Homemade Turkey Soup

Name: Homemade Turkey Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 1 small yellow onion (diced); 2 ribs celery (diced); 1 cup carrots (diced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon hot sauce; 8 cups chicken broth (can sub turkey broth or stock); 1 bay leaf; 3 cups leftover turkey (diced/shredded); 1 cup wide egg noodles (uncooked); 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1 teaspoon parsley; 1 teaspoon mustard powder; ¼ teaspoon ground sage; ¼ teaspoon pepper

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

If you're looking for the perfect way to put all that leftover Thanksgiving turkey to good use, this Turkey Noodle Soup is exactly what you need! This recipe transforms your holiday leftovers into a rich and flavorful soup made with tasty diced veggies, warm spices, savory broth, tender pasta, and of course, leftover turkey. Together, they create a simple, comforting dish that's cozy, hearty, and full of flavor.

Homemade soup with tender turkey, vegetables and noodles.

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!

It's truly comfort in a bowl, and the kind of recipe that warms you from the inside out. Whether you serve it up as an easy weeknight dinner or freeze a batch to enjoy later, it's a wonderful way to savor the flavors of Thanksgiving long after the holiday is over.

If you're looking for a heartier version of turkey soup, don't miss my Turkey Noodle Soup recipe. That version uses potatoes, a richer broth base, and pasta for a classic, cozy feel, while this soup recipe keeps things lighter with egg noodles, extra herbs, and a quicker cook time. Both are great ways to use leftover turkey-they just offer two delicious styles depending on what you're craving.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Substitutions & Variations
How to Make Homemade Turkey Soup
Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Storage & Freezing Instructions
More Turkey Recipes You'll Love
Did you try this recipe?
Homemade Turkey Soup

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Great way to use up leftover turkey: A delicious and practical way to repurpose holiday leftovers.
Make-ahead friendly: Extremely easy to prep in advance, store, and freeze for later! It freezes just as beautifully as our Big Batch Homemade Chili, making it perfect for stocking your freezer with cozy meals.
Warm and comforting flavor: Cozy, soothing, and keeps the Thanksgiving flavors going even after it's over.
Simple and delicious: You'll likely already have most of the ingredients on hand, making it a convenient, low-effort recipe with big flavor.
One-pot convenience: Aside from boiling the noodles, everything comes together in a single soup pot for easy cleanup.
Better the next day: The flavors deepen as they rest, making leftovers even more delicious- just like our Easy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.

Ingredients

Gather the ingredients below to make this turkey soup recipe!

Butter: Used to sautê and add rich flavor the vegetables.
Yellow onion, diced: Use a small onion to add a hint of sweetness and flavor to the soup. White onions can also be used.
Ribs celery, diced: Adds some savory flavor and texture to the soup
Carrots, diced: Add sweetness and color to the soup
Garlic minced cloves: Brings a sharp flavor and delicious smell to the soup
Worcestershire sauce: Enhances the savory flavor of the broth
Hot sauce: Adds some heat and brightens the flavor of the soup
Chicken broth: The main liquid base of the soup. Homemade or store bought both work great. Substitute for a turkey broth or stock if preferred.
Bay leaf: Adds herbal flavor
Leftover turkey, diced/shredded: Both white and dark meat work well.
Wide egg noodles, uncooked: Adds heartiness and texture. Almost any other pasta shape you have on hand can be substituted.
Dried basil, oregano, and parsley: Add more herbal flavor and freshness to the soup
Mustard powder: A subtle flavor enhancer that adds a bit of tanginess.
Ground sage: An herb that pairs well with poultry, adds a savory flavor.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions & Variations

Chicken noodle soup: This recipe works just as great with leftover chicken as well.
Leftover gravy or mashed potatoes: Feel free to stir in a bit of leftover gravy or a few scoops of mashed potatoes to thicken the soup.
Lemon juice substitution: If you don't have Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce on hand, a splash of lemon juice or soy sauce adds similar brightness and savory flavor.
Swap the noodles: Use rice, orzo, or rotini if you're out of egg noodles - all work beautifully in this soup.
Add creaminess: Stir in a splash of heavy cream, half-and-half, or evaporated milk for a richer, cozier texture.

How to Make Homemade Turkey Soup

Once you've gathered all your ingredients, boil the noodles, set aside and follow the steps below for this delicious leftover turkey soup recipe!

Step 1: Melt butter in a large soup pot, then add onions, celery, and carrots and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes or until the carrots are softened.

Cooked carrots, celery, and onions mixed with a bay leaf and herbs.

Step 2: Add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, bay leaf, basil, oregano, parsley, mustard powder, sage, and pepper. Stir well and continue cooking for 5 minutes.

Broth being poured into a pot of cooked vegetables.

Step 3: Add broth and bring to a boil.

Bowl of cubed cooked turkey held over a pot.

Step 4: Add turkey and allow soup to simmer for 15 minutes.

Egg noodles added to a pot of hot broth.

Step 5: Add cooked pasta.

Bowl of turkey soup with carrots and noodles.

Step 6: Serve immediately.

Ladle of turkey soup with carrots and noodles.

Helpful Tips

Add turkey at the end: Since it's already cooked, add your turkey to the soup towards the end to avoid drying it out.
Store pasta separately: Avoid mushy pasta by storing it separate from the broth in the refrigerator.
Dice ingredients evenly: Cutting your veggies and turkey into similar-sized pieces helps everything cook evenly and gives the soup a more consistent texture. A chef's knife gets the job done quickly!
Sauté for flavor: Let the onions, carrots, and celery cook until softened and fragrant - this builds a deeper, richer soup base.
Season as you go: Broth salt levels vary, so tasting and adjusting before adding the noodles ensures the perfect flavor balance.
Don't skip the bay leaf: It adds subtle savory depth that really rounds out the classic turkey-soup flavor.

Bowl of turkey soup in a white bowl with carrots and egg noodles.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use chicken instead of turkey in this soup?

Yes! Leftover chicken works perfectly in this recipe and gives you the same cozy, comforting flavor.

How do I keep the noodles from getting mushy?

If you won't be eating all of the soup right away you may want to cook the noodles separately and store them apart from the broth. Add them to individual bowls right before serving.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes. Sauté the veggies first, then add everything except the noodles to the slow cooker and cook on low 4-6 hours. Add cooked noodles at the end.

Can I use frozen vegetables in the turkey soup?

If you only have frozen veggies on hand, you can for sure use them for this recipe. There's no need to thaw them beforehand; simply add them into the soup within the last 5-10 minutes of cooking. Softer vegetables will cook faster than denser vegetables, so add them later to prevent them from becoming mushy.

Can I make homemade turkey soup ahead of time?

Feel free to make this recipe 2-3 days ahead of time, but just wait to cook and add the pasta until right before serving and eating. You can also refrigerate the cooked noodles separate from the soup and reheat it all together when you're ready.

Turkey soup featuring carrots, noodles, and diced turkey.

Storage & Freezing Instructions

Storage Instructions

Let your soup cool to room temperature before putting it in an airtight container and storing it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Freezing Instructions

To freeze turkey noodle soup, allow it to cool to room temperature and then store it in a freezer safe bag or container. The soup will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months. Then, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving.