Dinner

Turkey Soup Recipe

Bynova cole February 27, 2026February 27, 2026

Introduction

This comforting turkey soup is a perfect way to use leftover turkey and create a warm, satisfying meal. Packed with tender vegetables, flavorful broth, and pasta, it’s an easy dish that comes together quickly for busy weeknights.

The image shows a white pot filled with chicken noodle soup placed on a wooden surface covered with a grey and white checkered cloth. The soup has three main layers: the clear golden broth forming the base, chunks of white chicken pieces and small shell pasta floating in the broth as the middle layer, and bright orange round carrot slices along with light green celery pieces scattered throughout as the top layer. There are also small green herb bits sprinkled on top and a bay leaf resting on the surface of the soup. In the background, a small white bowl with chopped green herbs is partially visible on the white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
2 ribs celery, sliced
2 to 3 cups cooked chopped turkey (or shredded)
8 cups turkey broth (or chicken broth, homemade or store bought)
½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 bay leaf
4 ounces medium shells pasta (about 1 ½ cups, or other medium pasta)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 more minute to form a light roux.
Step 2: Add the sliced carrots, celery, chopped turkey, broth, poultry seasoning, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
Step 3: Stir in the pasta and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Remove from heat, discard the bay leaf, and stir in fresh parsley if using.
Step 4: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty turkey soup.

Tips & Variations

For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free pasta.
You can add diced potatoes or green beans for extra vegetables and texture.
Using homemade turkey broth will add the richest flavor, but store-bought broth works perfectly well for convenience.
If you prefer a thicker soup, let it simmer a few minutes longer before adding the pasta to reduce slightly.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if it has thickened too much. You can also freeze the soup for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up image of chicken noodle soup in a white pot, showing three main layers of ingredients in a clear golden broth: large orange carrot slices scattered throughout, pale yellow celery pieces, and shell-shaped pasta along with chunks of white chicken meat, all sprinkled with small green herb bits. A large metal ladle is lifting some soup with visible pieces of carrot, celery, pasta, and chicken, highlighting the thick textures and simmered look of the dish. The soup looks warm and hearty with a soft light reflecting off the broth, presented on a white marbled texture surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute the medium shells with other medium-sized pasta shapes like ditalini, elbows, or small shells. Just adjust cooking time as needed based on the pasta type.

What if I don’t have cooked turkey?

You can use leftover chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken as an alternative. If you don’t have cooked poultry, cook raw pieces first and add them to the soup later to ensure they are fully cooked.