Transforming post-holiday abundance into a sensational new meal is an art, and with this incredibly versatile recipe, you’ll master it effortlessly. Imagine a chilly evening, the comforting aroma of a rich, creamy soup filling your home, all crafted from the delicious remnants of your Thanksgiving feast. This isn’t just any soup; it’s a soul-soothing Cream of Turkey Soup, perfectly designed to give new life to leftover turkey, fluffy mashed potatoes, and even those forgotten bread rolls. Don’t let a few random carrots or mushrooms languishing in your fridge go to waste either – toss them in! In approximately 30 minutes, you can conjure up a hearty, nourishing dinner that not only satisfies but also celebrates the spirit of zero-waste cooking.
The Art of Repurposing: Giving New Life to Thanksgiving Leftovers
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and, of course, an extravagant feast. While the joy of the holiday meal is unparalleled, the sheer volume of food often leads to an abundance of leftovers. Our culinary mission is rooted in the passion for reducing food waste at home, especially during these festive periods. We believe that every morsel of a holiday meal holds the potential for a glorious second act, transforming into something equally delightful, if not more so.
The secret to mastering leftover meals, particularly with something as iconic as Thanksgiving turkey, lies in reinvention. Simply reheating the same meal can quickly become monotonous, and let’s be honest, holiday leftovers rarely taste as fresh and exciting as they did on the first day. The key is to craft a new dish that tastes COMPLETELY different from your original holiday spread. This approach prevents “leftover fatigue” and turns what could be a repetitive chore into an exciting culinary adventure. No one wants to relive the same meal four nights in a row; instead, embrace the opportunity to create entirely new flavor profiles and textures.
This Cream of Turkey Soup is a prime example of such a transformation. It takes familiar ingredients like turkey and mashed potatoes and reimagines them into a warm, creamy embrace. But the possibilities don’t stop there. Our commitment to sustainable and delicious leftover utilization extends to a wide array of creative dishes. Explore some of our other innovative recipes in this “Giving New Life to Leftover Turkey” series:
- Leftover Turkey: The Bobbie Sandwich
- Leftover Turkey Bibimbap Buddha Bowl
- Leftover Turkey Cranberry BBQ Sandwiches
- Leftover Turkey Thai Buddha Bowl
- Leftover Turkey Cobb Salad
- Leftover Turkey Pumpkin Chili
The Magic Behind Our Cream of Turkey Soup: Essential Ingredients
The beauty of this Cream of Turkey Soup lies not only in its heartwarming flavor but also in its clever use of ingredients that are almost guaranteed to be lingering after a big holiday meal. We’re talking about components that form the backbone of many comforting dishes, now repurposed for a glorious new creation.
Mashed Potatoes: The Secret to Unbeatable Creaminess
The star ingredient for achieving that luxurious, velvety texture in our soup is undoubtedly leftover mashed potatoes. They effortlessly melt into the broth, thickening it naturally and lending an incredible richness without the need for heavy cream or flour. This not only elevates the soup’s mouthfeel but also makes it an ingeniously economical dish. Any type of mashed potatoes will work, whether they’re buttery and garlicky or simply seasoned. If by some rare chance you don’t have any leftovers, making a fresh batch is simple. For an exceptional base, check out our very best mashed potato recipe here. The creamier your original mashed potatoes, the smoother and more luscious your soup will become.
Aromatics: Building a Flavor Foundation
Every great soup starts with a robust aromatic base, and this recipe is no exception. Onions and garlic are the quintessential duo, providing a deeply savory foundation that elevates all other flavors. These are staples you likely have on hand from all your holiday cooking. Yellow onions caramelize beautifully, adding a subtle sweetness, while fresh minced garlic provides a pungent depth. If you have leeks available, they make an excellent substitute for or addition to onions, offering a milder, sweeter onion flavor. Sautéing these until softened and translucent releases their full aromatic potential, setting the stage for a truly flavorful soup.
Versatile Veggies: Adding Depth and Nutrition
This soup is incredibly forgiving and truly shines as a vehicle for any leftover vegetables you might have. While carrots, mushrooms, and celery are our absolute favorites for their texture and earthy notes, feel free to get creative. Diced carrots add a touch of sweetness and vibrant color, mushrooms contribute an umami richness, and celery provides a crisp, fresh contrast. Don’t hesitate to toss in other fridge dwellers like peas, corn, green beans, or even spinach. These vegetables not only boost the nutritional value of your soup but also ensure that no edible food goes to waste. A quick sauté helps them meld seamlessly into the soup’s profile.
Broth: The Heart of the Soup
The liquid base of your soup is crucial, and either chicken or vegetable broth will serve you well, contributing significant depth of flavor. If you happen to have homemade turkey stock from your Thanksgiving bird, that’s an absolute bonus and will infuse your soup with unparalleled richness. However, a good quality store-bought broth works perfectly. In a pinch, water can be used, but remember to compensate by increasing the amount of your favorite spices and seasonings to ensure the soup remains robust and flavorful. Start with 3 cups and add more incrementally to achieve your desired consistency.
Leftover Turkey: The Star Reimagined
The diced leftover turkey is, of course, the highlight, transforming from a holiday roast into tender, savory morsels within the creamy soup. Both white and dark meat work wonderfully, offering a blend of textures and flavors. Dicing the turkey into small, bite-sized pieces ensures it’s evenly distributed throughout the soup and heats through quickly. This is where the “reinvention” truly comes to life; the turkey becomes part of a new culinary identity, far from its original presentation.
