• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Spring Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Sweets
  • About
  • How To's

Where Is My Spoon

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Sweets
  • About
  • How To's
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Sweets
    • About
    • How To's
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ร—
    Where Is My Spoon > Recipes > Soups and Stews

    Cream of Turkey Soup

    Published by: Adina December 4, 2019 ยท Last modified: October 29, 2023 1 Comment
    Jump to Recipe
    cream of turkey soup in two bowls with red peppercorns

    Enjoy our cream of turkey soup, made from leftover turkey. This hearty dish combines tender meat in a creamy, flavorful broth, perfect for warming up on a cold day.

    one small brown bowl with cream of turkey soup made with leftover turkey and sprinkled with red peppercorns.

    What to do with the turkey leftovers? Make this fantastic cream of turkey soup with potatoes and lots of vegetables. It is a comforting and super delicious soup, a great way to use holiday turkey leftovers.

    Whether it's after Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas, there are often turkey leftovers. Even if I roast just one turkey leg in the oven or a big piece of slow-cooked turkey breast, I still end up with extras.

    I love those Thanksgiving leftovers. In fact, I plan to use them even before I cook the main turkey meal. I can turn them into a leftover turkey lasagna, whip up another leftover turkey pasta dish, or make my kids' favorite: this creamy turkey soup recipe.

    Creamy soups are a win-win. They're not only delicious but also a quick and healthy way to use up leftovers. It's not just turkey; I often find veggies past their prime in my fridge. I toss them in a pot with some vegetable broth (and maybe a bit of dairy) and make a hearty soup.

    Jump to recipe
    • What does the cream of turkey soup taste like?
    • Recipe ingredients
    • โ€‹Homemade turkey stock
    • How to make cream of turkey soup?ย 
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • What to serve with it?
    • What else can I cook with leftover turkey meat?
    • Recipe
    • Cream of Turkey Soup

    What does the cream of turkey soup taste like?

    According to my son, this creamy turkey soup is like turkey fricassee, but in soup form - and without the mushrooms (he insists on that). I have to agree with him! If you're a fan of fricassee, you should definitely give this soup a try. You're going to love it!

    Recipe ingredients

    collage of two pictures of ingredients for making leftover turkey cream soup.
    • Stock: The key to a great soup lies in a good stock โ€“ the soup can only be as good as the stock it's made with. The best stock is the one you make at home. If you have leftover turkey, chances are you have some turkey bones, too. Use them for homemade turkey broth. Making stock is remarkably easy; it just requires time, with not much effort involved.
    • Turkey leftovers: Take roughly two handfuls of shredded turkey meat, approximately 3.5 to 12.5 oz/ 150-350 g, depending on what you have and how much you'd like to use. You don't need to stress about exact measurements in this case. You can use either white or dark meat.
    • Vegetables: Onion, one small carrot, leeks (3.5 ounces/ 150 g), using only the white parts.
      • 2-3 celery stalks (adjust quantity based on size) or a small piece of celeriac (about 2 oz/ 60 g). Celeriac is a slightly better choice if you want this creamy turkey soup to maintain a pale color, but it's not mandatory.
      • 2 potatoes (roughly 9 oz/ 250 g).
    • Dairy: Butter (salted or unsalted, but adjust the salt accordingly), whole milk, and heavy cream. 
    • Spices and herbs: Bay leaves, dried rosemary and thyme, fresh parsley, nutmeg, fine sea salt, and ground pepper (white or black pepper).
    • The red peppercorns you can see in the pictures are optional and more for decoration purposes; they make the soup look really festive.  

    โ€‹Homemade turkey stock

    • Ingredients: Simply place turkey carcass or bones in a large pot with a halved onion, 2-3 carrots, some celery stalks (or one piece of celeriac), black peppercorns, salt, bay leaves, and optional spices like cloves (about 3-4), juniper berries (about 6-7), and allspice berries (about 3-4) if available. 
    • Method: Cover everything with COLD water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer gently for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 for turkey bone broth.
    • Strain well to remove bones, veggies, and spices. For a crystal-clear broth, strain again through a fine sieve lined with a clean cloth. 
    • Storage: You can use it immediately, refrigerate it (up to 4 days), or freeze it in portions (for months).

    How to make cream of turkey soup? 

    chopped leeks, potatoes, carrots, onion and celeriac on a large white plate.

    Step 1: Chop the vegetables.

    sauteing vegetables in a a soup pot.

