This leftover turkey soup is the best way to make the most of Thanksgiving leftovers. Made with a rich broth, tender turkey, fresh vegetables and noodles, it’s comforting and super easy to make!
Homemade turkey soup is a delicious and comforting meal, perfect for chilly weather But like any cooked food, it has a limited shelf life Knowing how long it will stay fresh and safe to eat is important to avoid food waste and potential foodborne illness. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about storing leftover homemade turkey soup.
An Overview on Turkey Soup Storage
When stored properly in the refrigerator, homemade turkey soup will last 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze turkey soup for 4-6 months. Here are some general turkey soup storage guidelines:
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Refrigeration Store cooked turkey soup in airtight containers and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. It will last 3-4 days.
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Freezing Turkey soup can be frozen for 4-6 months if stored in airtight containers or freezer bags Leave 1 inch of headspace before freezing
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Thawing: Thaw frozen turkey soup overnight in the refrigerator. Do not thaw at room temperature.
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Reheating: Only reheat thawed turkey soup once. Bring it to a boil before serving.
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Food Safety: Discard turkey soup if it smells, tastes or looks bad. Do not store soup in the pot it was cooked in.
Proper storage is key for maintaining the safety and quality of homemade turkey soup. Follow these fridge and freezer recommendations and you’ll be able to enjoy your soup worry-free!
Step-by-Step Guide to Storing Turkey Soup
Follow this simple step-by-step guide for storing your homemade turkey soup correctly:
1. Allow the Soup to Cool
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Don’t immediately place hot turkey soup in the refrigerator. Allow it to cool down to room temperature first, about 1-2 hours.
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Placing hot soup directly into the fridge can raise the temperature and potentially compromise other foods.
2. Transfer Soup to Shallow Containers
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For quick cooling, transfer soup to shallow containers instead of leaving it in the cooking pot.
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Large pots retain heat and won’t let the soup cool down quickly enough.
3. Refrigerate Promptly
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Refrigerate the turkey soup within 2 hours of cooking.
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Bacteria can multiply rapidly if left at room temperature for too long.
4. Use Airtight Containers
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Store soup in airtight containers, bowls or ziplock bags when refrigerating. This prevents moisture loss and keeps soup fresh.
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Make sure to label containers with dates for easier tracking.
5. Freeze for Long-Term
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For longer storage, freeze turkey soup in airtight containers leaving 1 inch headspace.
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Frozen turkey soup maintains optimal quality for 4-6 months at 0°F.
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Avoid repeated freezing and thawing cycles. Thaw only what you plan to eat.
Following proper cooling, refrigerating, freezing and reheating methods will help maximize the shelf life and safety of your homemade turkey soup.
Fridge Storage Timeline
Here is a timeline of how long turkey soup will last when stored in the refrigerator:
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0-2 hours: Turkey soup should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Do not leave soup at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
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2-3 days: Turkey soup stored in airtight containers in the fridge will stay fresh for 2-3 days.
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3-4 days: Maximum fridge storage timeline for turkey soup. Consume within 4 days for optimal quality and safety.
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1 week: Turkey soup may start to degrade in quality and taste stale after 1 week even when refrigerated. It’s best to freeze the leftovers at this point.
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2 weeks: Do not keep turkey soup in the fridge for longer than 1 week. Toss soup stored for over 2 weeks.
The exact refrigerator shelf life depends on the ingredients and storage conditions. For best quality, use turkey soup within 3-4 days. Discard any leftovers after 1 week in the fridge.
Freezer Storage Timeline
Here is how long you can freeze homemade turkey soup:
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1 month: Frozen turkey soup stays fresh and retains optimal quality for 1 month.
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3 months: The flavor, texture and quality of the soup will start declining slightly after 3 months of freezing.
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4-6 months: Maximum recommended freezer storage time. Turkey soup will still be safe to eat within this timeline.
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8-12 months: Turkey soup frozen for over 6 months is not recommended. It may lose quality but is still safe if the freezer maintained proper temperature.
For best taste and texture, use frozen turkey soup within 4-6 months. Store soup only as long as necessary and avoid prolonged freezing times.
Storage Containers for Turkey Soup
Picking the right containers is important for proper storage and food safety. Here are some ideal options for storing turkey soup:
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Glass containers: Glass jars, bowls or storage containers are great for fridge or freezer storage. Glass is non-porous and retains no odors or stains.
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Plastic containers: Use BPA-free plastic containers with tight sealing lids. Avoid containers that may leach chemicals.
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Stainless steel: Stainless steel containers maintain temperature well and are durable for freezing. Ensure they have airtight lids.
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Freezer bags: Resealable freezer bags are convenient for freezing turkey soup in portions. Choose thick, durable bags.
