You can use up any extra turkey by making this tasty turkey and rice soup in the slow cooker. It will be ready in about 3 hours and will warm you up.
There are many ways to use turkey besides the traditional turkey and mashed potatoes meal. This is true whether you have leftover turkey from a big family dinner or you just bought frozen turkey because it was on sale. There are so many ways to use leftover turkey in gluten-free recipes. While turkey sandwiches is the most common, gluten-free leftover turkey and rice soup is a great option!.
So simple to make! You probably already have most of the ingredients on hand, and if you run out of some of the seasonings called for, you can easily use other ones that you like instead. I love that you can make this leftover turkey soup in a slow cooker. After you prepare it, it cooks all day for you. You’ll be able to smell this cooking all day and enjoy for a cozy, warm dinner.
So many people love my gluten-free chicken noodle soup recipe, which you could also make with turkey too. But I know some people, like my husband, like rice more, so here’s a soup with rice instead! I use brown rice because it has more nutrients.
Warm Up with Hearty Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup
When the weather outside is cold and dreary, nothing satisfies quite like a steaming bowl of soup. This easy crockpot turkey and rice soup is the ultimate comfort food, packed with protein, veggies and hearty rice.
Make the most of Thanksgiving leftovers or roasted turkey from the deli with this simple dump and go recipe. Your slow cooker does all the work while you stay cozy indoors.
Read on for tips on how to make this rich and savory turkey rice soup, from prep to finishing touches. It’s affordable, healthy and so satisfying on a chilly day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 cups turkey or chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded
- 1/2 cup carrots, grated
- 1 tbsp dried minced onions
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1/2 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 bag egg noodles, 6 oz
- Salt and pepper to taste
Simple Slow Cooker Method
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Add broth, water, bouillon, turkey, carrots, onions and garlic to crockpot.
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Cook on high for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
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After 4 hours, stir in egg noodles and continue cooking 15-20 minutes until tender.
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Cook rice according to package directions while noodles soften.
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Add cooked rice to soup and stir well to incorporate.
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Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
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Serve piping hot in bowls with crusty bread.
Tips for Delicious Turkey Rice Soup
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For maximum flavor, use homemade or low-sodium broth.
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Shred the turkey into bite-size pieces for easy eating.
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Chop the onions and carrots small so they soften completely.
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Add any other veggies you want like celery, corn or peas.
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Cook the rice while the noodles simmer so it’s ready on time.
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Garnish bowls with parsley or green onions for a pop of color.
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Add a squirt of lemon juice right before serving for brightness.
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Sprinkle each bowl with shredded cheese for a creamy texture.
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Drizzle with hot sauce or stir in red pepper flakes for some heat.
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Serve with crusty bread or crackers for scooping up the tasty broth.
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Freeze leftovers in individual portions for quick meals later.
Making this Soup with Thanksgiving Leftovers
This soup is the perfect way to use up leftover roasted turkey from a holiday feast. Just shred or chop the seasoned meat and substitute it right in.
Having pre-cooked turkey makes this soup even easier. Just skip step 1 and add the broth, veggies and seasonings.
Then turn on the slow cooker, let it simmer and add the turkey toward the end when the veggies are tender. Simple and delicious!
More Info on Slow Cooker Turkey Rice Soup:
Serving Size: Makes 6-8 servings
Cooking Time: 4-5 hours on High
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. Freeze for longer storage.
Reheating: Simmer on stovetop or microwave until hot.
Ingredients to Avoid: Pre-chopped “stir-fry veggies” which turn mushy.
Substitutions: Swap chicken for the turkey. Use all broth if no water.
Nutrition Info: 334 calories, 29g protein per 1 cup serving.
What to Serve with Turkey Rice Soup
For a complete and hearty meal, serve this protein-packed soup with:
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Dinner rolls or crusty bread
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A crisp green salad with vinaigrette
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Warm cornbread muffins or biscuits
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A bowl of rustic fruit like grapes and apples
Get Creative with Leftover Turkey
Along with soup, here are more delicious ways to use up leftover holiday turkey:
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Turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing
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Turkey casserole with veggies and gravy
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Turkey tetrazzini with spaghetti, mushrooms and parmesan
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Turkey enchiladas with green salsa and melty cheese
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Turkey shepherd’s pie topped with creamy mashed potatoes
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Turkey pot pie packed with carrots, peas and flaky crust
Warm Up with Turkey Rice Soup
When you’re looking for comfort food that’s affordable, healthy and easy, this crockpot turkey and rice soup really delivers. The slow cooker lets the flavors meld while you relax.
