Put that leftover turkey to good use in this comforting, healthy Instant Pot Turkey Soup. Filled with fresh herbs and flavor!
Its just not Thanksgiving without a batch of Instant Pot turkey soup! Super easy to make, filled with fresh herbs and veggies and a fantastic way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers.
As much as I love a decadent Thanksgiving or Christmas feast, I willingly admit that I look forward to leftovers (hello, turkey noodle soup!) even more. Turkey (or chicken) corn chowder, scrumptious turkey cranberry wrap sandwich and snack-worthy baked mashed potato bites make for effortless meals in the days following the holiday.
This turkey noodle soup (Instant Pot and stovetop instructions included) is full of all of the flavors of Thanksgiving – think sage and thyme – and comes together with VERY little effort.
Fall is here and that means it’s officially soup season! There’s nothing more comforting on a chilly day than a warm, flavorful bowl of soup. And one of my personal favorites is turkey soup.
Turkey soup is hearty, protein-packed, and incredibly versatile. You can make it with leftover turkey after Thanksgiving or rotisserie chicken any time of year. The mild flavor of turkey also makes it perfect for creating your own signature flavor profiles.
The Instant Pot is my go-to for making quick and easy turkey soup The pressure cooking function helps infuse incredible flavor in a short amount of time, These soups come together in 30 minutes or less!
Below I’m sharing 9 of my all-time favorite Instant Pot turkey soup recipes to add to your fall recipe rotation. Let’s dive in!
1. Classic Instant Pot Turkey Soup
This classic version is simple but delicious. It’s loaded with carrots, celery, onions, and herbs for tons of flavor. I love using a mix of white and dark turkey meat along with the carcass for maximum richness. The rice bulks it up and soaks up all the tasty broth. This easy turkey soup is wholesome comfort food at its finest.
2. Southwest Turkey Soup
Take your turkey soup on a trip to the Southwest with this fun recipe. It’s made super flavorful with fire-roasted tomatoes, smoky chipotle peppers cumin and creamy avocado. The corn and black beans add texture and heartiness. Top it off with crispy tortilla strips, cheese, or sour cream for an extra tasty touch.
3. Italian Turkey Soup
Transport your tastebuds to Italy with this herb-infused turkey soup. It stars mini meatballs and pastina for the ultimate cozy texture. Fresh spinach adds nutrition along with parmesan for aSavory depth of flavor. A drizzle of olive oil and basil finish it off. This one is like a big comforting bowl of pasta Fagioli.
4. Thai Coconut Curry Turkey Soup
This Thai-inspired turkey soup is bursting with flavor. Coconut milk and red curry paste lend it a creamy, gently spicy broth. It’s loaded with veggies like carrots, peppers and bok choy. Fresh basil and lime juice heighten the flavors. For extra protein, stir in some edamame or tofu. The unique blend of Thai flavors makes this soup incredibly crave-worthy.
5. Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
This soup highlights the natural sweetness of wild rice blended with savory turkey. The wild rice adds lovely texture and fiber. Sauteed leeks lend a subtle oniony flavor. Dill and lemon zest finish it off with brightness. You’ll love the simple elegance of this nourishing soup.
6. Green Turkey Chili
Here’s a fun twist on classic chili by using ground turkey and tons of green chilies for a flavor punch. This hearty chili gets smoky flavor from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Diced zucchini adds nutrition without changing the texture. Topped with avocado, cheddar and cilantro, this chili is vibrant and delicious.
7. Turkey Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup is one of my all-time favorites, so I had to include a turkey version. This hearty soup is intensely flavored with sauteed onions, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, and oregano. Ladle it over tortilla strips then finish it off with avocado, lime juice and fresh cilantro. The turkey keeps it nice and light but still comforting.
8. Turkey and Sweet Potato Soup
This healthy soup stars protein-packed turkey along with sweet potatoes and kale. Sauteed onion and garlic add aromatic flavor. Crushed red pepper flakes give it some warmth. The sweet potatoes lend natural sweetness to balance the greens. It’s Simple but super hearty and nutritious.
9. Turkey Posole
Posole is a traditional Mexican soup usually made with pork and hominy. This version uses shredded turkey for a lighter take. It gets bold flavor from chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, and lime. Toppings like shredded cabbage, avocado and queso fresco make it even more amazing. This fun spin on posole is packed with texture and flavor.
