My favorite way to use leftover turkey is to make a delicious pot of turkey noodle soup. It’s also an excellent way to clean out your refrigerator!
Don’t throw out the turkey bones after Thanksgiving! Making homemade turkey stock with bones is the secret to the best-tasting soup. I promise it’s easy! This Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup recipe is the perfect way to turn holiday leftovers into a satisfying meal. With a rich, flavorful broth, tender turkey, and a mix of vegetables and noodles, this soup is comfort in a bowl. For more of my favorite soup recipes that would be great with leftover turkey, try this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup, Turkey Pot Pie Soup, and Tortilla Soup.
As an avid home cook and soup lover, I’m always seeking ways to save time in the kitchen while reducing food waste One tip I’ve found helpful is batch cooking turkey noodle soup and freezing the leftovers into portions I can quickly reheat later But can you actually freeze turkey noodle soup without ruining the taste and texture?
In this article, I’ll share a complete guide to properly freezing and thawing turkey noodle soup based on my experience. You’ll learn tips to preserve the flavor, avoid watery soup, and reheat it into a tasty meal again after freezing.
An Overview on Freezing Turkey Noodle Soup
Turkey noodle soup is a hearty and comforting classic that can be enjoyed year-round It typically contains turkey meat, egg noodles, vegetables like carrots and celery, and broth. This wholesome soup makes excellent leftovers since the flavors meld and improve overnight in the fridge
Freezing turkey noodle soup in batches allows you to prepare ahead on days when you have more time to cook. Then you can defrost a container for quick dinners or lunches later in the week. Properly frozen soup can maintain quality in the freezer for 2-3 months.
With the right freezing and thawing techniques, turkey noodle soup can be frozen and taste nearly as fresh and flavorful after reheating. Follow the steps below for best results.
How to Freeze Turkey Noodle Soup in 4 Easy Steps
1. Start with Fresh Ingredients
Making the soup with fresh turkey, vegetables, broth and seasonings gives you the best final result after freezing. Avoid freezing soup made with older ingredients.
2. Cool the Soup Completely
Before freezing, cool the hot soup to room temperature, then refrigerate it uncovered until completely chilled. This prevents excess moisture from accumulating on the lid that could cause freezer burn.
3. Use Proper Containers
For easiest thawing and reheating, portion soup into freezer-safe containers or bags designed for soups. Leave 1-inch headspace to account for expansion during freezing.
4. Label and Freeze Promptly
Label each container with contents and freeze date before placing in freezer. Arrange containers in a single layer and freeze for at least 24 hours before stacking.
Thawing and Reheating Frozen Turkey Noodle Soup
Once your soup is frozen, thawing and reheating it properly ensures the texture and flavor will be preserved. Here are foolproof methods:
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Refrigerator Thawing: Thaw frozen soup overnight or up to 2 days in the refrigerator. This gradual thawing prevents damage from ice crystals.
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Microwave Thawing: Microwave individual portions on defrost or 50% power for 2-3 minutes. Check often and stir.
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Stovetop Reheating: Gently reheat thawed soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat until hot throughout, stirring occasionally.
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Microwave Reheating: Microwave single portions for 1-2 minutes on high until steaming hot. Stir before serving.
Allowing time for the soup to fully thaw before reheating is the key for best results. Avoid quick thawing at room temperature or reheating frozen soup, which can cause separating broth and mushy noodles.
Handy Tips for Freezing Turkey Noodle Soup
Follow these handy tips when preparing turkey noodle soup for the freezer:
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Prevent noodles from getting mushy by freezing broth and noodles separately, then combining upon reheating.
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Use freezer bags with a wide opening for easy portioning into single servings once thawed.
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Freeze broth in ice cube trays for adding to future recipes.
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Add cooked pasta right before serving instead of freezing it in the soup.
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Season the reheated soup with extra herbs and spices to boost the flavor.
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Stir diced cooked turkey into individual portions when reheating to keep it from shredding.
Ideal Freezer Storage Time for Turkey Noodle Soup
Properly stored turkey noodle soup maintains optimal quality frozen for these time periods:
- Freezer bags or airtight containers: 2-3 months
- Commercial freezer paper: 2 months
- Plastic freezer containers: 1 month
For best flavor and texture, use frozen soup within 2 months and don’t refreeze any thawed portions. Now you can always have this comforting classic ready to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Freezer Questions
If you’re new to freezing soup, you may have some common questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked queries about freezing turkey noodle soup:
Can you freeze turkey noodle soup with vegetables?
Yes, but vegetables like carrots and celery may become mushy. Blanch before adding or freeze broth and veggies separately.
What about freezing turkey noodle soup with noodles?
Freezing makes noodles mushy. Cook and freeze them separately from broth.
Is it okay to freeze turkey noodle soup with broth?
Yes, but broth may separate after thawing. Stir well before serving reheated soup.
How long does cooked turkey meat last in frozen soup?
Cooked turkey keeps 3-4 months in frozen soup. Use within this time for best flavor and texture.
Can you refreeze thawed turkey noodle soup?
No, don’t refreeze thawed soup. Refreezing causes more moisture loss and texture changes.
Satisfy Your Soup Cravings with Frozen Turkey Noodle
After reading this freezing guide, you can keep enjoying delicious homemade turkey noodle soup for months by preparing big batches and freezing the leftovers.
Using proper freezing, storage, thawing and reheating techniques allows you to lock in the flavor and texture that made the soup so tasty on day one.
Can you freeze turkey noodle soup?
Turkey noodle soup also freezes well, so if you have extra, freeze it in small containers for up to three months. You can either thaw it in the fridge overnight or microwave it straight from frozen.
Why This Turkey Noodle Soup Recipe Works
- Easy: This turkey soup with egg noodles and vegetables is so simple. You don’t even have to sauté the onions and garlic. Just throw everything in a pot and simmer.
- Healthy: This dish provides good fiber and protein with only 131 calories and fewer than 26 grams of carbs.
- Nourishing: This warm, comforting meal provides a variety of nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and K and potassium.
- Freezer Friendly: This recipe for turkey noodle soup is great for meal prep and freezing since leftovers reheat well.
- Homemade Turkey Stock: Make your own stock with leftover turkey from Thanksgiving.
- Herbs: Bay leaf, fresh parsley
- Vegetables: Carrot, onion, celery
- Garlic: Mince two garlic cloves.
- Salt and Black Pepper to season your soup
- Noodles: I used No Yolks egg noodles.
- Turkey: You’ll need two cups of leftover shredded turkey.