The Best Creamy Turkey Soup Recipe For Cozy Winter Nights

Cold winter nights call for a comforting bowl of creamy turkey soup that warms you from the inside out.

Leftover turkey finds new life in this delightful recipe, turning simple ingredients into a rich, velvety meal.

Tender chunks of turkey mingle with soft vegetables and a silky broth that promises pure comfort.

Each spoonful carries the essence of home-cooked goodness and memories of hearty gatherings.

creamy and satisfying, this soup transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

The recipe breathes new energy into leftover turkey, creating a soul-warming dish that everyone will love.

Grab your favorite soup pot and get ready to savor every delicious bite of this amazing comfort food.

Creamy Turkey Soup—What Makes It Cozy

• Warm, creamy soup that hugs your soul with rich flavors and hearty ingredients perfect for satisfying hunger.
• Simple step-by-step process allows even novice cooks to create a delicious meal without complicated techniques or exotic ingredients.
• Transforms leftover turkey into a delectable, protein-packed soup that feels like an entirely new culinary experience.
• Flexible recipe welcomes personal tweaks like adding different vegetables or swapping protein, making it adaptable to family preferences and pantry contents.

Ingredients for Creamy Turkey Soup

• Turkey: Tender, cooked meat that adds protein and rich flavor to the soup.
• Noodles: Soft pasta that provides hearty texture and substance to the dish.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base vegetables that create a deep, aromatic foundation.
• Garlic: Adds a robust and pungent flavor to enhance the overall taste.

• Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid base for the soup.
• Half & Half: Contributes to the creamy and smooth consistency of the soup.
• Butter: Helps sauté vegetables and adds richness.
• Flour: Serves as a thickening agent to create a smooth, velvety texture.

• Poultry Seasoning: Brings a traditional herb blend to complement the turkey.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance the soup's flavor.

Kitchen Tools for Turkey Soup

• Stock Pot: Large, heavy-bottomed pot for cooking soup and sautéing vegetables.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients and scraping pan bottom.
• Cutting Board: Solid surface for chopping vegetables safely.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precisely dicing onions, carrots, and celery.
• Measuring Cups: Essential for accurate broth and half & half measurements.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise tool for adding flour and poultry seasoning.
• Ladle: Helpful for serving soup into bowls.

Creamy Turkey Soup Step-by-Step

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatic Vegetables

Heat butter in a large stock pot over medium flame.

Toss in chopped onions, diced carrots, and sliced celery.

Sauté these veggies until their edges turn golden brown and start to caramelize.

Drop in minced garlic and cook just until its fragrance fills the kitchen.

Step 2: Create Flavor Foundation

Sprinkle flour and poultry seasoning over the softened vegetables.

Stir thoroughly to coat every piece, transforming the mixture into a silky paste.

Let this roux cook briefly to eliminate raw flour taste and develop deeper flavor.

Step 3: Build Liquid Layers

Pour in rich chicken broth and creamy half & half.

Add tender egg noodles to the pot.

Gently stir and scrape the bottom to release any delicious browned bits.

Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Perfectly Cook Pasta

Cover the pot and reduce heat to low.

Allow noodles to cook until they reach perfect al dente texture, following package guidelines for optimal tenderness.

Step 5: Final Touch and Serve

Fold in shredded cooked turkey, blending it seamlessly into the creamy soup.

Remove from heat and let sit briefly to allow sauce to thicken naturally.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance all the delicious flavors.

Tips for Creamy Turkey Soup

• Gently brown vegetables to develop rich, caramelized flavors without burning, ensuring a deep, delicious base for your soup.
• Stir flour mixture constantly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, thickening foundation that adds luxurious texture.
• Choose egg noodles or short pasta that won't overcook, maintaining a pleasant al dente texture throughout the soup.
• Simmer soup on low heat to prevent separation of dairy and keep turkey tender without becoming tough or dry.
• Store soup in airtight container and reheat gently, adding a splash of broth to restore creamy consistency if needed.

Switch It Up: Creamy Turkey Soup

• Vegetarian Comfort Soup: Replace turkey with firm tofu or chickpeas, use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock, and add mushrooms for extra umami flavor.
• Gluten-Free Creamy Option: Swap wheat flour with cornstarch or rice flour for roux, use gluten-free pasta, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute half & half with coconut milk or unsweetened almond cream, use olive oil instead of butter, and choose dairy-free protein alternatives.
• Low-Carb Version: Replace traditional noodles with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice, use heavy cream for thickening, and increase vegetable content for volume.

Ways to Serve Creamy Turkey Soup

• Hearty Family Feast: Serve this creamy turkey soup as a complete meal with warm crusty bread for dipping and soaking up the rich broth.
• Cozy Comfort Plate: Pair the soup with a small side salad of mixed greens and a light vinaigrette to balance the creamy texture and add freshness.
• Protein Power-Up: Top each bowl with crispy bacon bits, shredded cheese, or chopped green onions for extra flavor and a protein boost that makes the soup more filling.
• Winter Wellness Bowl: Enjoy this soup as a comforting lunch or dinner option during cold months, perfect for warming up and providing nutritious, satisfying nourishment.

Keeping Creamy Turkey Soup Fresh

• Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Cool soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth. Refrigerated soup stays fresh for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label containers with date and contents.
• Move frozen soup to refrigerator overnight for gradual thawing. Never thaw at room temperature to avoid potential bacterial contamination.
• Warm soup in saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of broth or water if soup seems too thick. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Avoid boiling to prevent separating cream and overcooking noodles.

FAQs

• Can I use other types of meat instead of turkey?

Yes, you can easily substitute chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or leftover roasted chicken for the turkey in this soup recipe.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

No, the recipe contains flour for the roux and traditional noodles. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and gluten-free pasta alternatives.

• How can I make the soup healthier?

Use low-fat half & half, add extra vegetables like spinach or kale, and choose whole wheat noodles for added nutrition.

• What if I don't have poultry seasoning?

You can create a substitute by mixing dried thyme, sage, rosemary, and marjoram, or use a blend of dried herbs that complement poultry dishes.

Creamy Turkey Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Rich and comforting creamy turkey soup brings warmth to chilly evenings with its hearty blend of tender meat and seasonal vegetables. Wholesome ingredients and simple preparation make this soup a delightful meal you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) cooked turkey, cubed

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 celery ribs, sliced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Base and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) half & half
• 6 ounces (170 grams) egg noodles

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Instructions

1. In a stock pot, melt butter over medium heat and sauté onions, carrots, and celery until edges caramelize, approximately 3-4 minutes. Incorporate garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
2. Sprinkle flour and poultry seasoning over vegetables, thoroughly coating and transforming mixture into a cohesive paste. Toast for 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
3. Pour broth and half & half into the pot, gently introducing noodles. Carefully scrape pot bottom to release any flavorful browned bits. Bring liquid to a gentle simmer.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and allow noodles to cook until reaching al dente texture, following package recommended cooking time.
5. Gently fold shredded turkey into the creamy soup. Remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes to allow sauce to thicken naturally. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to personal preference.

Notes

• Swap vegetables to create seasonal variations, using winter squash or summer zucchini depending on availability and preference.
• Control soup thickness by adjusting flour quantity or adding extra broth if wanting a lighter consistency.
• Choose gluten-free noodles and swap wheat flour with cornstarch to make recipe celiac-friendly and allergen-sensitive.
• Store leftover soup in airtight container for 3-4 days, reheating gently to prevent noodles from becoming mushy.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 70mg