    Step 2: Melt butter and sautรฉ vegetables until softer in a large pot or Dutch oven.

    add milk and stock to vegetables to make soup.

    Step 3: Add herbs, stock, and milk. Simmer softly for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. 

    shredde turkey on top of soup.

    Step 4: Blend the soup. Add shredded turkey and reheat. Adjust the taste.

    Step 5: Add whisked heavy cream and the egg yolk. Donโ€™t bring the soup to a boil anymore.

    Expert Tips

    • Stock: To achieve the best flavor, ensure you use high-quality stock, either homemade turkey or chicken stock or a flavorful store-bought brand. 
    • Color: For a velvety and pale turkey cream soup, use only the green parts of the leek and celeriac instead of celery stalks. Also, use white pepper.
    • Overheating: Remember to remove the soup from the heat when adding the heavy cream and egg yolk mixture. To maintain its desired texture and consistency, do not allow the soup to cook any further after this addition.
    • Immersion blender: Itโ€™s preferable to use an immersion blender for soups and other hot liquids.
    • When using a food processor, you must follow some safety steps. Allow the soup to cool slightly, and blend it in batches. Hold a thick, folded kitchen towel over the top of the machine. Start blending, gradually increasing the speed. Repeat with additional batches. You can blend only the vegetables in the soup or the chunks of turkey as well.ย 
    two bowls of creamy soup with leftover turkey and spoons on a wooden board.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I use store-bought stock for the turkey soup?

    Certainly, using store-bought stock is a convenient option. If you prefer not to make your stock, high-quality chicken stock is an excellent substitute. While ready-to-use turkey stock may be less common, chicken stock works perfectly as an alternative.

    Can I make the soup with chicken?

    Sure. Use chicken leftovers or rotisserie chicken and chicken broth.ย 

    How to store and reheat cream of turkey soup?

    Storage:ย Allow the creamy leftover turkey soup to cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing.
    Refrigerateย the turkey cream soup in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
    Freezeย leftover soup in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. Defrost in the fridge.
    Reheatย on the stovetop: Pour the cream of turkey soup into a saucepan and gently warm it over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until it's heated through.
    Reheat in the microwave:ย Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap (leave a small vent), and reheat in short intervals, stirring between each, until it's hot.

    What to serve with it?

    Cream of turkey soup pairs well with a variety of side dishes, depending on your preferences and the occasion. Here are some suggestions:

    • Crusty bread or dinner rolls: A warm garlic bread baguette, a crusty loaf of yogurt soda bread, or soft yeast rolls are perfect for dunking into the creamy soup.
    • Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the soupโ€™s richness. A Caesar salad or a side of mixed greens works well.
    • Vegetable sides: Steamed or roasted vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, or green beans.
    • Homemade biscuits with cheddar cheese and fresh herbs make for a delightful accompaniment.
    • Crumbled crispy bacon bits sprinkled on top add extra flavor and texture.
    • Grilled cheese sandwich or other sandwiches.
    • Herbed white rice, a wild rice blend, brown rice, or quinoa: A serving of herbed rice or quinoa can be a hearty and nutritious accompaniment.
    two bowls with turkey cream soup on a wooden board with two spoons, bowl of salt and rosemary sprigs.

    What else can I cook with leftover turkey meat?

    • collage of four pictures with title of leftover turkey recipes.
      Our Favorite Leftover Turkey Recipes
    • leftover turkey risotto sprinkled with parmesan and parsley on a plate.
      Leftover Turkey Risotto
    • close of turkey pot pie with puff pastry showing the creamy filling.
      Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
    • turkey lentil soup with rice and vegetables in a white bowl on the table
      Hearty Turkey Lentil Soup

    Do you like this recipe?

    Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Donโ€™t forget to tag #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!

    Recipe

    cream of turkey soup garnished with red peppercorns in a small brown bowl.

