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Turkey Dinner One Pot
4.6 from 30 votes

Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •3/5/23 20 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for leftover turkey noodle soup.

Comforting Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup made completely from scratch! Homemade turkey broth from the leftover turkey carcass, loaded with turkey meat and slurp-able noodles. This soup is perfect use of that leftover holiday turkey!

overhead shot of turkey noodle soup in a dutch oven with a ladle in it.
Table of Contents Open
  • The Best Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
  • Ingredient Notes
    • Broth
    • Soup
  • How To Make Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Can I Make This Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup In The Instant Pot?
    • Can I Make This Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup In The Slow Cooker?
    • What Else Can I Add To The Soup?
    • Can I Make This In Advance?
  • Tips
  • Leftovers
    • Freezing/Make Ahead
  • More Delicious Recipes To Try
  • Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

The Best Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup

It’s soup season and I love it! Now that Thanksgiving is over, I bet you have lots of leftover turkey! And I, like many of you, roasted a turkey; a big turkey, even though there were only two of us. So now I’m stuck with a ton of turkey meat, but what to do with the leftovers? I have the perfect solution, ahem, I mean recipe. Reminiscent of the classic, I created a completely homemade, leftover turkey noodle soup!

  • Perfect Use For Leftover Holiday Turkey
  • Easy To Make
  • Comforting Soup
  • Simple Ingredient List
  • Tasty And Delicious

You need this recipe in your life, especially if it’s cold outside. What I love about this soup, is that it’s simple. You can add as much turkey as you want and it can be dark and/or white meat. Easy, flavorful and comforting, it’s the ideal way transform leftovers from blah to wow.

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of all ingredients needed to make turkey noodle soup.

Broth

  • Veggies – We want to use carrots, celery, and onion to develop the base of our soup. Note that in the image above the onion is chopped, but you don’t need to chop it. Just add it whole (peeled) to the soup.
  • Turkey – We’re making soup right from the carcass, we’re not wasting anything today! This will give tons of amazing flavor and flu fighting power to our soup.
  • Seasoning – Salt and pepper – be sparing with this ingredient in the early broth stage.
  • Water – A lot of this will simmer off and reduce, leaving us with beautiful broth. You can use no salt added broth instead of water for extra flavor, but really don’t waste your broth, there will be lots of flavor from the turkey carcass.

Soup

  • Turkey – Any leftover turkey meat you have, white or dark meat.
  • Noodles – Egg noodles, whatever your favorite brand happens to be! Keep in mind they cook way quicker than regular pasta. You can also choose to use your favorite type of noodle.
  • Bouillon – I love to add a chicken bouillon cube or vegeta which is actually my favorite in these types of soups. Vegeta adds lots of great flavor and it has no MSG.
  • Parsley – Fresh parsley all chopped up.

How To Make Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup

detailed process shots showing how to make leftover turkey noodle soup.
  1. Make the broth: In a large soup pot, add turkey carcass, water, onion, celery sticks and carrots. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 1.5 hours, covered over medium-low heat. Remove the carcass and everything else from the soup using tongs or a slotted spoon, set the carrots aside. All there should be left in the pot should be the broth.
  2. Make the soup: Add turkey meat and noodles to the pot. You might need to add a couple more cups of water as some of it may have evaporated. Chop the cooked carrots into half moons and add back to the pot. Season with salt and pepper and add the bouillon cube or vegeta. Cook for another 8 minutes until noodles are cooked.
  3. Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve.
overhead shot of leftover turkey noodle soup in a white bowl with a spoon inside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make This Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup In The Instant Pot?

If you’d like to make this recipe in your pressure cooker you’re in luck because it’s super simple. Just combine the water, turkey carcass, carrots, celery and onion and cook on the manual high setting for 30 minutes. Remove the carcass and everything else from the soup using tongs or a slotted spoon, set the carrots aside. Chop the carrots into half moons. Add the egg noodles, turkey, chopped carrots, bouillon and allow to cook on Saute setting for 8 minutes or until noodles are cooked. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Can I Make This Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup In The Slow Cooker?

