Smoked Turkey Soup
Posted: 10/27/26
Updated: 10/29/26
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Use holiday leftovers and make this delicious smoked turkey soup recipe for a hearty lunch or quick dinner. With white beans and tender veggies, this is pure comfort food, and my family asks me to make this one every year!
Why This Recipe For Smoked Turkey Soup Is So Good
- This tasty soup is SO full of healthy goodness. The high protein comes from the turkey and beans, and it has nutrients like iron, folate, and potassium, while it’s hearty without having to use heavy cream.
- Reuse leftover smoked turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, and make this soup! It’s warm and cozy, plus way better than another boring turkey sandwich.
- It’s so easy to make! Most of the cooking time is actually just the soup simmering to really bring out the flavors, so it’s low-effort after dealing with all that holiday stress.
Cheryl’s Tested Notes & Tips
- Before cooking, separate the turkey meat from the bones and skin, and cut or shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Sometimes meat that was exposed during the smoking process will be tough and leathery – cut that away, too.
- Smoked turkey meat adds a beautiful flavor to this soup, but whatever turkey meat you have on hand will work!
- The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will be! You can let this go for 45 minutes (minimum) for this recipe to really let the ingredients meld.
Ingredients Notes
Smoked turkey meat – I use meat from smoked turkey legs because it’s the most tender, juicy, and tastes a little like ham. Smoked turkey has a deeper, richer flavor than roasted turkey (thanks to the use of smoke and a long cooking time). You can use holiday leftovers already on hand, or grab a turkey leg at the grocery store!
Great northern beans – A white bean similar to cannellini, Great Northern beans are high fiber, low fat, and have no cholesterol. They taste a little nutty, and they’re super versatile. If you can’t find Great Northern beans, try Navy beans or cannellini beans for this recipe, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Chicken broth – I recommend low-sodium chicken broth so you have more control over the taste. Smoked turkey can be salty, so taste the soup before adding extra salt!
Carrots and celery – veggies build that yummy savory base while adding some fiber and sweetness. Try to cut these somewhat uniformly, so they cook more evenly when simmering.
How To Eat Smoked Turkey Soup
- Parker House Rolls. While these are normally eaten at Thanksgiving, why not use leftover rolls and eat them with this soup? Try my rolls recipe!
- Crispy garlic bread. Buttery garlic bread is fantastic with this comforting soup. Readers love our Air Fryer garlic bread, which is delicious and easy!
- Sourdough cheesy sandwich. I’m a BIG fan of sharp cheddar, while Gruyère brings a rich, nutty flavor. And yes, sourdough is the way to go here!
- Crusty French bread with butter. Why mess with a classic? I’ll cut some slices, warm them in my toaster oven, and place whipped butter on the table.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Fridge: If you aren’t freezing this, I use it for lunches or fast dinners on-the-go. Either put them in individual containers (I like these ones), or in one big, well-sealed container. I keep this in my fridge for about 5-6 days.
- Perfect for the Freezer: This soup not only makes leftovers go the distance, but I sometimes want to stretch this kind of soup. Once you prepare this, let it cool, store it in an airtight container (or in a zippered freezer bag laid flat on a shelf), and freeze for 3 to 6 months.
Recipe FAQs
- Can I use leftover Thanksgiving turkey? For sure! Leftover smoked turkey leg is my go-to and cuts up nicely. If you only have roasted turkey, use it, but the soup will have a milder flavor.
- Can I add more vegetables or rice? I’m a veggie advocate, so stir in a handful of spinach or chopped kale. Another thing I add is 1 cup of cooked rice. As you ladle the soup, divide the cooked rice among the bowls, and serve.
- What if I want a thicker smoked turkey soup? Oh, this is easy! Mash some of the beans against the side of the pot and stir them into the broth; just stir it enough so the mashed beans incorporate well!
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Smoked Turkey Soup
Our recipe for smoked turkey soup with white beans, veggies, and plenty of seasoning is a hearty, nutritious way to use leftover smoked turkey.
servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 celery stalks thinly sliced (same as the carrots)
- 1 cup carrots thinly sliced
- 2 smoked turkey legs meat pulled off the bones, skin removed, and cut or shredded into bite-sized pieces
- 1 can Great Northern beans drained
- 4 ½ cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté, stirring often, until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the sliced celery and carrots, plus the thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook 2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the shredded smoked turkey meat and cook 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the drained beans. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Boil 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer at least 45 minutes (the longer it simmers, the more flavorful it gets).
- Remove from the heat, ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 12ounces | Calories: 566kcal | Protein: 69g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Total Carbs: 9g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Net Carbs: 7g | Vitamin C: 5mg | Cholesterol: 246mg | Sodium: 1257mg | Potassium: 1145mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 6mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Can lentils be used instead of rice?
Absolutely! Lentils would be a great swap — they’ll add extra protein and hold up really well in the soup. Green or brown lentils work best since they keep their shape. You may need to add a splash more broth since lentils absorb a lot. Enjoy! 😋
Great recipe glad I found it. It’s kind of a base and you can do a whole bunch of different things with it. I did it exactly as you had it with the exception I cooked the rice in the soup. It was wonderful.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing, John!
Great recipe glad I found it. It’s kind of a base and you can do a whole bunch of different things with it. I did it exactly as you had it with the exception I cooked the rice in the soup. It was wonderful.
A wonderful tasting soup recipe. Added some fresh green beans and instead of rice used some small pieces of egg Pappardelle pasta at the end of the simmering time. Also used smoked turkey breast. Saved as a 5 star recipe in my soup folder.
Ooh, your additions sound delish! Thanks for sharing!
yummy soup tastes good first day tastes even better second time!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it!!
Do I put the rice in the soup
After I cook the rice, just can’t wait to make it. been eating Greenberg smoked turkey five years love it.
Yes, cook the rice before adding it to the soup! I hope you enjoy the recipe, Barbara!