Essential Seasonings: Bringing it all Together
Simple yet powerful, dried thyme and dried parsley are classic soup herbs that complement the turkey and vegetables beautifully, imparting a warm, earthy aroma. Salt and pepper are non-negotiable for seasoning to taste. Don’t be shy about adjusting these throughout the cooking process. A pinch of poultry seasoning or a dash of sage could also enhance the “Thanksgiving” feel if you desire.
Crafting the Perfect Crispy Garlic Croutons
No creamy soup is complete without a delightful textural contrast, and homemade garlic croutons are the ideal accompaniment. They add a satisfying crunch and a burst of savory flavor that elevates every spoonful. Plus, they’re another fantastic way to utilize leftover bread!
Choosing Your Bread: A Foundation for Flavor
The beauty of homemade croutons is their flexibility. Almost any leavened bread will work wonders: leftover dinner rolls, a crusty sourdough, a French baguette, or even sliced sandwich bread. Older, slightly stale bread is often preferred as it toasts up quicker and achieves a crisper texture than fresh bread, which can become chewy. The size of your bread cubes matters too; smaller cubes will bake faster and be more evenly crisp, while larger chunks offer a heartier bite. Aim for roughly 1-inch cubes for optimal results.
The Perfect Fat Blend: Flavor and Crispness
The fat you choose plays a crucial role in the flavor and crispness of your croutons. A mixture of olive oil and melted butter is highly recommended. Olive oil contributes a robust, peppery note and helps achieve a golden-brown exterior, while butter adds a rich, dairy depth and promotes a beautifully even color. For an extra layer of flavor, consider using rendered bacon fat in combination with a little olive oil for an even more savory crunch, especially if you have it on hand.
Unleashing Flavor Creativity: Beyond Garlic
This is where homemade croutons truly shine – you have complete control over the flavor! While salt is non-negotiable for enhancing taste, our simple garlic croutons are a fantastic starting point. However, feel empowered to customize! Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning for an urban flair, ranch seasoning for a zesty kick, a dash of curry powder for exotic warmth, or smoked paprika for a subtle smoky depth. Dried Italian herbs like oregano and basil are also excellent choices. The world truly is your crouton oyster, so experiment and find your favorite flavor combinations!
Storing for Lasting Crunch: Tips for Freshness
One of the best things about homemade croutons is that they can be prepared in advance. The key to maintaining their delightful crunch is to keep moisture and humidity at bay. Once fully baked and golden brown, allow the croutons to cool completely at room temperature. This is crucial; storing warm croutons will trap steam and make them soggy. Store them in an airtight container or a resealable bag, making sure to squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag. Properly stored, these savory morsels will retain their crispness for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze your croutons in a freezer-safe bag or container for several months. When ready to use, simply spread them on a baking sheet and heat them in a 350-degree F oven until warmed through and re-crisped, typically about 5-10 minutes.
Leftover Cream of Turkey Soup with Garlic Croutons
This leftover cream of turkey soup is incredibly hearty and brimming with flavor. Utilize your Thanksgiving staples to craft this nourishing and comforting soup, giving your leftovers a delicious new identity. Paired with crispy homemade garlic croutons, it’s a meal that’s both satisfying and smart.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Course: Main Course, Soup
- Cuisine: American
- Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
Cream of Turkey Soup
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 large celery stalk, diced
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3-4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 2 cups leftover turkey, diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garlic Croutons
- 6 cups leftover bread, cubed (e.g., dinner rolls, sourdough, baguette)
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (more to taste)
Instructions
Cream of Turkey Soup
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced onions, carrots, celery, and sliced mushrooms. Stir in the dried thyme and parsley, then sprinkle with a little salt. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened and the onions are translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in 3 cups of broth and add the leftover mashed potatoes. Stir vigorously with a whisk or spoon until the mashed potatoes are mostly dissolved and the broth forms a smooth, creamy base.
- Add the diced leftover turkey. If you prefer a thinner soup, gradually add the remaining cup of broth, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Bring everything to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the turkey to heat through.
- Season to taste with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper before serving.
Garlic Croutons
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread with the melted butter and olive oil. Toss well until all the bread cubes are evenly coated.
- Add the salt and garlic powder, then toss again to distribute the seasonings thoroughly. Taste a small piece and adjust for more seasonings if desired.
- Divide the seasoned bread cubes between two large baking sheets, ensuring they are spread in a single layer without overcrowding. This allows for even crisping.
- Bake for 15 minutes, flipping the croutons halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheets before storing them. Refer to the “Tips to Make Garlic Croutons” section above for detailed storage advice to keep them crunchy.
Keywords
leftover turkey soup, thanksgiving leftovers, cream of turkey soup, turkey soup recipe, homemade croutons, food waste solutions, holiday meal ideas, mashed potato soup, easy turkey recipes, comfort food
There you have it – a comforting, rich, and utterly delicious Cream of Turkey Soup, perfectly complemented by crispy garlic croutons. This recipe not only helps you savor every bit of your holiday feast but also creates a brand new meal that stands on its own as a comforting classic. Serve this soup hot, perhaps with a sprinkle of fresh chives or a dollop of sour cream for an extra touch of indulgence. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a quick, satisfying lunch. So, next time you’re faced with a mountain of holiday leftovers, don’t just reheat them; reinvent them into something extraordinary!
Tried this recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and tell us how it turned out in the comments below. Your feedback helps us and other home cooks discover new favorites!