This quick and delicious leftover turkey soup is an easy, budget-friendly recipe using all Thanksgiving leftovers. Packed with veggies, turkey, and rice, this soup is true comfort food in under 30 minutes. Use the whole carcass for additional flavor, or not. Either way, you will love this warm and savory soup.
Making homemade turkey soup is a great way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays But like any cooked food, turkey soup has a limited shelf life. Knowing how long it will stay fresh and safe to eat is important to avoid food waste and potential foodborne illness.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about properly storing leftover homemade turkey soup in the refrigerator or freezer.
Overview of Turkey Soup Storage
When stored correctly homemade turkey soup will typically last
- Refrigerator: 3-4 days
- Freezer: 4-6 months
Here is a quick overview of proper turkey soup storage guidelines:
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Store in airtight containers.
- Freeze in airtight containers with 1 inch headspace.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Do not thaw at room temperature.
- Reheat only once. Bring to a boil before serving.
- Discard if smells, tastes or looks bad. Do not store in cooking pot.
Following proper storage methods is essential for maintaining safety and maximizing shelf life.
Step-by-Step Guide to Storing Turkey Soup
Follow these steps for safe storage
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Allow the soup to cool – Don’t place hot soup directly in the fridge. Let it cool to room temperature first.
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Transfer to shallow containers – Shallow containers speed up cooling compared to large pots.
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Refrigerate within 2 hours – Get the soup in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
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Use airtight containers – Store soup in airtight containers, bowls or bags in the fridge. Prevent moisture loss.
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Freeze for long-term storage – For longer shelf life, freeze soup in airtight containers with 1 inch headspace.
Proper cooling, refrigeration, freezing and reheating helps maximize safety and quality.
Refrigerator Storage Timeline
Here is a timeline of how long turkey soup lasts in the fridge:
- 0-2 hours: Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- 2-3 days: Turkey soup stays fresh for 2-3 days.
- 3-4 days: Maximum recommended fridge storage time.
- 1 week: Soup may start to degrade in quality and taste stale.
- 2 weeks: Discard soup stored for over 1 week.
For best quality, use fridge leftovers within 3-4 days. Toss any soup older than 1 week.
Freezer Storage Timeline
Here is how long frozen turkey soup retains optimal quality:
- 1 month: Remains fresh frozen.
- 3 months: Flavor and texture may start declining slightly.
- 4-6 months: Maximum recommended freezer time.
- 8-12 months: Not recommended. May be safe but quality loss.
For best taste, use frozen soup within 4-6 months and avoid prolonged freezing.
Storage Containers for Turkey Soup
Choose suitable containers for proper storage:
- Glass containers – Nonporous, won’t retain odors.
- BPA-free plastic containers – Avoid potential chemical leaching.
- Stainless steel containers – Maintain temperature, durable.
- Freezer bags – Convenient, choose durable thick bags.
- Canning jars – Ideal for soup, leave 1 inch headspace.
Avoid reactive materials like aluminum. Opt for food-grade airtight containers.
Thawing and Reheating Guidelines
Follow these tips when thawing and reheating:
- Thaw frozen soup overnight in the fridge. Don’t thaw at room temperature.
- Reheat in microwave in short 1-minute bursts. Stir frequently.
- For best results, reheat small amounts on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring regularly.
- Bring to a boil then simmer for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- Avoid reheating any portion more than once. Only reheat what you’ll eat immediately.
- Add liquid if soup looks too thick to prevent scorching when reheating.
Proper thawing and reheating keeps soup safe while retaining flavor.
Food Safety Tips
Always practice food safety:
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Don’t leave soup at room temperature.
- Divide into small containers for fast cooling after cooking.
- Check for spoilage before reheating. Discard moldy, slimy or smelly soup.
- Don’t store in cooking pot. Transfer to airtight container after cooling.
- Consume within 3-4 days once thawed. Don’t refreeze thawed soup.
- Bring to a boil when reheating to kill bacteria.
