Creamy Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup

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Creamy turkey noodle soup is a cozy, delicious one-pot meal perfect for your leftover Thanksgiving turkey! With a rich and herby broth, plenty of tender turkey meat, and soft egg noodles, this simple soup will warm the soul!

A bowl of creamy turkey noodle soup on a table with a loaf of brad.

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Soup Recipe

Quick Recipe. Ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or a speedy lunch.

Comfort Food. This soup will warm you from the inside out—your taste buds are in for a cozy, comforting treat!

Versatile Ingredients. The easy recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover turkey meat!

My tried-and-true turkey soup is a great way to turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into a hearty, comforting meal! As mentioned, you can use leftover turkey from a holiday feast, turkey from another dinner, or even chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken, or other cooked meats you have on hand. 

Ingredient Notes

  • Olive oil | Use olive oil to sauté the onions and start the flavor base of the soup.
  • Vegetables | A small diced onion, a couple of diced celery stalks, and chopped carrots form the aromatic base and add flavor and texture to the soup.
  • Fresh garlic | Minced garlic cloves add a punch of flavor and enhance the overall taste of the soup.
  • Cooked turkey |  Use leftover turkey or pre-cooked turkey to add protein and heartiness to the soup.
  • Noodles | Egg noodles cook up nice and tender in the broth, making the soup more filling.
  • Soup base | Chicken stock is the liquid base of the soup that adds rich, savory flavor—chicken broth will work in a pinch—while half and half brings the cozy creaminess.
  • Seasonings and herbs | Italian seasoning, a bay leaf, kosher salt, and black pepper add depth and complexity to the soup’s flavor.
  • Corn starch | Use corn starch to thicken the soup and give it a creamy texture.

How to Make Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup

Get ready to dip your spoon into a bowl of creamy turkey noodle soup where tender turkey meets savory herbs and egg noodles that practically melt in your mouth!

STEP 1 | Chop the veggies

Let’s start by chopping up all those veggies. Get your carrots, celery, and onions ready—this is the base of our easy turkey noodle soup.

Onions, carrots, and celery being sauteed in a Dutch oven for soup.

STEP 2 | Sauté the onions

Next up, heat some olive oil in a big Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium heat. Toss in those diced onions with a pinch of kosher salt. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes until they soften and turn translucent.

STEP 3 | Add carrots, celery, and garlic

Now, add in your chopped carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Let everything cook for another 3-4 minutes until the veggies are tender but crisp.

Cooked and shredded turkey added to a pot for soup.

STEP 4 | Mix in turkey and noodles

Time to add the cooked turkey and egg noodles. Pour in your chicken stock, and throw in the Italian seasoning and bay leaf. Give it a good stir.

Vegetales, turkey, and broth in a Dutch oven for turkey noodle soup.

STEP 5 | Let it simmer

Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it’s bubbling, turn the heat down to medium and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until the noodles are al dente.

STEP 6 | Thicken the soup

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with half-and-half to make a slurry. Whisk it until smooth and lump-free. Slowly pour the slurry into the soup, stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes until it thickens.

Adding noodles and cream to soup in a Ddutch oven.

STEP 7 | Final touches

Take out the bay leaf and give the soup a taste. Season with kosher salt and black pepper as needed.

I usually add about 3/4 teaspoon of kosher salt. Garnish with fresh herbs if you like, and serve hot! Enjoy your homemade turkey noodle soup!

A wooden spoon removing a bay leaf from a pot of creamy turkey noodle soup.

Looking for more creative ways to use up leftovers? Try making Crispy Potato Cakes from any leftover mashed potatoes or whip up Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta with leftover chicken. 

Tips from the Home Chef’s Kitchen

If you’re not into dicing, feel free to use pre-cut veggies. Just make sure they’re all roughly the same size for even cooking.

Remember, we want the onions soft, not caramelized.

Give the garlic a quick stir so it doesn’t burn.

