On a cold day, nothing tastes better than this simple and tasty Turkey Noodle Soup. It’s also very filling and full of good things for you. Nothing will taste better than this soup in the days after Thanksgiving.
This turkey noodle soup recipe is a classic and delicious treat. It has all the same great flavors as chicken noodle soup, but with a holiday twist. Some people think leftovers and meals made from leftovers are a gift from God. This easy turkey noodle soup is one of those meals.
I love how easy and quick this turkey noodle soup is to make. You can have a delicious meal in 30 minutes! You can also change the veggies and protein in this soup to use what you have in the fridge.
A hearty bowl of turkey noodle soup loaded with vegetables and pasta is the ultimate comfort food. And making a big batch is great for having leftovers on hand. But can you freeze turkey noodle soup to enjoy later? The answer is yes! With proper freezing and storage methods, you can keep turkey noodle soup fresh for months.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about successfully freezing and reheating turkey noodle soup. Follow these tips and enjoy delicious soup even after the holidays are over!
Should You Freeze Turkey Noodle Soup?
Freezing is an excellent way to preserve leftovers and avoid food waste. Turkey noodle soup freezes very well when done properly. The ingredients used like cooked turkey broth, vegetables and pasta, all hold up fine through freezing and thawing.
Freezing turkey soup into individual or family-sized portions allows you to pull out just what you need. It saves time compared to making a new pot each time. Overall, freezing is ideal for keeping turkey noodle soup on hand.
How to Freeze Turkey Noodle Soup
Follow these steps for safely freezing turkey noodle soup:
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Let soup cool completely, then portion into freezable containers, leaving 1-inch headspace.
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Use freezer-safe containers like plastic freezer bins or zip top bags. Glass jars may crack.
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Label bags or containers with contents and freeze-by date (3 months from freezing date).
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Freeze soup immediately at 0°F or colder to maintain quality
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Avoid letting soup sit at room temperature before freezing.
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Once frozen solid, you can consolidate containers to save freezer space.
Properly freezing in suitable containers prevents freezer burn. Portioning gives flexibility for thawing and reheating. Labelling ensures you use oldest batches first.
How Long Does Frozen Turkey Soup Last?
Frozen and properly stored, turkey noodle soup lasts for 3-4 months in the freezer before quality declines. Eat within this timeframe for best flavor and texture.
Signs frozen soup may be past its prime include dried out appearance, freezer burn, or changes in color/odor when thawed. If in doubt, play it safe and discard older frozen soup.
Thawing Frozen Turkey Noodle Soup
Always thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Do not thaw soup at room temperature or in hot water.
Microwaving frozen soup directly from frozen state is okay, as long as you heat it thoroughly until steaming hot. Stir occasionally during microwave thawing.
For faster thawing, you can place sealed soup bags or containers in a bowl of cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. This helps thaw soup evenly in 1-2 hours.
Reheating and Serving Previously Frozen Soup
To revive frozen turkey noodle soup, reheat gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Bring to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
You can add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to restore creaminess. Fresh chopped herbs right before serving also boosts flavor.
Avoid boiling thawed soup for too long, as this can make noodles mushy. Once reheated fully, serve immediately and enjoy a tasty thawed soup.
Storage Tips for Leftover Thawed Turkey Soup
After reheating thawed turkey noodle soup, follow these storage guidelines:
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Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of serving.
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Use leftover soup within 3-4 days for best quality and food safety.
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Only reheat leftover thawed soup once; don’t refreeze.
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When reheating, bring to 165°F internal temperature again.
Proper refrigeration and careful reheating prevents leftovers from spoiling before you can enjoy them. Never refreeze soup once thawed.
Adaptations for Freezing Turkey Noodle Soup
Some adaptations when freezing turkey noodle soup help maintain quality:
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Undercook noodles slightly before freezing to avoid mushiness.
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Add dairy ingredients like milk, cream or cheese after reheating.
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Leave out raw vegetables and add them when reheating instead.
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Use freezer-safe herbs or leave them out of soup to be added later.
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Prevent watering down by freezing broth separately from soup solids.
With small adjustments, you can freeze and enjoy delicious turkey noodle soup all season long.
Enjoy Endless Leftover Turkey Soup
Freezing is the perfect way to avoid wasting turkey noodle soup and enjoy it anytime. Follow the guidelines for safe freezing, thawing and storage. With proper handling, frozen turkey soup stays appetizing for months, saving you money and time in the kitchen. So brew up a big pot of hearty soup and freeze the leftovers to savor throughout the winter!
How Long Does Turkey Noodle Soup Keep?
It should last up to 5 days in the fridge if you store it in a container that doesn’t let air in.
Ingredients Needed for Turkey Noodle Soup
- Olive Oil: Use this for sautéing your veggies. If you want to, you can use a different kind of oil or fat. It won’t change the taste much.
- This is what I always think of when I hear the word “noodle soup”: onions, celery, and carrots. But not everyone likes those, and you might not always have them in your fridge. You can swap these out for any other vegetables you have on hand that you love.
- Garlic: I like things that are easy, and did you know that you can buy garlic already minced? If you can’t find it, make small cracks in the garlic with the flat side of your knife. It makes the skin peel off so much more easily.
- Chicken Broth: Chicken broth or turkey broth. You can use either one, but chicken broth is usually easier to find. This turkey bone broth recipe can be made at home with a turkey carcass that you have saved.
- For this recipe, you’ll need dried herbs, but you can use fresh herbs instead if you have them on hand. But don’t forget to change the amount because fresh herbs need more and dried herbs need less.
- Salt and Pepper: Table salt, sea salt, Himalayan salt. There are a lot more kinds of salt now than there were when I was a kid. There is no right or wrong way to use it. If the turkey has already been brined, don’t add the salt. There will be too much.
- Turkey: I always make more turkey than I need for Thanksgiving. You know it’s better to have more than less, right? If that’s the case, this turkey noodle soup has everything you need. Chopped or shredded is best.
- Egg noodles: I like wide egg noodles best in this recipe, but you can use any noodles you have on hand or what you like. I love the flexibility of this recipe. If you want to make this gluten-free, you could even use rice instead of the noodles.
Pro Tips:
- You can make this soup with chicken instead of turkey if you have chicken left over.
- Some people prefer more or less liquid in their soups. You can adjust the amount of broth to your taste, but make sure it’s enough to cook the noodles, since they will soak up a lot of liquid.
- If the broth has a lot of salt in it, make sure you taste it before you add any salt.
Turkey Noodle Soup Freeze Dried Ep274
FAQ
Does turkey soup freeze well?
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