Turkey Rice Soup Recipe

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Looking for an easyTurkey Rice Soup Recipe? This soup is delicious and simple to make. It is a great way to use leftover turkey. I know you are going to love thisTurkey Vegetable Rice Soup Recipe.

Turkey Rice Soup Recipe | Our Wabi Sabi Life (1)

EasyTurkey and Rice Soup Recipe

If you love tasty soup, you are going to love this recipe. It is filling, healthy, and tastes like comfort food at its best. If you are looking for a way to use leftover turkey, you want to try this recipe for turkey vegetable rice soup.

🧾 Ingredients in Leftover Turkey Rice Soup

Get the full list of ingredients, with measurements, and step-by-step instructions at the bottom of the post in the printable recipe card.

Uncooked rice-If you choose to use leftover cooked rice, you can skip the rice cooking stage of the recipe. This is a great way to use leftovers and save time.
Vegetables:You can use whatever veggies you like but I am using,celery, onions, red peppers, garlic cloves, green beans, and carrots. This is a great way to use holiday leftovers. Use the veggies from the veggie tray or if they are cooked just add them at the end of the cooking stage.
Turkey-Use leftover Thanksgiving turkey, a combination of light and dark meat, for the soup. You can also use ground turkey.
Seasoning:Basil, Salt, and Pepper
Vegetable, turkey, or chicken broth-You can use homemade turkey stock, chicken stock, or vegetable stock or use store-bought. Use the leftover turkey carcass to make a flavorful broth.

🍳 How to Make Turkey and Rice Soup

Cook the rice: Follow the directions on the package and cook the long grain rice.

Start cooking the rice according to the directions.

Cook the veggies:While the rice is cooking, heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Addcelery, onions, red peppers, garlic cloves, green beans, and carrotsto the pot and cook until they are soft.

Add turkey:Once the veggies are cooked add chopped leftover turkey or ground turkey to the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the turkey is cooked through.

Add broth:Pour vegetable, turkey, or chicken broth over the veggies and turkey.

Season:Add basil, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir well.

Simmer:Let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes until all flavors are combined. Rinse and drain the rinse and add to the soup.

Serve: Once the rice is cooked, add it to the soup and stir well. Let simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Enjoy:Serve hot in bowls and enjoy your delicious and hearty Turkey and Rice Soup! This recipe is perfect for using up leftovers from Thanksgiving or any other holiday meal.

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🥄 Variations and Optional Ingredients

Vegetables:You can use any vegetables you have on hand or prefer in this soup. Some great options include corn, peas, mushrooms, or zucchini. Feel free to get creative with your veggie choices!
Meat:If you don’t have turkey on hand, you can also use rotisserie chicken for this recipe. Or, for a vegetarian version, you can omit the meat altogether and add in some tofu or extra vegetables.
Seasonings:This soup is very versatile and you can play around with different herbs, like fresh thyme, and seasonings to suit your taste. Some great options include thyme, oregano, parsley, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick.
Grains:Instead of white rice, you can use other grains such as brown rice or wild rice blend, quinoa, barley, or even pasta. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Garnish:Feel free to top your soup with some shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or some crispy croutons for added flavor and texture.

🍽️ What to Serve With Turkey Rice Soup

This hearty soup can be eaten as a standalone meal, but it also pairs well with some delicious side dishes. Here are a few ideas to complete your meal:

Crusty Bread:Serve the soup alongside some warm, crusty bread for dipping.
Salad:Add some greens to your meal by serving a fresh salad on the side. The light and tangy flavors will complement the rich and hearty soup.
Crackers and Cheese:For a quick and easy side, serve some crackers and cheese alongside your soup. This is great for a light lunch or snack.

