A warm bowl of Turkey Soup is the ultimate comfort food when you have leftover Thanksgiving turkey. This homemade turkey soup recipe, or my Turkey Pot Pie recipe, is a delicious way to use turkey leftovers.
Made with homemade stock, hearty vegetables, and your favorite noodles or rice. You can customize this easy soup recipe to your taste and personal preference.
Curl up in your favorite cozy sweater, grab a spoon, and some freshly made bread. When it’s soup season, is anything more satisfying than a bowl of soup?
Turkey soup is a classic comfort food that can be found gracing many dinner tables after the holidays. While the base of turkey broth and veggies makes a nourishing soup, it can often end up bland and lacking robust flavor. Luckily there are many simple ways to add flavor to turkey soup to take it from dull to delicious.
As a food blogger who creates soup recipes I’ve made my fair share of turkey soup. Over the years I’ve discovered little tricks and techniques to make the soup packed with savory, bold flavors.
In this article, I’ll share my top tips for transforming basic turkey soup into a mouthwatering bowl bursting with flavor Whether you’re working with leftover turkey from a holiday meal or you want to showcase turkey in a hearty soup, these seasoning ideas will help make it shine.
Use Fresh Herbs and Spices
One of the easiest ways to add a punch of flavor to turkey soup is by using fresh or recently dried herbs and spices. They add layers of aroma and taste that enhance the savory profile of the soup.
Some herbs that pair exceptionally well with turkey are
- Basil – Its slightly sweet flavor brightens up the soup. Use 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried.
- Oregano – Adds an earthy, woodsy quality. 1-2 teaspoons fresh or 1 teaspoon dried does the trick.
- Thyme – A turkey soup staple. Its lemon-pepper flavor shines through. Use 1-2 teaspoons fresh or 3⁄4 – 1 teaspoon dried.
- Rosemary – Contributes an evergreen, pine-like aroma. Use 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried.
- Tarragon – Licorice-anise notes give great depth. Use 2 tablespoons chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried.
When using dried herbs, add them early in cooking so they have time to rehydrate and impart their essence. Fresh herbs can be added right at the end for a vibrant, just-picked taste.
In addition to herbs, spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, nutmeg, cumin and poultry seasoning blend can all enhance the flavor of turkey soup.
Sauté the Aromatic Vegetables
The classic soup vegetables – onion, celery, and carrots – are known as the Holy Trinity for good reason. Sautéing them before adding to the soup builds a rich base of flavor.
Onions lend a savory sweetness and become translucent and soft after cooking. Use 1 large onion diced.
Celery contributes herbal, grassy notes. 2-3 stalks chopped will do.
Carrots add a touch of earthy sweetness. Use 2-3 large carrots chopped.
Sauté the onions first until translucent. Then add the carrots and celery and cook until they begin to caramelize around the edges. Deglaze the pan with a bit of turkey stock before adding to the soup pot.
Double Down on the Aromatics
In addition to the Holy Trinity, bump up the aromatic content by including garlic, shallots, leeks and fresh greens like parsley or celery leaves.
- Garlic is a must for amplified savory flavor. Use 4 cloves minced.
- Shallots have a mild onion-garlic flavor. Use 3-4 shallots chopped.
- Leeks contribute sweet onion undertones. Use 2 leeks chopped.
- Celery leaves give an extra herbal lift. Use 1⁄4 cup chopped.
- Parsley brightens with fresh grassy notes. Use 1⁄4 cup chopped.
Simmer the Soup with Bones
Adding smoked turkey wings, necks or drumsticks to your soup pot extracts more flavor from the bones through long, slow simmering. The natural gelatin in the bones also gives the broth more body and richness.
Finish with Fresh Citrus
A final hit of acidity from fresh citrus adds vibrancy. Try squeezing in the juice of 1 lemon, lime, or orange at the very end. Or add a teaspoon or two of zest. Lemon and thyme is a particularly good combo.
Season Assertively
Don’t be shy with seasoning your turkey soup. Layering in savory flavor will make it shine.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
- Umami boosters like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or fish sauce (a few teaspoons) add meaty depth.
- A pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes gives a subtle heat.
- Poultry seasoning blend adds traditional turkey flavor. Use 1-2 teaspoons.
Simmer the Soup with Wine or Stock
Deglazing the soup pot with 1⁄2 cup of white wine or turkey stock while sautéing the aromatics will pull up browned bits from the bottom of the pan for concentrated flavor.
Toast the Spices
Blooming spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, or paprika in the oil before sautéing the aromatics toasts them for deeper, rounder flavor.
Finish with a Swirl of Cream
For a creamy element, swirl in 1⁄4 cup heavy cream or half and half just before serving. Alternatively, puree a cup or two of the soup and stir it back in for a creamy, velvety texture.
Garnish with Fresh Herbs
A final sprinkle of chopped parsley, cilantro, dill, or chives over each bowl makes for a vibrant finishing touch.
With these simple additions, it’s easy to take turkey soup from bland to brilliant this holiday season. Adjust the flavor layers to your taste preferences for a hearty, soul-warming bowl. Leftover turkey has never tasted so good!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I add more flavor to a basic turkey soup recipe?
There are many easy ways to add flavor to a basic turkey soup recipe. Try using fresh or dried herbs like thyme, sage, rosemary, and parsley. Sauté aromatics like onion, celery, carrots, and garlic. Season assertively with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Finish with a splash of lemon juice or wine.
What are good spices to use for turkey soup?
Some great spices for turkey soup include sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and poultry seasoning.
How do you make turkey soup taste homemade?
Simmer turkey soup with homemade turkey stock rather than broth or water for a rich, homemade flavor. Sauté aromatic veggies like onions, carrots, and celery. Use lots of fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Cook the soup with smoked turkey legs or wings for extra flavor.
Why is my turkey soup bland?
Turkey soup can turn out bland if the turkey stock lacks flavor. Be sure to season the turkey pieces well before making stock. Skim fat while making the stock. Add browned aromatics like onions, carrots, and celery. Use plenty of fresh herbs and seasonings like garlic, pepper, poultry seasoning. Add acidity with lemon or wine.
Should I use chicken or turkey stock for soup?
For the richest, most authentic turkey soup flavor, you should use homemade turkey stock rather than chicken stock. Turkey stock made from the bones and drippings of a roasted turkey will provide the classic turkey taste. Chicken stock can be used in a pinch but may result in a slightly more muted, less turkey-forward flavor.
With these handy tips for maximizing flavor, you’ll be able to transform basic turkey soup into a truly mouthwatering meal. Adjust the seasoning to your taste and enjoy a hearty bowl of homemade comfort this holiday season and beyond.
The Right Tools & Expert Recommendations
As with every recipe, having the right tools gives you the best chance for success. To make the best homemade soup, you’ll need:
A stockpot is a large, tall pot that gives you enough room to add in things like a turkey carcass or chicken bones, a significant amount of water, and whatever vegetables and seasonings you want to add.
My personal favorite goto cookware is All-Clad. I recommend purchasing an 8 to 10-quart stockpot. This size stockpot is versatile and a lifetime investment piece that usually comes with a steamer basket and pasta strainer insert. You will never need to buy another stockpot as long as you live.
How To Make Soup From Scratch
Leftover turkey soup involves making turkey stock from the leftover turkey carcass. If you’ve never done this, let me talk you through it.
Check out my ultimate guide to making stock, AKA bone broth.