Creamy turkey noodle soup in a Dutch oven on a table.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Different Noodles. If you don’t have egg noodles, any pasta shape will do. Just adjust the cooking time according to the pasta you use.
  • Thicken the Soup. You can add a bit more slurry if you prefer a thicker soup. Just make sure to mix it well before adding it in.
  • Taste as you go. Everyone’s salt tolerance differs, so adjust the seasoning to your liking.
  • Swap the Protein. Use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken instead of turkey to make easy chicken noodle soup.
  • Add More Veggies. Toss in additional veggies like peas, green beans, or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Spice It Up. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to give the soup a little kick.
  • If you’re not concerned about shortcuts, use your leftover turkey carcass or turkey wings to make your own homemade turkey stock and even try your hand at homemade egg noodles to toss into the soup for real home-cooked goodness.

Storage and Reheating Tips

  • Your homemade turkey noodle soup will last about 3-4 days in the fridge. After it cools completely, store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
  • Also, you can freeze it! Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It should be good for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
  • When reheating, the noodles may become softer, so it’s often best to cook fresh noodles when you reheat.
A ladle of turkey noodle soup being lifted out of a pot of soup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my turkey soup taste bland?

If it’s not hitting the spot, try adding a little more salt to brighten up the flavor.

Do you have to boil noodles before adding to soup?

Nope, you don’t always have to boil noodles separately. You can add them directly to the soup and let them cook right in the broth. Just adjust the cooking time so they don’t overcook and get mushy!

Can you make this recipe in the crockpot?

Sure! Just toss broth, turkey, veggies, and seasonings into the crockpot. Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours. Then, stir in the egg noodles and cook for another 15 minutes on HIGH until tender.

Do I use dark or white meat for Turkey Soup?

You can use either one or both, depending on what you’re feeling.

Looking for more Homemade Soups for Fall?

Try the  Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe for a rich, comforting bowl, or dive into Chicken Pot Pie Soup for a fun twist. If you’re into slow-cooked flavors, crockpot Beef Vegetable Soup is a hearty choice, and don’t miss out on this classic Julia Child French Onion Soup Recipe for that unbeatable savory goodness. 

A bowl of turkey noodle soup on a table with move soup in a pot in the background.

What to Serve With Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup

How about some warm, crusty bread or buttery rolls, like these quick 3-ingredient Mayonnaise Biscuits or classic Easy Homemade Yeast Rolls, to soak up that creamy broth? 

You could also make a fresh, crisp salad, like my ultimate Chopped Kale Salad, or a more crowd-pleasing SevenLayer Salad. All delicious!

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A bowl of creamy turkey noodle soup on a table with a loaf of brad.

Turkey Noodle Soup

Creamy turkey noodle soup is a cozy and delicious one-pot meal that is perfect for your leftover Thanksgiving turkey! With a rich and herby broth, plenty of tender turkey meat, and dumpling-like egg noodles, this simple soup will warm the soul!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Soups & Stews
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 282 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 3 medium carrots peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups cooked turkey
  • 1 cup egg noodles
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Warm the olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onions and a pinch of kosher salt, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions start to soften and become translucent.
  • Add the chopped carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook the vegetables for 3-4 more minutes, until no longer crisp.
  • Add the cooked turkey and egg noodles. Pour in the chicken stock, and add the Italian seasoning and bay leaf.
  • Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the soup begins to boil, turn the heat down to medium and allow it to simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the noodles are cooked al dente.
  • In a separate small bowl, add the corn starch to the half and half to form a slurry. Whisk together until the slurry is nice and smooth and no lumps remain. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering soup and stir frequently for 3-5 minutes, until the soup has thickened.
  • Remove the bay leaf from the pot. Taste the soup and season with additional kosher salt and black pepper to taste. The amount of salt you add will depend on how salty your chicken or turkey broth is. I added about 3/4 teaspoon of kosher salt. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately!

Notes

  • If you’re not into dicing, feel free to use pre-cut veggies. Just make sure they’re all roughly the same size for even cooking.
  • Remember, we want the onions soft, not caramelized.
  • Give the garlic a quick stir so it doesn’t burn.

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 10gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 867mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 7980IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 1mg

Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Keyword leftovers, noodles, turkey
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