• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Nutrition to Fit

  • ABOUT
    • Press
  • SERVICES
  • RECIPES
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • NUTRITION
  • RECIPES
  • SISTER SITES
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • NUTRITION
    • RECIPES
    • SISTER SITES
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Easy Leftover Turkey Soup (Slow Cooker)

    Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN Published: Nov 29, 2018 · Updated: Nov 20, 2022 · 10 Comments

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

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This leftover turkey soup recipe is an easy slow cooker recipe that helps use your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! It's light and versatile - use your favorite vegetables!

    This leftover turkey soup recipe is an easy slow cooker recipe that helps use your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! It's light and versatile - use your favorite vegetables!

    One of the best things about Thanksgiving is the turkey leftovers - namely because there is so much you can do with them! See, I enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers but mostly if I can repurpose them. So leftover mashed potatoes get an upgrade with mashed potato patties. Leftover turkey can of course go in sandwiches, or in my turkey BLT lettuce cups, or this new leftover turkey soup.

    One of the reasons I love this leftover turkey soup is it's a versatile and forgiving recipe. I've made it a bunch of different ways depending on what vegetables I have or are on sale at the store. This version includes carrots, onion, kale, and zucchini. You can certainly add celery, corn, sweet potatoes, peas, tomatoes - canned or fresh!

    This leftover turkey soup recipe is an easy slow cooker recipe that helps use your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! It's light and versatile - use your favorite vegetables!

    Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe Tips

    Does it matter what kind of turkey I use?

    Nope - white, dark, whatever you have leftover! Just make sure to remove any skin/ bone from turkey pieces before chopping and adding to the soup.

    Can I substitute other types of stock or broth?

    Totally! I love to save my Thanksgiving turkey carcass/ bones and make a batch of slow cooker turkey stock. (Pro tip: if you're not going to have time to make it soon, you can always package up your carcass/ bones and toss in the freezer until you're ready to make stock). But you can totally use chicken or vegetable stock, or anything else you have as well. Heck, I've totally used a broth and water combo in this soup before when I've run out!

    Does it matter what vegetables I use?

    Not really - use whatever vegetables you enjoy. This slow cooker leftover turkey soup recipe is super accommodating to individual preferences/ food availability. I've shared what I did below, but generally I'd say you could do six cups of any chopped vegetables and two cups any chopped dark leafy greens.

    Can I make this turkey soup on the stove top or in an Instant Pot instead of the slower cooker?

    Yup! I don't have an Instant Pot, so I can't attest to specific timing instructions, but you can make it in the instant pot for sure. You also can cook on the stove top. Either add all the ingredients and let simmer for 30-60 minutes or you can even saute the vegetables first for an added layer of flavor.

    What is the turkey soup garnished with?

    Great question! I used some leftover whole grain Thanksgiving rolls and sliced into cubes and pan-fried into crispy croutons. No specific recipe, but a basic how-to is in the recipe notes below. You can also garnish with a spoonful of pesto, sliced avocado, or anything else that sounds great to you.

    This leftover turkey soup recipe is an easy slow cooker recipe that helps use your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! It's light and versatile - use your favorite vegetables!

    Want more easy, healthy soup recipes? Try my favorites!

    • Spiced Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup
    • Chicken and Kale White Bean Chili
    • 3-Ingredient Black Bean Soup
    • Hearty Vegetable Chili
    • Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

    When you give this easy leftover turkey soup a try, be sure to take a pic and tag me (@nutritiontofit and #nutritiontofit) on social media! And leave a comment and rate the recipe below too, to help share with others how it worked for you (especially with any modifications you made). Live well!

    This leftover turkey soup recipe is an easy slow cooker recipe that helps use your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! It's light and versatile - use your favorite vegetables!

    This leftover turkey soup recipe is an easy slow cooker recipe that helps use your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! It's light and versatile - use your favorite vegetables!
    Print Recipe
    5 from 7 votes

    Easy Leftover Turkey Soup

    This leftover turkey soup recipe is an easy slow cooker recipe that helps use your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! It's light and versatile - use your favorite vegetables!
    free from: wheat/ gluten, soy, dairy, egg, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time4 hrs
    Total Time4 hrs 15 mins
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 112kcal
    Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups turkey chopped
    • 2 cups carrots chopped
    • 1 cup onion chopped
    • 1 cup celery chopped
    • 2 cups zucchini chopped
    • 2 cups kale chopped
    • 8 cups low sodium turkey broth
    • 1 teaspoon ground thyme
    • 1 teaspoon ground sage
    • any desired garnish/ toppings
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and stir. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8. 
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutrition information is calculated based on ingredients I listed and used, but you can make this recipe with any 6 cups of vegetables you like, 2 cups of any dark leafy green, and any type of stock/ broth preferred. 
    Leftovers can be stored in the fridge up to four days or can be frozen up to three months.
    To top with pan-fried bread cubes: slice a leftover roll or slice of bread. Add to a skillet with a little oil or butter of choice and pan fry until crispy. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 473mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4845IU | Vitamin C: 12.6mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1.3mg

    This leftover turkey soup recipe is an easy slow cooker recipe that helps use your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! It's light and versatile - use your favorite vegetables!

    More Recipes

    • Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
    • Pumpkin Crumble Bars
    • Turmeric Overnight Oats
    • Cherry Popsicles

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liz Shaw says

      December 03, 2018 at 12:53 am

      I've been doing everything with my leftover turkey- i love this simple soup you've created!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 09, 2018 at 12:18 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    2. Meme says

      December 03, 2018 at 10:57 am

      One of my favorite ways to use leftover turkey is to make soup! This will be perfect for the week of meal prep!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 09, 2018 at 12:17 pm

        Soup is always a great addition to meal prep!

        Reply
    3. Tawnie Kroll says

      December 04, 2018 at 11:19 am

      Perfect way to use leftover turkey during the holidays! I loved the kale in this soup!!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 09, 2018 at 12:16 pm

        Thank you so much! I love adding leafy greens in recipes like this where they go so well!

        Reply
    4. Emily Kyle says

      December 09, 2018 at 10:15 am

      I love how versatile this is, I just used what I had in the fridge and it was delicious.

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 09, 2018 at 12:14 pm

        Oh perfect!! And yes - healthy recipes do not have to be complicated!

        Reply
    5. Lorie says

      December 09, 2018 at 12:20 pm

      We have turkey for Christmas as well so saving this for the next day!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 12, 2018 at 12:12 pm

        Perfect! We've done turkeys on Christmas before, too!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey there!

    Welcome to Nutrition to Fit - your go-to source of evidence-based nutrition information (written by a registered dietitian) and how to realistically apply it to your life. We won't tell you what to do, but we will equip and empower you to live your healthiest life, however that looks for you. *Read More*

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • ABOUT
    • SERVICES
    • RECIPES

    Footer

    RECIPES:

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Drinks

    Wellness:

    • Nutrition
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Reviews
    nutrition to fit logo
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Amazon

    SISTER SITES:

    🔝back to top | about | contact | work with me | privacy policies & disclaimers | © 2023 NutritiontoFit.com all rights reserved

    as an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Privacy Policy
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT