Chunks of turkey, carrots, celery, and thick egg noodles come together in this Creamy Turkey Soup to create a perfect after-Thanksgiving meal.
My family looks forward to this soup every bit as much as we look forward to the big turkey with all the sides.
My middle son loves this turkey soup so much that we have labeled it HIS soup and he would happily just drink the broth if I let him.
He calls this “broth soup” because he thinks the turkey broth is “awesomely delicious.”
Creamy Turkey Soup
Hearty, comforting, and creamy, turkey soup is a favorite way to use Thanksgiving leftovers. After all the excitement of the holiday meals, the family gatherings and the clean up, it’s lovely to sit back and enjoy a warming bowl of Turkey soup.
I’ve tasted some lackluster soups made with turkey leftovers. This is nothing like some of those watery flavorless soups made by tossing leftover turkey chunks into store-bought broth.
The Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup I’m sharing today is full of flavor from the homemade turkey broth, thickened with flour and butter, plus perfectly cooked tender egg noodles. Noodle soup lovers will love this recipe.
We like turkey soup too much to just eat it only when we have holiday leftovers. I buy several turkeys when they go on sale each year, so that I can make this soup through the year.
Creamy Turkey Soup freezes well and I keep servings of it in the freezer exclusively for my son. That way, on nights when they rest of the family is enjoying spicier soups; he has this option instead.
On the occasion when we don’t have turkey in the house to make this soup, it works nicely with chicken as well.
If you’re looking for more tasty turkey soup recipes, give this Spicy Southwest Turkey and Four Bean Soup and this Creamy Turkey Green Chile Soup a try too.
Turkey Recipes
Turkey is so much more than just the centerpiece for a Thanksgiving dinner. This Roast Turkey with Wine and Herbs makes for an impressive and delicious dinner any time of year.
We love our turkey but I have to admit that one of my favorite things about making a big roast turkey dinner is the leftovers. Creamy Turkey Soup is a highlight but there are so many delicious turkey recipes for using that leftover bird.
I love leftover this Southwest Turkey Chopped Salad and this Turkey and Walnut Salad with Cranberry Dressing enough to eat them by the bucket full.
Turkey Cranberry Quesadillas wrap the best of Thanksgiving flavor into a hand-held meal and Turkey Pho keeps those turkey leftovers from every being boring.
Leftover Turkey Taquitos are a kid favorite that everyone loves. BBQ Turkey Stuffed Red Potatoes are an unexpected use for leftover turkey that we look forward to every year.
Turkey Soup Recipe
Making turkey soup starts by simmering a leftover turkey carcass to make broth. (This is my youngest son’s favorite part and he would be glad to just slurp the broth straight up.)
You need three quarts of broth to make Turkey Noodle Soup. Any leftover broth I happen to have get stashed in the freezer for future soup recipes.
I add the broth to a pot of vegetables sauteed in butter. A little flour sprinkled over the veggies and butter turns the broth lightly creamy, like a thin gravy. Cooked egg noodles and a helping of real heavy cream add the finishing touches to this turkey noodle soup.
Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup
After adding the cream, you just stir everything together and let it all get warm for a few minutes. Then, it’s ready to be poured into bowls and hit the dinner table.
In my opinion, Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup is just the right middle ground between the ultra-thick cream soups like Baked Potato Soup or Creamy Cauliflower Potato Soup and brothier soups like Chicken Tortilla.
Every spoonful of this soup is full of rich egg noodles, creamy flavorful broth, and chunks of carrot and celery. It’s a meal all on its own but would also be delicious with a side of crusty bread or oyster crackers.
You can freeze this soup easily. Simply reheat in the microwave or let thaw in the refrigerator to reheat on the stove top. I love making a big batch of this soup to keep in the freezer all winter long.
Nothing is better on a chilly January night than a hot steaming bowl of Turkey soup!
Kitchen Tip: I use this pot (as pictured) to make this recipe.
{originally published 11/20/2011 – recipe notes and photos updated 11/15/21}