Absolutely! You’ll want to combine the water, turkey carcass, carrots, celery and onion in the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7 – 8 hours or HIGH for 3 – 4. Remove the carcass and everything else from the soup using tongs or a slotted spoon, set the carrots aside. Chop the carrots into half moons. Add the egg noodles, turkey, bouillon and chopped carrots and allow to cook for a further 15 minutes or until they are tender. Garnish with parsley and serve.

What Else Can I Add To The Soup?

Feel free to add any spices, herbs or veggies you see fit! Experiment with different flavor combinations and have fun with it.

Can I Make This In Advance?

Absolutely! You can make this soup in advance and freeze it for future meals. Just make sure if you’re planning on making it ahead of time to leave the noodles out. See u0022Freezing/Make Aheadu0022 for full instructions!

overhead shot of turkey noodle soup in a dutch oven with a ladle in it.

Tips

  1. You get an amazing turkey flavor to this soup from making your own broth from a turkey carcass, but if you want you can of course use store bought chicken broth or turkey broth.
  2. This soup is such a great base for some awesome flavors! You can add fresh dill at the end, or add diced parsnips to your broth for some complexity. Dried rosemary also makes a great savory addition.
  3. I love to keep extra broth on hand for when sniffles season rears its ugly head. I portion it out into reasonable sizes and freeze them for future use. You can incorporate it into any dish that requires broth or stock!
  4. This recipe will work for leftover chicken as well.

Leftovers

Let soup cool and transfer to an airtight container. Leftover turkey noodle soup will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing/Make Ahead

If you’d like to prepare this recipe ahead and freeze it, you’ll want to assemble everything like normal, but hold off on the noodles. Sadly thawed noodles don’t retain their texture very well. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for  4 – 6 months.

When you’re ready to thaw out the soup, heat it up on the stove and incorporate the noodles then.

closeup of leftover turkey noodle soup in a white bowl with a spoon inside.

More Delicious Recipes To Try

  • Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
  • Creamy Loaded Potato Soup
  • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
  • Easy Hamburger Soup
  • Leftover Turkey with Pistachio Pesto and Arugula Sandwich
  • Turkey Salad
  • Turkey Rice Casserole
  • Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

overhead shot of leftover turkey noodle soup in a white bowl with a spoon inside.
Print
4.64 from 30 votes

Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 1 hour 45 minutes
Total 2 hours
Rate Recipe
Comforting Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup made completely from scratch! Homemade turkey broth from the leftover turkey carcass, loaded with turkey meat and slurp-able noodles. This soup is perfect use of that leftover holiday turkey!
8

Ingredients

For the Broth

  • 1 turkey carcass (leftover from a carved turkey, all meat removed)
  • 14 cups water
  • 1 large onion (peeled)
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 3 medium carrots (peeled )
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

For the Soup

  • 2 to 3 cups turkey meat (chopped, white or dark)
  • 8 ounce egg noodles (dry )
  • 1 bouillon cube (or 1-2 tbsp Vegeta)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped for garnish)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Make the broth: In a large soup pot, add turkey carcass, water, onion, celery sticks and carrots. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 1.5 hours, covered over medium-low heat. Remove the carcass and everything else from the soup using tongs or a slotted spoon, set the carrots aside. All there should be left in the pot should be the broth.
  • Make the soup: Add turkey meat and noodles to the pot. You might need to add a couple more cups of water as some of it may have evaporated. Chop the cooked carrots into half moons and add back to the pot. Season with salt and pepper and add the bouillon cube or vegeta. Cook for another 8 minutes until noodles are cooked.
  • Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve.