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🍶 Storing Homemade Soup

Refrigerator Storage:Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Freezer Storage:This soup can also be frozen for longer storage. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

💭Tip for Making the PerfectLeftover Turkey Vegetable Soup

Adjust the Seasonings:Feel free to adjust the seasonings in this soup to your liking. Add more salt, pepper, or herbs as desired.
Add Extra Veggies:This soup is also a great way to use up any leftover vegetables you have on hand. Simply chop them up and add them in during the last few minutes of cooking.
Serve with Toppings:For added flavor and texture, top your soup with some shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped fresh herbs before serving. You can also add a sprinkle of crumbled bacon for some extra protein.

With these ideas in mind, you can enjoy a warm and comforting bowl of leftover turkey vegetable soup any time. Plus, the leftovers will taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. Make a big batch and save some for later. Your future self will thank you for it.

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❔FAQs for Homemade Turkey Soup

Can I add noodles or rice to this soup?

Absolutely! You can add in some cooked pasta or rice during the last few minutes of cooking for a heartier soup. Alternatively, you can serve the soup over a bed of cooked grains for a more filling meal. Experiment with different types of noodles or grains to find your favorite combination.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, this soup can be made in a slow cooker. Simply add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. This makes a fantastic slow cooker turkey soup.

Can I make this soup in an Instant Pot?

Yes, this soup can also be made in an Instant Pot. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cooking soup and adjust cooking time accordingly.

What are some other toppings or garnishes I can use for this soup?

There are many delicious options for topping this soup! Some popular choices include shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped fresh herbs, croutons, sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado, hot sauce or salsa, and a drizzle of olive oil. Feel free to use any combination of toppings that sound appealing to you.
You can also offer a variety of options for your guests to choose from when serving this soup at a gathering or party. Overall, this soup is versatile and customizable, making it a great addition to any meal plan. So go ahead and get creative with your toppings! There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy this delicious and comforting soup.

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📖More Leftover Turkey Recipes

If you have leftover turkey and want more ideas on how to use it, I think you are going to love these leftover turkey recipes.

Turkey Lasagna
Leftover Turkey StroganoffNeed to change the number of servings? You can click on the number of servings and change the number. This will adjust the ingredient measurements to what you need.
Leftover Turkey Soup | White Bean and Turkey Soup
Leftover-turkey-noodle-casserole/
Chicken EnchiladasThese might be chicken enchiladas but you can certainly swap leftover turkey.

If you love this recipe, come back and give it 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Looking for an easy Turkey Rice Soup Recipe? This soup is delicious and simple to make. It is a great way to use leftover turkey. I know you are going to love this Turkey Vegetable Rice Soup Recipe.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked rice or 3 cups cooked rice
2 Celery Stalks
1/2 onion
1 red pepper
4 garlic cloves
1 1/2 cups green beans chopped
2 large carrots
2 cups turkey chopped
2 Tablespoons Basil
Salt and Pepper to taste
32 ounce vegetable or turkey or chicken broth

Directions

Start cooking the rice according to the directions.
While the rice is cooking, chop the veggies and saute them until soft.
Add in the seasoning and turkey. Saute a bit longer, then add the broth.
Once the rice is done, add to the veggies. I personally prefer to rinse my rice first. I find it makes the soup too starchy otherwise, but it is not necessary.
Bring soup to a boil slowly, on medium heat. Now your soup is done. Enjoy.

Notes

How Many Weight Watchers Point in Turkey and Rice Soup

While most of the ingredients in this soup are 0 points the rice in this recipe does give it some points. This healthy delicious recipe has 3 Weight Watchers Points.

Keyword turkey rice soup

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Turkey Rice Soup Recipe | Our Wabi Sabi Life (2024)

FAQs

Does rice soak up broth in soup? ›

The rice will cook in the hot chicken stock, soaking up all the tasty flavors as it softens. That said, if you have leftover cooked rice you want to use instead, you may do that, but know that you won't need as much stock or broth since the cooked rice won't soak as much of it up.

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How do you keep rice from breaking down in soup? ›

In order to prevent the breakdown of any grain-based ingredients in your soup, it's best to store them separately from the liquid and add them in with each individual serving. Grains and grain-based ingredients are excellent at soaking up water.