- Discard reheated soup left at room temperature over 2 hours.
Following correct food safety methods prevents illness from homemade turkey soup.
Storage FAQs
How long does turkey soup last in the fridge?
3-4 days when stored properly in airtight containers. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
Can you freeze turkey soup?
Yes, for 4-6 months if stored in airtight freezer bags or containers at 0°F. Leave 1 inch headspace.
How do you thaw frozen turkey soup?
Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. You can also use the microwave defrost setting.
Can you refreeze thawed turkey soup?
Not recommended. Only thaw the portion you’ll eat within 3-4 days.
How many times can you reheat turkey soup?
Don’t reheat the same portion more than once. Only reheat what you’ll eat immediately.
How do you store leftover turkey soup?
Cool within 2 hours, transfer to airtight containers, refrigerate and use within 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 6 months.
What if turkey soup is left out overnight?
Discard turkey soup left out at room temperature for over 2 hours. Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40°F-140°F.
By following proper storage methods, you can safely keep homemade turkey soup on hand for quick, healthy meals. Be sure to refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly and practice good food safety. With proper care, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious turkey soup for days.
Leftover Turkey Soup Stovetop Method
- Remove turkey meat from the bones and dice it until you have 2 cups. If available, save the bones to add to the soup.
- Warm a stockpot or a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and melt ghee or your favorite cooking oil.
- Add the carrot, celery, and onion, and cook stirring for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and thyme, and cook stirring for 1 minute.
- Into the same pot, add turkey, any turkey bones (if using), chicken broth (or water if adding bones), rice (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Stir and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Squeeze in lemon juice and remove any turkey carcass and bones. Taste to add more salt if needed.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: This recipe freezes really well. However, I recommend freezing it without the rice. Store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat once thawed. When ready to serve, make fresh rice and add it to the soup.
Serving: Serve in a bowl, sprinkled with fresh parsley or these air fryer biscuits! You can even add a scoop of mashed potatoes for an extra filling soup. You can also make a fresh batch of egg noodles to serve it over if desired.
Swaps: Feel free to use this Instant Pot turkey soup recipe with a whole chicken instead. Follow all the same instructions and swap in chicken instead of turkey.
Yes, you can easily make grain-free Whole30 soup by omitting the rice. If going this route, reduce the broth or water by 1 cup and cook it the same exact way.
You don’t need it, but it adds so much flavor! If you don’t have the turkey carcass make sure to add chicken broth or bone broth, instead of water, when making the soup.
Yes. Since dried thyme is more potent in flavor, use 1/3 the amount of fresh thyme.
Watch Instant Pot Turkey Soup Recipe Video
For a full list of ingredients, jump to the recipe card below.
You probably have all the ingredients for this leftover turkey soup after all the cooking you did over the holidays. It’s a simple and budget-friendly list of ingredients that come together to make the most delicious soup.
- Cooked Turkey Meat: You can use white or dark meat or a mixture of both! You can also make this recipe with leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or cooked chicken breasts!
- Turkey Carcass or Bones: This is completely optional, but I highly recommend you add it if you have it on hand. It’ll make a delicious leftover turkey carcass soup with amazing flavors. It also makes homemade turkey stock/turkey broth in the process!
- Ghee: I love using ghee for my cooking, but you can use any cooking oil you have on hand. If using ghee, you can make your own or this is my favorite brand to purchase.
- Veggies: Diced onion, celery, carrots, and minced garlic– you could even throw in green beans if you want!
- Thyme: I love the flavor of fresh thyme but you can use 1/3 amount of dried thyme instead.
- Chicken Broth: Water can be used instead of you end up using turkey carcass. The bones will add enough flavor to the water.
- White Rice: This is another optional ingredient. If you are making paleo or Whole30 soup, you can just omit this. You can also use brown rice or a wild rice blend if preferred.
- Fresh Herbs & Spices: Salt, ground black pepper, and fresh parsley.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is best, but you can use a bottle of lemon juice if you’re in a pinch.