Tips for Making Delicious Instant Pot Turkey Soup
Now that I’ve got you excited about all the possibilities for Instant Pot turkey soup, here are some tips for making it successfully at home:
-
Use a combination of white and dark turkey meat for the best flavor and texture. Mix in some skin and bones too if you have them.
-
Saute your aromatics like onion, garlic, celery, and carrots before pressure cooking to build a flavor base.
-
Add any sturdy greens like kale, spinach or bok choy at the end so they don’t overcook.
-
Finish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of citrus right before serving to brighten up the flavors.
-
Garnish with toppings like avocado, crispy tortilla strips, shredded cheese or Greek yogurt for extra richness.
-
Swap the turkey for rotisserie or leftover chicken if you don’t have any on hand.
-
Cook it on high pressure for 8-15 minutes depending on quantity of liquid. Use natural release for best results.
-
Spice it up with flavors from around the world! Mexican, Thai, Italian, Southwest – anything goes with turkey soup.
What you need for this Instant Pot Turkey Soup:
See recipe card below for full ingredients list & recipe directions.
These are the main ingredients needed for this recipe:
- Turkey: This recipe is ideal for using up leftover Thanksgiving turkey, but also works well with leftover or rotisserie chicken. I use a 50/50 mixture of light and dark meat.
- Noodles: Classic egg noodles are the traditional noodles for this type of soup, but feel free to swap out with other types of pasta. Fusilli (corkscrews), farfalle (bowties) and even elbow macaroni are all good options. Cook until the pasta is al dente.
- Broth: Homemade turkey broth is by far the preference for this recipe. Theres just something about the flavor of homemade turkey stock that just cant be replicated by store-bought chicken broth. That being said, this soup is still VERY good with chicken broth.
- Vegetables: Start off this soup with a standard mirepoix (onions, carrots and celery) plus garlic for great flavor.
- Herbs: I used a combination of fresh sage, thyme and rosemary because thats typically whats leftover in my fridge the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas. Dried thyme and rosemary would well if you dont have fresh, but I highly recommend sticking with fresh sage. Ive found it has significantly more flavor than store-bought dried sage.
- Other seasoning: Season with kosher salt and ground pepper. Be sure to taste the soup before serving and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
What’s to love about this turkey soup recipe:
▪️Use up leftovers: As much as I love a great turkey sandwich piled high with sausage stuffing, we all need a little variety. And there’s nothing better than a bowl of hot soup to warm you up! ▪️Tons of flavor! This soup is packed with fresh herbs, onions and garlic. ▪️Light & healthy: After a day or two of feasting, it’s time to stop the madness. This soup is low in calories and high in protein. Serve with a fall salad for an extra dose of veggies.
How to Make Turkey Soup in Instant Pot | BEST TURKEY SOUP RECIPE | Instant Pot Soup Recipes
FAQ
Can I use my Instant Pot as a soup pot?
Why does my turkey soup taste bland?
How long to simmer soup in Instant Pot?
How do you make turkey soup less bland?
How do you cook a Turkey Soup in an Instant Pot?
If serving the soup right away, you can cook them directly in the instant pot on the Sauté function after the soup is finished. Sauté onions in olive oil for 3 minutes until translucent. Add other vegetables, turkey and broth to instant pot. Set to High Pressure for 10 minutes. It will take an additional 10 minutes to build pressure.
How long to cook cooked turkey in Instant Pot?
If you are using leftover cooked turkey that isn’t frozen don’t add it yet. Put the lid on, lock it and put it on the Manual setting. Set the time for 5 minutes for white rice, 12 minutes for wild rice or 25 minutes for brown rice. When the Instant Pot is finished let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
How do you make soup in an Instant Pot?
Salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary – These spices flavor the soup. Saute – Turn the Instant Pot to Saute and add the olive oil. Add the onions to the Instant Pot and stir them, cooking them for about three minutes to soften. Then stir in the carrots, bell peppers and celery and saute them for another 2 minutes.
How do you cook a frozen turkey in an Instant Pot?
Add seasoning and rice – Add the thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper and rice to the Instant Pot and stir. Add uncooked or frozen turkey – If you are using uncooked turkey or cooked turkey that is frozen add the cubes of turkey at this time. If you are using leftover turkey that isn’t frozen don’t add it to the Instant Pot yet.