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This easy leftover turkey rice soup transforms turkey leftovers into a creamy, veggie-packed soup that will warm you up from the inside out. Plus, it’s a nice lighter option after days of indulgence, and it only takes 35 minutes from start to finish. The whole family will love it! {Gluten-free}
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Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you always have tons of Thanksgiving leftovers every year. While I love a good holiday meal, I don’t always want to eat the same leftovers for days. That’s where this leftover turkey rice soup comes in to save the day!
Made with leftover turkey meat, mushrooms, onion, broth, and plenty of seasoning, it’s the perfect way to avoid all of those extra scraps from going to waste. Plus, it’s warm and creamy, preventing the leftover meat from drying out. It’s comfort food at its finest – simple, warm, and filling!
For more delicious leftover turkey recipes, check out my Healthy Turkey Wrap Recipe too!
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Why We Love This Leftover Turkey Soup with Rice
- One pot: All of the ingredients for this easy turkey soup recipe can be cooked and combined in a single pot for effortless cleanup!
- Healthy: Not only is it packed full of protein and loaded with vegetables, but this turkey rice soup is also made with skimmed evaporated milk instead of heavy cream for a lightened-up option that’s every bit as tasty as the original.
- Kid-friendly: There’s just something about the creamy broth and tender turkey that draws kids in. Cut the vegetables into smaller pieces to make it even more kid-friendly!
Ingredient Notes
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- Olive oil: Just a little olive oil is used to sauté the veggies and provide a boost of healthy fats.
- Vegetables: Onion, garlic, mushrooms, carrots, and celery stalks add extra flavor, nutrients, and texture to the soup. You can also toss in any other leftover vegetables you might have on hand.
- Broth: I typically like to use reduced-sodium chicken broth for a low-sodium option but you can also use homemade chicken broth. If you don’t have chicken broth, you can also sub in vegetable broth or turkey broth if you have it on hand.
- Poultry seasoning: A pre-made blend, you can typically find poultry seasoning in the spice section at your local grocery store.
- Rice: For a heartier texture, I like to use a long grain and wild rice blend, but any rice you have on hand like white rice or brown rice can be substituted.
- Turkey: Adds extra protein for a hearty soup. Use leftover or freshly cooked and diced turkey breast. We love to make this Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast or Slow Cooker Turkey Roast and use any leftover Thanksgiving turkey for this soup!
- Evaporated milk: The secret to creating a creamy soup that doesn’t weigh you down. Use 2% partly skimmed evaporated milk for a lighter option. You can also sub in whole milk, if preferred.
How to Make Turkey Rice Soup – Step-by-Step Instructions
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- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot or dutch oven. Saute onion, garlic, mushrooms, carrots, and celery, until the onion is tender and caramelized.
- Add broth, rice mix, and poultry seasoning. Bring the ingredients to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Stir in the cooked turkey and evaporated milk, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable homemade turkey soup recipe!
Expert Tips
- This soup tends to thicken up as it sits. You may wish to add some additional broth and/or evaporated milk before serving to thin it out again. If you do add more liquid, you may also need to increase the seasoning slightly.
- The poultry seasoning is optional, but adds a really nice flavor to the soup. You can use whatever poultry seasoning you can find.
- Adjust the consistency of the soup depending on how creamy you like it. Start with the lower amount of evaporated milk and increase it if you prefer an even creamier soup.
- I recommend using a long grain and wild rice blend instead of just wild rice. If you use all wild rice, it will be too tough and have a more bitter aftertaste. You can find a long grain and wild rice blend in most grocery stores or your local health food store or bulk store.
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Recipe FAQs
No, that’s the beauty of rice soup! The rice will cook as the ingredients boil.
The USDA recommends keeping turkey no longer than 3-4 days before making a leftover turkey soup recipe.
Turkey soup can be a nutrient-dense option. This recipe, in particular, is a good source of lean protein and fiber, while also being rich in Zinc, Phosphorus, Magnesium and A and vitamin B6. A great soup for your body and soul!
Storage & Reheating Guidelines
Refrigerator: Stored in an airtight container, this soup will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Once cooled completely and transferred to a freezer-safe container, leftovers can be frozen for 4-6 months and still retain their wonderful taste.
To reheat: For best results, let your frozen turkey rice soup thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, place it in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through.
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What to Serve with Turkey Soup
This delicious turkey soup is hearty enough to serve on its own, but it also tastes great served alongside your favorite sides!
Try pairing it with:
- Crusty bread
- Healthy cornbread
- Crackers
- Leftover side dishes
- Roasted beets and carrots salad
- Tossed green salad
- Kale salad with cranberries and almonds
- Cruciferous crunch salad
Recipe Variations & Ideas
- Make your own turkey broth: Use the entire leftover turkey carcass to create a homemade turkey stock.
- Use chicken: If you have leftover rotisserie chicken on hand, use that instead of turkey.
- Switch up the veggies: Try adding green beans, kale, spinach, or diced sweet potatoes.
- Add beans: Add in Cannellini, Great Northern, or black beans for a bit of extra texture and even more fiber.
- Add fresh herbs: Try fresh thyme or bay leaves.
- Grains: Swap out the rice for barley or egg noodles for a different twist that’s every bit as delicious.
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More Easy Soup Recipes
- Healthy Chicken Potato Soup
- Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- Chicken Meatball Soup
- Healthy Beef and Barley Soup
- Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
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Healthy Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup with Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 large garlic clove minced
- 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced carrots
- 3/4 cup diced celery
- 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (optional)
- 3/4 cup long grain and wild rice blend
- 2 cups diced cooked turkey
- 3/4 cup partly skimmed evaporated milk
To garnish:
- finely chopped fresh parsley
- freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan or dutch oven. Saute onion, garlic, mushrooms, carrots, and celery, until onion is tender and caramelized.
- Add broth, rice mix and poultry seasoning. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until rice is tender.
- Stir in cooked turkey and evaporated milk, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- This soup tends to thicken up as it sits. You may wish to add some additional broth and/or evaporated milk before serving to thin it out again. If you do add more liquid, you may also need to increase the seasoning slightly.
- The poultry seasoning is optional but adds a really nice flavour to the soup. You can use whatever poultry seasoning you can find.
- Adjust the consistency of the soup depending on how creamy you like it. Start with the lower amount of evaporated milk and increase it if you prefer an even creamier soup.
- I recommend using a long grain and wild rice blend instead of just wild rice. If you use all wild rice, it will be too tough and have a more bitter aftertaste. You can find a long grain and wild rice blend in most grocery stores or your local health food store or bulk store.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in November 2022 and was updated in October 2024 to include more helpful tips.