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What are the benefits of homemade turkey soup? ›

The benefits of bone broth go beyond its flavor. It is full of collagen and gelatin which are great for hair, nail and skin health as well as healthy joints. It's also full of nutrients that can contribute to improved gut and immune system health.

Get More Info Here ›

How to add cooked rice to soup? ›

If you are ever inclined to make a soup with rice, resist the urge and ignore directions that tell you to add the rice to the broth. Cook the rice separately and warm the grains gently in the microwave right before serving. Spoon the rice into the soup bowl and then ladle the prepared soup around it.

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Should you cook rice before adding to soup? ›

Can you put uncooked rice in soup? Yes – uncooked rice is best to add into soup because it soaks up the flavour of the broth, making it extra tasty!

What is the best rice to use in soup? ›

The best rice for soup is long-grain rice like basmati, jasmine, or wild rice. These types of rice stay firm and fluffy in soup. Short-grain rice turns mushy and creates a clumpy texture.

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What is the best soup thickener? ›

Whisking beurre manié (butter-flour paste) into simmering soup is the best way to thicken an otherwise too-watery soup. Add bits of the paste gradually and simmer to cook out any raw flour taste. The broth will be velvety smooth, rich, and thick.

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How to thicken turkey soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

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How do you thicken rice soup? ›

2. Add Rice. When you want to add a little heft to your broth—say, when preparing a chicken or vegetable soup—rice can do the trick. Simply throw a handful of any uncooked white rice you have into the broth as you cook the soup and let it simmer for at least half an hour.

Is it OK to eat homemade soup everyday? ›

What Experts Say. "The concept of eating soup to lose weight has spanned decades, but experts say an all-soup diet lacks nutrients and is not sustainable. They do agree it can be smart to eat vegetable-packed soups for some meals, though, as these are filling, nutrient-dense, and low in calories."

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How to spice up bland turkey soup? ›

You can add more herbs and different spices to add more flavor to turkey soup, but sometimes a bit of salt is all you need. The other clincher is cooking the carcass low and slow to get as much flavor from the roast turkey as possible. Try sauteeing your vegetables in a bit of olive oil before adding to the soup.

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When should I add rice to soup? ›

Same as if you want to make chicken noodle soup that won't be eaten immediately: cook the rice separately and add just before serving. If you want to cook the rice in the soup, use about half of what you'd think was enough.

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Can rice thicken a soup? ›

When added to a brothy (or watery, even) soup, and left to simmer for 20-30 minutes, the rice breaks down, releasing its starch and thickening the liquid that it's cooking in. It's a double whammy because you get that added rice-y flavor and bonus thickening, leaving you fuller and more satisfied.

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Why does rice get mushy in soup? ›

Mushy or soggy rice is usually caused by two things: the rice is overcooked, and too much liquid is absorbed into the rice.

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Will cooked rice absorb broth? ›

Will cooked rice absorb broth? Cooked rice will absorb a small amount of broth, but you'll get much better results from actually cooking the rice in broth, rather than adding it afterward.

Does rice soak up liquid? ›

It all depends on what you want as a end result. If you're trying to make rice porridge ( congee), the rice to water ratio might vary from 1:6 to as high as 1:10 or more. For the kind of side dish rice I grew up with, usually you would use 1:2, rice to water. Rice is capable of absorbing an astonishing amount of water.

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Will cooked rice absorb liquid? ›

After running a series of tests, we confirmed that rice absorbs water in a 1:1 ratio, no matter the volume. So in our original rice pilaf recipe, which calls for 1 1/2 cups of rice and 2 1/4 cups of water, the rice absorbed 1 1/2 cups of water. The remaining 3/4 cup of water evaporated.

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Do rice noodles absorb broth? ›

If you plan on saving the cooked soup for leftovers, I'd recommend making it without the rice noodles to prevent them from becoming soggy or absorbing the broth.

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