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Turkey Noodle Soup

Have leftover turkey? We’ve got just the use! Warm up with a bowl of this flavorful, easy turkey soup.

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a pot of homemade turkey soup being stirred with a wooden spoon made with carrots, celery, onions and noodles
Photography by Gayle McLeod

The Best Turkey Soup Recipe

Nothing, and we mean nothing, is more comforting on a chilly day than a warm bowl of homemade soup. This easy turkey soup recipe starts off with cooking a mirepoix of veggies in butter and olive oil to bring out all their yummy flavor. We simply add in the broth, followed by the turkey and noodles, cook for about 10 minutes, and in no time, you’ll have a delicious, old fashion turkey soup recipe. The house will smell amazing, dinner (or lunch!) will be ready and that will leave you more time to hang with the family. And, don’t worry, we’ve got raving reviews from our kids so this homemade turkey noodle soup is 100% this kid-approved.

butter, onion, celery, carrots, garlic chicken stock, bay leaves, turkey, noodles, parsley, salt and pepper in bowls

How Healthy is Turkey Broth?

When cold season comes around, a hot bowl of turkey noodle soup is here to save the day! The reason behind it? Broth! And, the verdict is out over the longtime debate: is chicken stock or broth better to be used for turkey soup? Turkey broth is nutrient-dense, containing different types of vitamins, minerals, and collagen. The same goes for chicken broth. Both are great options to use for soup, neither being significantly better for you than the other. When it comes to flavor, turkey has a more savory, earthy, cleaner, and less fatty flavor making it ideal for a simple, budget-friendly turkey soup recipe. Overall, turkey broth is very healthy for you!

onion, celery, carrots and garlic being cooked in butter in a soup pot for turkey soup
chicken broth being poured into a pot with carrots, onion, celery, garlic and butter for turkey soup

Which is Better Turkey Stock or Turkey Broth

Stock and broth, sometimes interchangeably used, are actually different! Let’s break it down. Stocks are often more condensed, thicker, and have a higher protein content. They’re sometimes even associated with being healthier and more flavorful since they’re made primarily from chicken, turkey, or beef bones. They work great for a burst of flavor. On the other hand, broths are usually made from meat and veggies and simmered for less time. This means less concentrated flavor and makes for a great base! In our turkey noodle soup recipe, we call for turkey stock for a stronger flavor profile, since a large part of the soup is warm, savory stock. There are also differences in sodium for both, so keep this in mind when adding to recipes. Overall, one is not better than the other, they’re just used in different ways! We encourage you to explore both turkey stock and turkey broth!

vegetables, turkey, noodles, stock and parsley in a soup pot for turkey soup
a pot of homemade turkey soup being stirred with a wooden spoon made with turkey, noodles, vegetables and spices

What to Serve with Homemade Turkey Soup

A ladle a day keeps the doctor away! A cup of turkey soup is the perfect light lunch. Perhaps pair it with a side of Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Orange Vinaigrette or a timeless Classic Wedge Salad. Looking for a heartier lunch? Have it on the side of our favorite Reuben Sandwich, Green Goddess Grilled Cheese, or a BLT with Homemade Mayo. When dinner time rolls around, we’ll want to bulk it up with a crusty loaf of Sourdough Bread, or an Herbed Feta Flatbread with Whipped Feta. Our little ones love to eat it with the Perfect Grilled Cheese or Bacon Cheddar Biscuits. Want to make it fancy? This recipe for turkey noodle soup can be served as a starter in this elevated menu of Caesar Salad, Chicken Parmesan, and for dessert, Apple Pie. Whichever way you choose to enjoy it, we guarantee it’ll be a crowd-pleaser.

a bowl of homemade turkey soup made with onion, celery, carrots, garlic, turkey, noodles, parsley and spices

What is Turkey Soup Made of?

In less than one hour, you’ll have a complete meal! Savory broth, bright herbs, pieces of tender turkey, and yummy egg noodles make for the ideal bowl in this recipe for turkey noodle soup:

  • Extra virgin olive oil or butter

  • Yellow onion

  • Celery

  • Carrots

  • Minced garlic

  • Turkey stock or chicken stock

  • Bay leaves

  • Shredded turkey

  • Egg noodles or your favorite dried noodles

  • Fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • Sea salt

  • Fresh cracked black pepper

a bowl of homemade turkey soup made with onion, celery, carrots, garlic, turkey, noodles, parsley and spices

How to Make Turkey Soup

We spend all day in the kitchen on Thanksgiving, so you shouldn’t have to do the day after as well! A simple, throw together meal that tastes like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen is here and mine as well be called leftover turkey soup.

  1. Cook the veggies until fragrant! Using olive oil or butter (or a little of both!), add in your mix of veggies and cook until slightly softened. This step will make your kitchen smell amazing!

  2. Add the stock and herbs! Slowly add in the stock and aromatics such as bay leaves. Pro Tip: Freel free to make it your own by throwing in a small handful of whatever leftover herbs you may have, like thyme! For an extra brothy soup, add an extra cup or two of stock.

  3. Simmer until the veggies are tender. Then, add in your noodles, turkey, bright leaves of parsley, and salt and pepper.

  4. Marry those flavors! Cook until the noodles expand and are slightly al dente. They’ll continue to soak up liquid as they sit.

a bowl of homemade turkey soup made with onion, celery, carrots, garlic, turkey, noodles, parsley and spices

Tools You’ll Need For Homemade Turkey Soup

Our Favorite Ways to Use Leftover Turkey!

As the holiday season starts to roll around, we like to keep things simple! That’s why we always make extra turkey to use in a pinch! Besides our recipe for turkey noodle soup, some of our favorites include:

We’re Here For All The Effortless Meals!

We love home cooking, and even more when it’s only a few simple steps. Let us know what you thought about this easy homemade turkey soup! Maybe show us a photo by tagging us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Bon Appétit!

Turkey Noodle Soup

  • Serves: 6
  • Prep Time:  15 min
  • Cook Time:  30 min
  • Calories: 309

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped about ¾ cup
  • 2 ribs of celery, ½ -inch chopped ribs of celery, ½ -inch chopped
  • 1-2 large carrots, peeled, ¼-inch sliced about 1 ½-cups
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups turkey stock or chicken stock (see Note)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2-3 cups cooked shredded turkey
  • 8 ounces egg noodles or your favorite dried noodles
  • 1 tablespoon minced, flat leaf parsley
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Method

  1. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. When the oil is glistening, add the onion, celery and carrots, cook stirring often until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute longer.

  2. Add the turkey or chicken stock and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook until the vegetables are nearly tender, about 10 minutes longer.

  3. Add the turkey, noodles, parsley, salt and pepper. Bring to a heavy simmer and cover with a lid. Maintain a low boil, stirring often until the noodles are tender and the turkey is warmed through, about 10 minutes longer.

  4. Serve topped with freshly cracked pepper.


Note: If you like a soup with a lot of liquid, add an extra 1-2 cups of broth. Depending on the noodles you use, they will absorb different amounts of water and as time passes the noodles will continue to absorb broth if you plan to have leftovers.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories309
  • Protein23 g
  • Carbohydrates38 g
  • Total Fat8 g
  • Dietary Fiber3 g
  • Cholesterol32 mg
  • sodium706 mg
  • Total Sugars7 g

Turkey Noodle Soup

Questions & Reviews

Join the discussion below.

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  • Juses Jones

    Hello!!
    Would I be able to make this recipe without onions?

    Sure!

  • Jenn

    Yum! My Family LOVED this!

    SO happy to hear it!