Turn Thanksgiving Leftovers into Comfort: Creamy Turkey Stuffing Soup Recipe
Thanksgiving feasts are legendary, and often that means days of delicious leftovers. While turkey sandwiches and reheated mashed potatoes are delightful, why not transform those holiday staples into something truly special? Enter: Turkey Stuffing Soup. This creamy, comforting soup is the perfect way to repurpose your Thanksgiving bounty and create a warm, satisfying meal that will chase away the post-holiday blues.
This recipe is designed to be flexible and adaptable to what you have on hand. Use leftover roasted turkey, your favorite stuffing recipe (whether it’s cornbread based, sourdough based, or something entirely unique), and any leftover vegetables you might have. The beauty of this soup lies in its ability to highlight the flavors you already love from your Thanksgiving dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Stuffing Soup
* **Deliciously Comforting:** This soup is the epitome of comfort food. Warm, creamy, and packed with familiar Thanksgiving flavors, it’s perfect for a chilly day.
* **Perfect Leftover Makeover:** Transform your leftover turkey and stuffing into a brand-new, exciting dish.
* **Easy to Customize:** Adapt the recipe to your personal preferences and the leftovers you have available.
* **Quick to Make:** This soup comes together in under an hour, making it a great weeknight meal.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Using leftovers reduces food waste and saves you money.
Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Leftover Turkey:** Approximately 3-4 cups of shredded or diced cooked turkey. Dark meat or white meat both work well.
* **Leftover Stuffing:** About 4-6 cups, depending on the consistency and moisture content of your stuffing. Looser stuffing will require less liquid in the soup.
* **Aromatics:** 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter, 1 medium onion (chopped), 2 carrots (chopped), 2 celery stalks (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced).
* **Broth:** 6-8 cups of chicken or turkey broth (or a combination). Adjust the amount depending on your desired soup thickness.
* **Dairy (Optional):** 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (for extra creaminess), or a dairy-free alternative like cashew cream or coconut milk.
* **Herbs & Spices:** 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon dried sage, 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, salt and pepper to taste. Fresh herbs, like parsley or chives, for garnish.
* **Other Vegetables (Optional):** Leftover roasted vegetables, such as green beans, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes, can be added for extra flavor and nutrition.
* **Flour (Optional):** 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or a gluten-free alternative) for thickening the soup (if needed).
Step-by-Step Instructions
**Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics**
* Heat the olive oil or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
* Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
**Step 2: Create a Roux (Optional, for Thickening)**
* If you prefer a thicker soup, sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables.
* Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux. This helps to thicken the soup.
**Step 3: Add the Broth and Seasoning**
* Slowly pour in the chicken or turkey broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming, especially if you made a roux.
* Add the dried thyme, sage, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that your stuffing may already be seasoned, so taste before adding too much salt.
* Bring the soup to a simmer.
**Step 4: Incorporate the Leftover Turkey and Stuffing**
* Add the shredded or diced turkey to the soup.
* Add the leftover stuffing. If the stuffing is very dry, you may need to add a bit more broth to achieve your desired consistency.
* Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
**Step 5: Simmer and Blend (Optional)**
* Reduce the heat to low and simmer the soup for at least 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will become.
* If you prefer a smoother soup, you can use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. Be careful not to over-blend, as you still want some texture from the turkey and stuffing.
* Alternatively, you can carefully transfer batches of the soup to a regular blender and blend until smooth. Remember to vent the lid to prevent pressure from building up.
**Step 6: Add Dairy (Optional)**
* If you want a creamier soup, stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half during the last few minutes of simmering.
* For a dairy-free option, stir in cashew cream or coconut milk. Be sure to use full-fat coconut milk for the best results.
**Step 7: Adjust Seasoning and Serve**
* Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or herbs to taste.
* Garnish with fresh parsley or chives before serving.
Tips and Variations
* **Adjust the Consistency:** If the soup is too thick, add more broth. If it’s too thin, simmer it for a longer period of time to allow it to reduce, or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to thicken it.
* **Add Vegetables:** Feel free to add any leftover roasted vegetables, such as green beans, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, or carrots. You can also add fresh vegetables like spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking.
* **Spice It Up:** For a spicier soup, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** If you don’t have leftover turkey, you can substitute it with cooked chicken, sausage, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken or turkey broth.
* **Use Different Types of Stuffing:** This recipe works well with any type of stuffing, whether it’s cornbread based, sourdough based, or a combination of both.
* **Add Cranberry Sauce:** For a touch of sweetness and tartness, stir in a spoonful of leftover cranberry sauce.
* **Make it Ahead:** This soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will actually meld together and improve over time.
* **Freeze It:** Turkey Stuffing Soup can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags.
* **Add Noodles or Rice:** Turn this into a heartier meal by adding cooked noodles or rice to the soup during the last few minutes of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
* Serve the soup hot with a side of crusty bread or rolls for dipping.
* Garnish with fresh parsley, chives, or a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
* Pair it with a simple green salad for a complete meal.
* Serve it as a starter before a Thanksgiving-themed dinner party.
Equipment
* Large Pot or Dutch Oven
* Cutting Board
* Knife
* Immersion Blender (Optional)
* Blender (Optional)
Storage
* **Refrigerator:** Store leftover Turkey Stuffing Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Freezer:** Freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
* Calories: 350-450 per serving (depending on ingredients used)
* Protein: 25-35g
* Fat: 15-25g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*
Recipe Card
**Turkey Stuffing Soup**
A creamy and comforting soup perfect for using up Thanksgiving leftovers. Packed with flavor and easy to customize!
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30 minutes
**Total Time:** 45 minutes
**Servings:** 6-8
**Ingredients:**
* 3-4 cups shredded or diced cooked turkey
* 4-6 cups leftover stuffing
* 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 2 celery stalks, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 6-8 cups chicken or turkey broth
* 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
* 1 tsp dried thyme
* 1/2 tsp dried sage
* 1/4 tsp dried rosemary
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and sauté until softened.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. (Optional) Sprinkle 2 tbsp flour over the vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Slowly pour in broth, stirring to prevent lumps. Add thyme, sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a simmer. Add turkey and stuffing. Stir well.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
7. (Optional) Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup.
8. (Optional) Stir in heavy cream or half-and-half.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley or chives.
**Enjoy!**
This Turkey Stuffing Soup is a delicious and easy way to transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a comforting and satisfying meal. Enjoy the warm, flavorful taste of the holidays all over again!