What to Do with Turkey Stock: 22 Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover Turkey Broth

After the feast, turn the leftover turkey carcass into a rich, flavorful broth using some simple vegetables and herbs. You’ll have about 2 quarts of homemade turkey broth, perfect for freezing or making soup.

Even if I’m a guest at Thanksgiving dinner, I secretly hope someone offers me the leftover carcass just so that I can make this broth. Yep, I’m that person toting the bones home. Not sad about it at all.

And why not when you can eke every last bit of flavor from the Thanksgiving bird? Turkey broth makes amazing soups, like leftover turkey noodle soup, but can also be used in place of chicken broth in all your favorite recipes.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe. Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Making your own turkey stock is one of the best ways to use up the leftover turkey carcass after Thanksgiving or Christmas. Simmering the bones transforms them into a nutrient-dense liquid gold that can be used in a variety of dishes.

But once you’ve made a batch of turkey stock. what do you do with it? Here are 22 delicious ways to use up turkey broth

Soups

Turkey Noodle Soup – Classic and comforting, this soup is perfect for using up turkey stock. Sauté carrots, celery and onions, then simmer with stock, turkey meat, noodles and herbs.
Turkey and Wild Rice Soup – Cook wild rice in the stock along with carrots, leeks and parsley. Add diced turkey and finish with a splash of lemon juice.
Creamy Turkey and Mushroom Soup – Purée sautéed mushrooms with stock, cream and thyme then stir in shredded turkey meat. Garnish with fresh chives.
Turkey Tortilla Soup – Turkey stock is the base for this Mexican favorite. Top with crunchy tortilla strips, avocado, queso fresco and cilantro.

Risottos

Turkey Risotto – Simmer Arborio rice in turkey stock flavored with white wine, parmesan, herbs and lemon zest. Fold in leftover diced turkey at the end.
Butternut Squash Risotto – Cook squash in the stock until tender. Add rice then finish with fried sage leaves and pecorino cheese.
Mushroom and Leek Risotto – Sauté mushrooms and leeks before adding rice and turkey stock. Finish with truffle oil or grated parmesan.

Grains

Turkey and Barley Stew – Hearty barley needs lots of flavorful liquid to cook. Turkey stock provides a savory base for this stew with squash and kale.
Turkey Congee – Asian rice porridge made with turkey stock and ginger is the ultimate comfort food when you’re under the weather. Top with scallions, chili oil and soy sauce.
Turkey and Quinoa Chili – Cook quinoa in spiced turkey stock along with beans, corn and peppers for a protein-packed chili.

Gravies and Sauces

Classic Turkey Gravy – Nothing beats homemade gravy made from pan drippings and stock. Simmer and strain for silky smoothness.
Turkey Pot Pie – Use stock to make the creamy sauce for this winter warmer, chock full of veggies and turkey.
Creamy Mushroom Sauce – Purée sautéed mushrooms with stock, cream and herbs for an easy sauce for chicken, pork or pasta.

Braises and Stews

Turkey Tagine – Braised turkey thighs in a rich sauce flavored with warm Moroccan spices like cumin, cinnamon, ginger and paprika. Ladle over couscous.
Turkey Posole – Simmer turkey and hominy in flavorful stock spiked with chili peppers and cumin. Garnish with radish, lime and cilantro.
Turkey and Chickpea Stew – Braise chickpeas in stock along with carrots, tomatoes, saffron and cayenne pepper. Shred leftover turkey and stir in at the end.

Casseroles

Turkey Tetrazzini – A classic casserole of turkey, mushrooms and spaghetti in a creamy turkey stock-based sauce topped with cheese.
Green Bean Turkey Casserole – For a lighter spin, skip the canned soup and make a sauce from scratch with stock, milk, flour and parmesan.
Turkey Enchilada Casserole – Smother corn tortillas layered with spiced turkey, beans, salsa and cheese with turkey stock.

Other Uses

Turkey Bone Broth – Simmer the carcass low and slow to extract all the nutrients into a mineral-rich broth. Sip on its own or use in place of stock.
Turkey Rice – Cook rice in stock instead of water for more flavor. Toss with leftover turkey, cranberries, pecans and scallions for an easy side.
Brussels Sprouts – Roasting veggies in turkey stock instead of oil boosts flavor. Toss halved sprouts in stock and roast at 400°F until caramelized.

With its deep, savory flavor, leftover turkey stock can transform any dish. From soups and risottos to braises and casseroles, put your homemade stock to delicious use with one of these creative recipes. Your taste buds will thank you.

what to do with turkey stock

Recipe tips and variations

Yield: This recipe makes about 8 cups (2 quarts) of turkey broth.
Storage: Store turkey broth in the refrigerator and use within 4 days.
Freezer: Divide the broth into freezer-safe containers (I like to use 16-ounce glass jars) and leave 1/2-inch head space for expansion. Label and date, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Turkey stock vs. broth: Technically, stock is made with just bones, while broth is made with bones and meat.

More delicious soups to try

Soup and Stew Recipes

what to do with turkey stock

Get The Most Out Of Your Turkey: How To Make Turkey Stock

FAQ

What is turkey broth good for?

When the bones, vegetables, and herbs cook down into an aromatic and satisfying broth, while the amino acids and nutrients concentrate into all that goodness, including: Collagen reduces gut inflammation, improves digestion, and helps regulate stomach acid production.

How long does turkey stock keep?

Storage: Store turkey broth in the refrigerator and use within 4 days. Freezer: Divide the broth into freezer-safe containers (I like to use 16-ounce glass jars) and leave 1/2-inch head space for expansion. Label and date, then freeze for up to 3 months.

What’s the difference between turkey broth and stock?

Is Broth Different from Stock? There is one major difference between broth and stock: Broth is made from meat and vegetables, but stock is made with bones. While both are flavorful, broth tends to be thinner. It’s cooked for less time, and it doesn’t contain stock’s thick, viscous texture.

What can I make with Turkey stock?

Making Turkey Stock is easy and a delicious base for homemade soups, sauces, stews and more. Making turkey stock is a great way to use all of a turkey. Lemony Turkey Stock is an easy recipe perfect as a base for homemade soups, sauces or braising.

How do you cook a Turkey in a stockpot?

(Check turkey often, since browning times can vary depending on the size and condition of the bones.) Meanwhile, in a large heavy-bottomed stockpot, heat 3 tablespoons (45ml) oil over high heat until shimmering. Add half of carrot, celery, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned in spots, about 6 minutes.

How do you season Turkey stock?

Make sure you season your turkey stock/broth with herbs (save your carrot tops from making Glazed Carrots ), fresh parsley, herbs, peppercorns and bay leaf. If you add too much water, it can water down the stock making it bland (in this case, once you strain it, simmer it to reduce and intensify flavor).

How do you make homemade Turkey stock?

Regardless of what method you choose, these are the ingredients that make the most delicious homemade turkey stock: Turkey carcass – use 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 lbs of the bones that fit into the pot after salvaging any leftover meat for Leftover Turkey in Gravy. Don’t worry if some meat remains.