Pin it
My family's got this amazing way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers that'll make your mouth water! I watched my mom turn that picked-over turkey skeleton into something magical for years before I finally got the hang of it myself. When you mix that homemade broth with chunks of leftover turkey and veggies, it's pure magic in a bowl. The biggest win? When I cooked it by myself for the first time and Mom said it tasted just like hers - can't get a better thumbs-up than that!
What Makes This Soup Stand Out
This goes way beyond regular turkey soup! Using the leftover bones to make your own broth creates this amazing flavor that store-bought stuff just can't touch. My brother-in-law tried it last Thanksgiving and swore it beat the main meal. That's saying something! And my kiddos who normally want nothing to do with leftovers actually ask for this soup over and over again!
Ingredients You'll Want
- For Your Homemade Broth: The turkey skeleton with any scraps left, Chunky carrots broken down, Crunchy celery stalks, A nice onion, Several cloves of garlic, Aromatic bay leaves, Whole black peppercorns
- For Your Actual Soup: Additional veggies cut tiny, Bits of leftover turkey meat, Your preferred egg noodles, The family poultry spice mix, Some bright fresh parsley to top it off
Getting Down To Business
- Brewing Up The Base
- We're gonna make liquid magic first thing! Dump everything in the biggest pot you can find and let it bubble away slowly. Your whole house will smell incredible all over again. I always laugh watching family members drift toward the kitchen asking what smells so good!
- Putting It All Together
- After we've got our amazing broth ready, in go the fresh veggies and turkey bits. There's nothing like watching those little carrot and celery cubes soften up just right. And when those noodles go in? Everyone suddenly finds a reason to hang around the kitchen!
- Finishing Touches
- Everything comes together with just the right seasonings and lots of fresh parsley scattered on top for the ultimate comfort food! I love how those egg noodles drink up all that tasty broth like little flavor sponges.
Pin it
Insider Tricks
Wanna know my mom's top tips for knockout turkey soup? Give that broth tons of time to simmer slowly. The longer it cooks, the tastier it gets! Cut all your vegetables about the same size so they cook evenly. And my mom's number one rule? Don't toss in those noodles until you're almost ready to eat so they stay firm and perfect!
Time To Eat
We always serve this in the biggest bowls we can find with extra parsley sprinkled on top. You absolutely need some fresh bread or warm biscuits on the side to mop up every last drop! Whenever friends pop by during the holiday weekend, a bowl of this soup makes them feel right at home.
Think Ahead
Know what's super smart? Making the broth while you're cleaning up after the big meal! Just pop it in the fridge and finish the soup next day. I also freeze small containers of broth so when I'm craving comfort food in February, I'm all set!
Make It Your Own
Feel free to switch things up! I often toss in whatever veggies need using up from the fridge. My kids go crazy when I swap out the egg noodles for tiny star pasta. And once I tried adding little balls of leftover stuffing as dumplings. Wow! That's the fun part of cooking, finding what works best for your family.
Pin it
The Heart Behind The Bowl
This soup has grown into way more than just using up leftovers. It's become part of how we celebrate! There's something really cool about taking what might get tossed out and turning it into something totally new and tasty. My kids are learning not to waste food by seeing how we can use every bit of our holiday turkey.
The tastiness is great but knowing we're keeping family traditions alive is even better! Whether you make it right after Turkey Day or pull some frozen broth out in the middle of winter, this soup brings back good memories with every spoonful. And isn't that what makes family cooking so special?
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What's the benefit of homemade stock?
Making it yourself draws out deeper flavor and nutrients. Plus, it puts leftover turkey bones to good use!
- → Why skim foam off stock?
Foam includes impurities that give the stock a cloudy look. Skimming leaves you with a clear, clean-tasting base.
- → Can I freeze this?
Yes, pop it in the freezer for up to half a year. To save room, concentrate the stock first and dilute when ready to use.
- → Is liver okay for stock?
Skip liver—it gives a bitter taste when cooked too long. Other giblets are fine to toss in.
- → What if I don’t add rice or noodles?
It’s still delicious with just veggies and turkey! Skipping those also keeps it gluten-free and lower-carb.
Conclusion
Whip up a hearty turkey soup starting with rich, homemade stock made from leftover turkey bones and fresh veggies.