This holiday season put those leftover turkey bones to use by making a homemade turkey soup! The addition of The Little Potato Company's Creamer Potatoes and leftover Thanksgiving ingredients makes this soup totally festive!
This is a sponsored post. I was fortunate enough to receive products and/or monetary compensation from The Little Potato Company. Though products were received, all opinions are my own and I would not recommend a product that I did not enjoy.
Last month we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving and while I did not make turkey, my Aunt Julia was more than happy to give me the turkey carcass from her dinner!
She used to make this amazing turkey soup for us when we were kids and since then I have always looked into ways of utilizing all the Thanksgiving leftovers. While her soup did not use the actual turkey bones, I knew from past experience with homemade chicken stock that I would have no concerns making my own turkey stock! So, if you have some leftovers this American Thanksgiving, give this homemade turkey soup with creamer potatoes a try!
UPDATE: I have since made my aunt's Tomato Turkey Soup with Wild Rice! I have also shared my Homemade Turkey Stock tutorial!
Making this soup requires specific steps and a few days. However, if you feel like using store-bought broth, that will work, too, and cut the soup making stage down drastically. But let me emphasize just how easy homemade stock is to make. I have made homemade chicken stock in the past, and also in the slow cooker (have yet to post that!) and you literally throw a bunch of ingredients into a stock pot and let it simmer for hours. That's it. I don't even worry about stirring. The stock is done when your desired taste is acquired.
Once the stock is out of the way, this homemade turkey soup is a breeze to make. You can save time by using leftover potatoes from dinner, or do what I did and throw in a bag of Blushing Belle! Any of their varietals would work and had their fingerling potatoes been out at the time I would have thrown those in because they are my favorite! Leftover corn works perfectly here, but frozen or canned works, too! I mean, this homemade turkey soup is all about utilizing Thanksgiving leftovers!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Turkey Soup using Leftover Turkey Carcass
This soup is made with homemade turkey broth, but you can sub in your favorite stock if you do not feel like making your own!
Ingredients
Homemade Turkey Stock OR you can use store-bought broth.
- 1 turkey carcass
- Water
- 2 celery stalks
- 3 large carrots, halved
- 2 large onions, halved
- 2 sprigs of fresh sage
- 6 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 1 head of garlic (no need to peel)
- Salt and pepper
Soup
- 1.5 lb bag of The Little Potato Company's Blushing Belle
- 2 lbs leftover turkey meat (we salvaged a lot off the turkey carcass)
- 12-16 cups homemade turkey broth (or more if desired)
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 celery stocks, diced
- 1 sweet red pepper, diced
- 1 lb carrots, diced
- 1 leek, washed, trim, and diced
- 2 onions, diced
- 1 cup frozen, fresh, or leftover corn
- Salt and pepper
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 sprig sage leaves
Instructions
- If making a homemade broth, combine all stock ingredients into a large stock pot. Add enough water to cover the turkey carcass by about 1 inch. Bring to just a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 4-8 hours, or until broth has reduced significantly and the flavors are bold. DO NOT BOIL as it results in cloudy broth. Strain into a bowl, allow to cool to room temperature, and place into refrigerator overnight.
- Sift through turkey bones to pick off any leftover turkey meat to include in the soup or use leftover turkey from dinner!
- The following day, remove broth from fridge and skim off any excess fat (if it is completely gelatinous, that is a good sign!)
Soup
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the oil. When hot, add celery, carrots, leek, red pepper, garlic, and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until translucent and softened, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the stock, thyme, and sage. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Add in the potatoes and cook for another 15-30 minutes, or until they are tender. In the last few minutes add in the corn and turkey meat. Heat through and serve (making sure to remove the fresh herbs!)
Notes
Ratios can vary! Add more broth for a "soupier" recipe, or keep it chunkier with lots of veggies and potatoes. If NOT using homemade broth, I suggest simmering your soup longer before adding the potatoes for a more concentrated flavor. Cook/prep time does not include broth. I chopped my vegetables in a food processor for convenience!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 914Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 317mgSodium: 30118mgCarbohydrates: 68gFiber: 6gSugar: 45gProtein: 101g
While I have provided instructions on how to make this soup, I feel this meal is completely up to you in terms of ingredients and herbs. Have some leftover carrots, corn, and ham? Add them in! Switch it up, be creative, and remember who you are making it for (because if I was serving this to my dad there would be no onions in it!) This homemade turkey soup encourages you to use up leftovers and get the most for your money 🙂
This is a sponsored post. I was fortunate enough to receive products and/or monetary compensation from The Little Potato Company. Though products were received, all opinions are my own and I would not recommend a product that I did not enjoy.
Love this homemade turkey soup with creamer potatoes?! Try some of these recipes:
Roasted Potato-Vegetable Soup (Vegan Version Included)
Christie
Love that you made your own broth. It is going to be so much richer and more delicious.
Kacey
It really adds a nice touch to the meal 🙂
Beth
So I already had breakfast and now I'm ready for lunch at 7:45am 🙂 I think this soup would be fitting!
Kacey
I am all for leftover soup for breakfast!
Amy Stafford
Now I know what to do with that Turkey when Thanksgiving is over. Thanks for sharing!
Kacey
No problem, Amy!
heather @french press
I love soup the day after a roast turkey or chicken - the best part if you ask me
Kacey
It was the meal my family most looked forward to 🙂
Kaitie
LOVE THIS! It's cold and rainy here today, and this looks like the perfect thing to warm up with for lunch or dinner!
Kacey
With our crazy weather here, Kaitie, I would have to agree with you!
Laura @ Petite Allergy Treats
Now this is perfect comfort food! Annd it's great for leftover turkey for our Thanksgiving in the USA coming up soon!
Kacey
My thoughts exactly 🙂
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah
Loving the turkey broth 😀 Such a perfectly comforting fall soup!
Kacey
Thank you, Chrisy!
Melanie | Melanie Makes
What a comforting bowl of soup - love the looks of those potatoes!
Kacey
I thought they were the perfect addition here!
Susan | LunaCafe
Homemade stock is always the best. What a great way to put Thanksgiving leftovers to delicious use. I'm with you on the appetizers and mains. Best part of the meal. 🙂
Kacey
Thank you, Susan 🙂
Kristyn
This sounds so delicious and comforting! I'll have to give this a try!
Kacey
Please do, Kristyn!
B Robinson
I am a fan of all kinds of soup and I have made Turkey soup, my Mom's recipe, however, I intend to try your recipe, to see if it's as easy and tasty as presented.
Thank you for sharing.
Kacey
I hope so, too! It really is simple 🙂