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Canning jars: For long-term freezer storage, mason jars are ideal for soup. Leave 1 inch headspace before sealing.
Avoid reactive materials like aluminum when storing turkey soup for extended periods. Always opt for food-grade, airtight containers that will maintain the safety and quality of the soup.
Thawing and Reheating Guidelines
Follow these tips when thawing and reheating previously frozen turkey soup:
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Thawing: Thaw frozen turkey soup overnight in the refrigerator. Do not thaw on the counter or in warm water.
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Microwave: Reheat thawed turkey soup in the microwave in short 1-minute bursts. Stir frequently to evenly distribute heat.
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Stovetop: For best results, reheat small batches of thawed turkey soup on the stovetop over medium heat while stirring regularly.
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Simmer: Bring soup to a boil when reheating on the stovetop then reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes before serving.
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Single Reheat: Avoid reheating any portion of turkey soup more than once. Only reheat what you plan to consume immediately.
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Scorching: Add a bit of liquid if the soup looks too thick to prevent scorching and sticking when reheating over heat.
Proper thawing and reheating are vital to keep turkey soup safe to eat and retain its flavor.
Food Safety Tips
Always adhere to food safety guidelines when storing soup:
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Refrigerate soup within 2 hours of cooking. Do not leave at room temperature for too long.
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Divide into small, shallow containers instead of large pots for quick cooling.
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Check for signs of spoilage before reheating – discard if moldy, slimy or has an off smell.
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Do not store soup in the pot it was cooked in. Transfer to a separate airtight container once cooled.
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Once thawed, consume turkey soup within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze thawed soup.
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When reheating, bring soup to a full boil for 3-5 minutes. This kills any bacteria.
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Do not eat reheated turkey soup that has been left at room temperature for over 2 hours.
Following proper food safety practices will keep your homemade turkey soup fresh and prevent foodborne illnesses.
Storage FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about storing turkey soup:
How long does turkey soup last in the fridge?
Homemade turkey soup will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored in airtight containers. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
Can you freeze turkey soup?
Yes, turkey soup can be frozen for 4-6 months if stored properly in airtight freezer bags or containers at 0°F. Leave 1-inch headspace before freezing.
How do you thaw frozen turkey soup?
Thaw frozen turkey soup overnight in the refrigerator. You can also thaw in the microwave using the defrost setting if needed right away.
Can you refreeze turkey soup after thawing?
It is not recommended to refreeze thawed turkey soup. Only thaw the portion you plan to eat within 3-4 days.
How many times can you reheat turkey soup?
Avoid reheating any portion of turkey soup more than once. Reheat only what you will consume immediately for food safety.
How do you store leftover turkey soup?
Allow turkey soup to cool within 2 hours after cooking. Transfer to shallow airtight containers and refrigerate. Use within 3-4 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
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Easy Leftover Turkey Soup
If you need a recipe to use up all that leftover roasted turkey or smoked turkey after Thanksgiving, definitely give this easy turkey soup a try!
If you love chicken noodle soup, you will love this leftover turkey soup, too. We love to add the noodles, but you can easily omit them or use rice, similar to this chicken and rice soup!
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy to make. Everything cooks in just one pot, making clean up super easy and quick. Done is less than 1 hour.
- Best use of leftovers. This turkey soup recipe is great to use leftover turkey meat from Thanksgiving. Use leftover vegetables from dishes such as crockpot stuffing, too.
- Comfort food. Like chicken pot pie soup, the savory flavor and hearty texture make this leftover turkey soup the ultimate comfort meal!
Made with a simple mix of veggies, noodles, seasonings and leftover turkey, this soup recipe is both hearty and comforting!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Turkey: Use leftover turkey that’s been cooked and shredded. Using both white and dark meat adds the best flavor.
- Veggies: Chopped celery, onions and carrots (mirepoix) are sauteed in butter to add the perfect aroma to the turkey soup.
- Noodles: Uncooked elbow noodles are my favorite to use, but egg noodles are great, too.
- Broth: You can use chicken broth or make your own homemade turkey stock which will make it even more rich and flavorful.
- Herbs and spices: A simple mix of fresh thyme or dried thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper is all that’s needed to flavor this leftover turkey soup.
- Veggies: Spinach, kale, peas, green beans, potatoes and corn.
- Protein: No leftover Thanksgiving turkey, no worries! Try shredded chicken or oven roasted chicken.
- Seasonings: Other spices that would taste delicious are parsley, sage, marjoram, rosemary, a bay leaf and poultry seasoning.
- Grains: Instead of noodles, add cooked white rice, brown rice or a wild rice blend.
- Creamy: Make a roux to add to this easy turkey soup recipe or just whisk some flour with some half and half and stir it in near the end. You could also add in 1/2 cup heavy cream.