Homemade Leftover Turkey Vegetable Soup

Turn those leftovers into a wholesome heart soup!

In this easy soup recipe, leftover turkey and mixed vegetables are cooked in a seasoned broth with tender pasta for cozy goodness in every spoonful!

close up of Turkey Vegetable Soup in a bowl

It’s one of my favorite ways to use leftover turkey from the holiday feast.
Cooked in a single pot, turkey vegetable soup is easy to make
It’s made in just one pot, so cleanup is a cinch.
Keep the pasta on the side and this recipe will freeze and reheat well.
It’s so cozy to enjoy on a cold day. Serve with a side of crusty bread for the perfect meal!

oil , broth , turkey , pasta , onion , tomatoes , flour , vegetables , celery , butter , garlic , and seasonings with labels to make Turkey Vegetable Soup

Ingredient Tips and Swaps For Turkey Vegetable Soup

Turkey: Use cooked turkey in this recipe. I chop leftover Thanksgiving turkey and freeze it in small 2 to 3 cup portions for recipes.
- Turkey Swap: Use cooked or rotisserie chicken or brown 1 pound of ground turkey.
Vegetables: Onion and celery flavor the broth in this soup while mixed vegetables add color and variety.
- Use leftovers: Replace the frozen mixed vegetables with leftover cooked or roasted vegetables, from carrots or green beans to sweet potatoes. Add cooked vegetables during the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
Pasta: Use any shape; we prefer small to medium shapes. Try elbow or shell macaroni noodles, Gemelli, or rotini.
Broth: This rich, tomato-ey broth is flavorful and easy to make. Use my DIY Italian herb mix. If you’ve got a carcass (and a little bit of time), this recipe is great with homemade broth.

Variations

Budget stretcher: Stretch the soup further by adding two cups of extra broth and 1 can of drained and rinsed beans. Try kidney beans, cannellini beans, or garbanzo beans.
Swap the spices: Swap the Italian seasoning for homemade taco seasoning and add Rotel tomatoes instead of diced tomatoes for a little spicy kick.

adding flour and seasonings to celery and onions mix to make Turkey Vegetable Soup

adding tomatoes and turkey to pot to make Turkey Vegetable Soup

How to Make Turkey Vegetable Soup

Pro tip: One of my favorite tips for broth-based soups is to add a touch of flour. Flour thickens the broth ever so slightly for a more silky texture.

Soften onion, celery, and garlic in a Dutch oven. Stir in flour and seasoning.
Add broth, tomatoes, and turkey and bring to a boil.
Simmer uncovered, and then add mixed vegetables and pasta.

Cook until the pasta is tender, and season before serving.

The pasta will absorb broth if leftovers are stored. If you’re planning for leftovers, cook the pasta separately and add a spoonful to each serving bowl.

Storing Leftover Soup

Keep turkey vegetable soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat it on the stove.
To freeze the soup, transfer it to zippered bags and freeze for up to 4 months. Reheat over medium heat, adding freshly cooked noodles, pasta, or rice before serving.

If you’ve cooked the pasta in the soup and want to store or freeze leftovers, strain the broth into a separate container. Storing or freezing the “goodies” and the broth separately ensures the pasta doesn’t become mushy by soaking up the broth.

Love Your Leftover Turkey!

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Turkey Vegetable Soup

Give holiday turkey a second life with this easy and economical turkey vegetable soup with pasta.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

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In a Dutch oven or large pot, cook onion, celery, and garlic in olive oil and butter over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until softened.
Stir in flour and Italian seasoning. Cook 2 minutes.
Add broth, tomatoes, and turkey. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes.
Stir in mixed vegetables and pasta*. Cook 10-15 minutes or until pasta is tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pasta: If you plan to have leftovers, cook the pasta on the side and add to each bowl before serving. Store the pasta separately.
If you’ve cooked the pasta in the soup and want to store or freeze leftovers, strain the broth into a separate container. Storing or freezing the “goodies” and the broth separately ensures the pasta doesn’t become mushy by soaking up the broth.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dinner, Entree, Lunch, Main Course, Soup, Turkey

Cuisine American

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