re the real mvp I love that you said what to do and then have the measurements directly under each step. Love that
I’m so glad you find that helpful!
Liz M says
A very good flavor and ingredients well balanced. Added 1/2 amount of salt. Substituted frozen peas because I didn’t have corn. Came together easily too and no one asked for more salt!
I’m so glad it was a hit!