    Cream of Turkey Soup

    Enjoy our cream of turkey soup, made from leftover turkey. This hearty dish combines tender turkey in a creamy, flavorful broth, perfect for warming up on cold days.
    4.44 from 23 votes
    Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 414kcal
    Author: Adina

    Equipment

    • soup pot
    • Immersion blender Note 1
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients 

    • 1 medium onion
    • 1 thick leek only the white part, 3.5 oz/ 150 g
    • 1 piece celeriac or 3-4 celery sticks, 2 oz/ 60 g, Note 2
    • 1 small carrot
    • 2 potatoes about 9 oz/ 250 g
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 2 bay leaves
    • ยฝ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ยผ teaspoon dried rosemary
    • 3 ยผ cups chicken or turkey stock, 750 ml
    • 1 cup whole milk 250 ml
    • 2 cups turkey meat shredded, about 9 oz/ 250 g, Note 3
    • โ…“ cup heavy cream 75 ml
    • 1 egg yolk
    • a few gratings of nutmeg
    • fine sea salt and ground white pepper
    • 1-2 tablespoons parsley chopped
    • red peppercorns optional

    Instructions

    • Chop vegetables: Chop the onion. Halve the leek white lengthwise and slice the halves thinly. Chop the celery/celeriac, carrot, and potatoes into small cubes.
    • Sautรฉ: Melt butter in the pot. Add vegetables and cook for about 5 minutes, adding a splash of water halfway through. Stir often. The vegetables should become softer but not take any color.
    • Simmer: Add bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, stock and milk. Cover with a lid, leaving a crack open, bring to a boil, and simmer softly for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
    • Blend the soup (Note 4). Return to the stove and add the shredded turkey. Simmer until the turkey meat is heated through, about 5 minutes.
    • Adjust the taste with nutmeg, salt, and white pepper.
    • Thicken the soup: In the meantime, whisk heavy cream and egg yolk in a small bowl. Whisk this mixture into the soup. Don't let the soup come to a boil anymore.
    • Adjust: Remove from heat, adjust the taste again, and stir in the parsley. Sprinkle with a few red peppercorns if desired. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    1. Immersion blender: Itโ€™s preferable to use an immersion blender for soups and other hot liquids. When using a food processor, you must follow some safety steps. Allow the soup to cool slightly, and blend it in batches. Hold a thick, folded kitchen towel over the top of the machine. Start blending, gradually increasing the speed. Repeat with additional batches.
    2. Using celeriac and only the white part of the leek keeps the soup pale.ย 
    3. Turkey: Between 3.5 and 12.5 oz/150-350 g is fine; use as much as you have. White or dark meat are both great.
    4. You can blend the soup before or after adding the turkey. Personally, I prefer to leave the turkey pieces as they are.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/4 of the soup | Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 154mg | Sodium: 955mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!

    More Easy Soup & Hearty Stew Recipes

    • chicken goulash served with mashed potatoes in a bowl.
      Chicken Goulashย 
    • thick butterbean and chorizo stew topped with fresh thyme in a bowl.
      Butterbean and Chorizo Stew
    • paprika chicken soup sprinkled with parsley in a bowl.
      Paprika Chicken Soup
    • red lentil bacon soup in a bowl with a spoon in it.
      Red Lentil Bacon Soup

    Sharing is caring!

    548 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Reddit
    • X

    web banner representing all the websites logos that featured our food blog.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. angiesrecipes says

      December 04, 2019 at 4:51 pm

      A great use of leftover turkey! If my husband only ate soups and turkey :-(( Any cooked veggies are a no-go for him...but I would love to have some!

      Reply
    4.44 from 23 votes (23 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! Where Is My Spoon is a blog where you will find delicious and family friendly recipes, all made from scratch. From simple healthy soups to sumptuous cakes for special occasions, all our recipes have been tried and loved by our family and our friends.

    More about me โ†’

    Potluck Recipes

    • bowl with potato salad with dill pickles sprinkled with chives.
      Potato Salad with Dill Pickles
    • napa cabage ramen salad in a gray bowl with sunflower seeds around it.
      Napa Cabbage Ramen Salad
    • feta and spinach triangles close up on a plate.
      Feta and Spinach Triangles
    • cherry loaf cake sliced on a vintage cloth with a knife and fresh fruit around it.
      Fresh Cherry Loaf Cake

    Popular Recipes

    • air fryer frozen chicken breast after cooking, one whole and one sliced piece.
      Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
    • juicy, golden brown brats cooked on the stove in a skillet.
      How to Cook Brats on the Stove
    • lifting one piece of baked chicken breast with a spoon.
      How to Bake Frozen Chicken Breast
    • stapled sliced pork belly slices sprinkled with parsley, pool of fat in the back.
      How to Cook Pork Belly Strips

    Footer

    โ†‘ back to top

    Info

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Contact

    If you have any questions or want to work with me, please email me @ contact@whereismyspoon.co

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright ยฉ 2025 - Where Is My Spoon. All rights reserved.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.