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How to Make Turkey Soup from Scratch

Wondering how to make turkey soup from scratch using your Thanksgiving leftovers? Let me explain the simple process from start to finish.

Ingredients

  • Bones of 1 Leftover Turkey
  • About 12-14 cups of Water
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • 2 cups diced Carrots
  • 2 cups diced Onion
  • 2 cups diced Celery
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 8 ounces of sliced Mushrooms
  • any leftover Turkey Gravy
  • 3-4 cups of diced Turkey Meat
  • 1 can of Whole Kernel Corn
  • 1 cup Frozen Green Beans
  • 1 pound of Fresh Cheese Tortellini

Instructions

  1. The first step is to make the stock. Place the turkey bones in a large pot, along with 1 cup of the carrot, onion, celery, and red pepper flakes. Then fill the pot with the water. You want to cover all of the bones with water. 

  2. Bring to a simmer and let simmer for 3 hours, until the water becomes a light golden colored stock. Place a strainer in another large pot, and pour the stock and bones through the strainer.

  3. Then, using the pot you used for simmering the stock, melt the butter over medium heat. Then add the onions. Season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 3 minutes. Then add the mushrooms, and let simmer for 8 minutes. If you love garlic, this would be the time to add a few cloves.
  4. Add the celery and carrots, simmer for 1 minute. Then pour the stock into the pot and bring to a slow simmer. Once the stock is simmer, stir in any extra gravy that you have leftover.
  5. Add the turkey meat, corn, green beans, and any other vegetables you want to add. Let simmer slowly for 30 minutes. Then add the tortellini and cook until it floats. You can serve the soup right away, keep it in the fridge for a few days, or freeze it for later.