How to Make Delicious Turkey Soup with Rice

As the weather turns cooler, nothing is more comforting than a warm bowl of turkey soup loaded with veggies, rice and tender pieces of turkey This classic soup is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or any turkey dinner I love serving up big bowls of this hearty turkey rice soup on chilly nights when I want a meal that warms me from the inside out.

In this detailed guide, I’ll walk through how to make flavorful turkey soup with rice step-by-step. I’ve made this soup for years and have perfected my technique so you can enjoy bowls of soul-satisfying turkey soup for your family. Keep reading for my tips and tricks for making the best turkey and rice soup!

Step 1: Make a Rich Turkey Stock

A flavorful homemade turkey stock is the foundation of great turkey soup. For the most flavor, use the leftover turkey carcass and scraps to make the stock. Here’s how:

• Place the turkey carcass, neck, giblets, and any other turkey scraps in a large pot. Add chopped onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley or bay leaves.

• Cover with water by 2-3 inches. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours.

• Strain the stock through a sieve to remove the solids. Pick any remaining turkey meat off the bones and set aside.

Simmering the bones and veggies creates a rich, golden turkey broth that gives the soup incredible flavor. You can also use store-bought turkey or chicken broth, but homemade is much tastier.

Step 2: Cook the Soup Vegetables

Mirepoix, a mix of onions, celery and carrots, forms the flavor base for most soups.

• Dice 2 onions, 3-4 celery stalks and 3 large carrots.

• In a large soup pot, cook the mirepoix in olive oil or butter until the onions are translucent. This builds deep flavor.

• Add minced garlic and dried herbs like thyme, rosemary or sage and cook 1 minute more.

Step 3: Simmer the Soup

Now it’s time to bring the soup together:

• Pour in the homemade turkey stock and bring to a boil.

• Reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 20-30 minutes.

• Season generously with salt and pepper. Add any additional herbs or spices you like such as poultry seasoning or smoked paprika.

Allowing the vegetables to simmer until completely tender gives the soup incredible depth of flavor.

Step 4: Add Rice and Turkey

Once the soup base is cooked, mix in the rice and turkey:

• Add 2 cups cooked rice to the pot. Long grain white rice or wild rice work well. You can cook the rice separately or directly in the soup.

• Next, add about 2 cups cooked turkey meat, shredded or chopped into bite size pieces.

• Continue simmering until the rice and turkey are heated through, about 10 minutes.

Use leftover roasted or rotisserie turkey or cook turkey legs, thighs or breast specially for the soup.

Step 5: Finish and Serve Turkey Soup

A few finishing touches take the soup to the next level.

• Stir in a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

• Season to taste again with salt and pepper.

• Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil or sour cream for richness.

The bright, fresh garnishes contrast beautifully with the deeply savory turkey soup. Crusty bread is perfect for dunking and soaking up every last drop!

Tips for the Best Turkey Rice Soup

Follow these tips for incredible turkey soup every time:

• Simmer the stock for 1-2 hours to extract the most flavor from the turkey bones.
• Cook the vegetables until very soft – this boosts their sweetness.
• Use white and dark turkey meat for well-rounded flavor.
• Flavor boosters: poultry seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, sage, garlic
• Stir in lemon juice at the end for brightness.
• Garnish with parsley, olive oil or sour cream for fresh contrast.

Simple Variations

The basic turkey soup recipe can be adapted in endless ways:

• Use brown rice, barley or small pasta shapes like orzo instead of white rice.
• Add spinach, kale or beans for extra nutrition and fiber.
• Mix in vegetables like peas, corn, potatoes or butternut squash.
• Top with croutons or tortilla strips for crunch.
• Swap in chicken if you don’t have turkey.

Turkey Soup Ingredients

Turkey soup is flexible but here are the basic ingredients:

• 1 leftover turkey carcass and scraps
• 1 onion, diced
• 3-4 celery stalks, diced
• 3 large carrots, diced
• 8 cups turkey or chicken stock
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups diced cooked turkey
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, olive oil and crusty bread for serving

With these simple pantry ingredients you can whip up the perfect pot of comforting turkey rice soup. Adjust any vegetables or seasonings to your taste.

Tips for Using Leftover Turkey

Leftover turkey is a delicious bonus after holiday meals. Here are great ways to use up extra turkey besides soup:

• Turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing
• Turkey tetrazzini or casserole
• Turkey enchiladas or tacos
• Turkey salad with apples and celery
• Turkey pot pie with biscuit topping
• Turkey hash with potatoes and veggies

Get creative with leftovers! Turkey plays nicely in pasta dishes, sandwiches, salads, tacos and more.

Comforting Turkey Soup on Chilly Days

Nothing says cozy like a steaming bowl of homemade turkey soup. The secret is long-simmered stock made from the turkey bones that builds incredible rich flavor.

With tender turkey, rice and vegetables in a savory broth, this satisfying soup is the ultimate comfort food. Make a pot on a cold day or use up your Thanksgiving leftovers – either way, this turkey rice soup delivers on flavor.