Equipment

  • 6 Quart Dutch Oven

Notes

  1. This recipe will work for leftover chicken as well.
  2. You get an amazing turkey flavor to this soup from making your own broth from a turkey carcass, but if you want you can of course use store bought chicken broth or turkey broth.
  3. This soup is such a great base for some awesome flavors! You can add fresh dill at the end, or add diced parsnips to your broth for some complexity. Dried rosemary also makes a great savory addition.
  4. Let soup cool and transfer to an airtight container. Leftover turkey noodle soup will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  5. If you’d like to prepare this recipe ahead and freeze it, you’ll want to assemble everything like normal, but hold off on the noodles. Sadly thawed noodles don’t retain their texture very well. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for  4 – 6 months.
  6. When you’re ready to thaw out the soup, heat it up on the stove and incorporate the noodles then.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 295kcal (15%)Carbohydrates: 25g (8%)Protein: 26g (52%)Fat: 10g (15%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Cholesterol: 92mg (31%)Sodium: 466mg (20%)Potassium: 432mg (12%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 3942IU (79%)Vitamin C: 4mg (5%)Calcium: 51mg (5%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

overhead shot of leftover turkey noodle soup in a white bowl with a spoon inside.

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Originally shared Nov 2015.

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Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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20 Comments
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Kay R.
Kay R.
Posted: 2 years ago

4 stars
Excellent! So rich and flavorful. Used Ditalini since I didn’t have noodles. Only drawback, carrots too soft since they had been simmering for 1-1/2 hrs.

0
Reply
Suzanna
Suzanna
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
I’m so with you on the Vegeta. I’ve used it to replace salt in many if the meals I make. I find that it add tons of extra flavour so you use less of it, and subsequently less sodium. By the way, I make my soup exactly as you write it. So, although I can’t comment on Jo’s recipe, I can to mine, which is the same 🙂 and is wonderful. One difference, I also cut up the celery and add it back. I love celery cooked soft and soggy.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Suzanna
Posted: 2 years ago

I usually do the same with the celery, but I’m not a huge fan, so sometimes I skip it. 🙂

0
Reply
Peggy Ragnoli
Peggy Ragnoli
Posted: 2 years ago

Do you cook the carcass for 15 hours or was that a typo?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Peggy Ragnoli
Posted: 2 years ago

That says 1.5 hours not 15. There’s a period in between.

0
Reply
Nancy
Nancy
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
Wow! Talk about a delicious recipe. I made this and couldn’t stop eating it…just so much flavour in the broth, it will definitely be my new go-to chicken noodle soup!!,

0
Reply
Claudia Simons
Claudia Simons
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
This was such a great way to use our leftover turkey ( and carrots and celery from a veggie tray). I made it in the slow cooker, which was perfect for extracting flavor from the carcass. I love so many of your recipes!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Claudia Simons
Posted: 3 years ago

Thank you!!

0
Reply
Audrey Niehaus
Audrey Niehaus
Posted: 3 years ago

You get way more flavor if you roast the bones first, till they are dark brown. Then make the broth with the roasted bones

1
Reply
Theresa Clark
Theresa Clark
Posted: 4 years ago

Can I add better than beef boullion instead of chicken cubes

0
Reply
Nicole Beaulieu
Nicole Beaulieu
Reply to  Theresa Clark
Posted: 4 years ago

Yes for sure

0
Reply
C.S.
C.S.
Posted: 4 years ago

If I used chicken broth instead of homemade broth, how much should I use?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  C.S.
Posted: 4 years ago

I would go with about 10 to 12 cups.

0
Reply
Phyllis S
Phyllis S
Posted: 7 years ago

5 stars
Have recently made several of your recipes and they
are all winners with my family. Thank you!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Phyllis S
Posted: 7 years ago

I’m glad you like them. 🙂

0
Reply
Thalia @ butter and brioche
Thalia @ butter and brioche
Posted: 8 years ago

5 stars
I don’t have any leftover turkey but I definitely will be going out to buy some so I can make this delicious noodle soup – it is all I am craving right now!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Thalia @ butter and brioche
Posted: 8 years ago

LOL I hope you try it, if you make some for Christmas it will be a perfect use of the leftover turkey. 🙂

0
Reply
Annette
Annette
Reply to  Joanna Cismaru
Posted: 8 years ago

Could you use ham instead of turkey?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Annette
Posted: 8 years ago

Hi Annette,
So glad you stopped by. You certainly could or you can try this recipe for leftover ham soup.

0
Reply
Diane McBride
Diane McBride
Posted: 8 years ago

4 stars
Can’t wait to make it.

0
Reply

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I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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