Keep a batch in the freezer so you’re never without this hearty soup. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl!
One taste and this nourishing soup will become your new favorite way to put Thanksgiving leftovers or roasted deli turkey to delicious use.
Notes on ingredients for gluten-free turkey and rice soup in crockpot:
- Turkey: If you don’t have any cooked turkey left over or don’t want to cook a whole turkey, you can buy a turkey breast and cook it up for this recipe. I cook mine in the crockpot with chicken broth, and it’s great for serving in salads and soups.
- Brown Rice: I like brown rice because it has more nutrients, but you can use white rice instead if you’d like. This gluten-free short grain brown rice is my favorite kind of brown rice.
- Carrots: You can buy baby carrots that have already been peeled and cut them up if you really want to save time.
- Garlic: I like to use fresh garlic when I can find it, but you can also use chopped garlic in a jar that is in water (not oil). I have liked this brand that I get at Costco. I would use about two to three teaspoons of it in this soup. You can add more if you like a stronger garlic taste.
- For flavor, this recipe calls for dried oregano, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and a fresh bay leaf. If you don’t like any of those herbs, feel free to leave them out or substitute another one you like.
- Should you buy chicken broth or stock? Always check the label to make sure it doesn’t have gluten in it. No need to worry—many brands of broth in your local grocery store are clearly marked as gluten-free. I like Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Broth, but Kettle If you’re in a hurry, you can use gluten-free bouillon like Herb-Ox chicken bouillon to make your own broth.
You can also make your own turkey stock with the carcass of your turkey and some spices. Just measure out 6 cups of your homemade stock for this recipe.
TIP: There is a fair amount of chopping vegetables and herbs for this recipe. I thought I would share my favorite knife for chopping veggies and herbs: this Cutco knife. They call it a cheese knife, but it works amazingly for chopping veggies and herbs, and I don’t have to worry about stabbing myself with a sharp point either. It’s the knife I reach for the most. If you’ve never invested in Cutco knives, this would be the knife I would recommend you start your collection with, along with their amazing steak knives, but I digress.
There isn’t any dairy in this gluten-free dairy-free turkey and rice soup!
How to Make Crock Pot Turkey and Rice Soup:
- Brown rice, oregano, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and garlic should all be put in the slow cooker.
- Pour 6 cups chicken broth over all, then stir. Place crock pot lid on.
- Cook on high heat for 2 and a half hours.
- Put in the turkey and peas. If you don’t like peas, you can leave them out. Stir in. Put the lid back on and cook for another hour on high.
It will smell so good when it’s done! It should be in the slow cooker for three and a half hours, but four hours is fine too! If you leave it in longer, the vegetables will get softer. Just put the turkey and peas in and set a timer for an hour. If you need to be away, it will switch to the warm setting.
Here’s a look at the finished soup in the slow cooker, ready to serve.
You can garnish with fresh parsley before or after dishing into bowls.
What should you eat with this simple turkey and rice soup? If you have time, you could make some gluten-free buttermilk biscuits at home. They’re so good with butter and honey or even garlic butter.
And if you don’t have time for homemade, I highly recommend a box of gluten-free Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuit mix. I have to restrain myself from eating half the batch when I make them! They’re so good!
You could quickly make a pan of the best gluten-free cornbread ever while this soup is cooking. It’s easy, it’s sweet, and it would go great with this hearty soup!
I hope you can make and enjoy this soup soon!
If you make this gluten-free soup and love it, please rate this turkey rice soup crock pot recipe 5 stars in the recipe card! Feel free to leave a comment with tips or about any changes you made that worked well.
TURKEY & RICE SOUP :: SLOW COOKER RECIPE :: COOK WITH ME
FAQ
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