The Most Comforting Turkey Noodle Soup Recipe

There’s something truly magical about a steaming bowl of Turkey Noodle Soup, especially when the weather turns cool. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a warm hug in a bowl, a taste of home that instantly brings comfort. Today, I’m so excited to share my favorite way to make this classic dish, focusing on a deeply flavorful homemade broth that makes all the difference. Get ready to create a batch that will fill your kitchen with the most wonderful aroma!

Why You’ll Love This Cozy Turkey Noodle Soup

This isn’t just any Turkey Noodle Soup; it’s a labor of love that yields incredible results. You’ll adore this recipe because:

• Unbeatable Flavor: Using a turkey carcass to create homemade broth provides a depth of flavor that’s simply unmatched by store-bought options.
• Classic Comfort: It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening, a sick day, or simply when you need a little something special.
• Adaptable & Easy: While the homemade broth is wonderful, I’ll guide you through easy shortcuts too, making it achievable even on a busy weeknight.
• A True Family Favorite: This recipe has a way of bringing everyone to the table with happy sighs and empty bowls.

Sarah

Ultimate Turkey Noodle Soup with Homemade Broth

This turkey noodle soup gets unbeatable flavor from a rich homemade broth and perfectly al dente noodles. Cozy, adaptable, and freezer-friendly – make it tonight!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Soup

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Broth

• 1 turkey carcass turkey carcass from a 12- to 14-pound turkey
• 1 large onion cut into quarters
• 3 ribs celery cut into chunks
• 2 medium carrots cut into chunks, unpeeled
• 4 cloves garlic peeled
• 2 leaves bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning or ½ teaspoon ground sage
• 12 cups water

Noodle Soup

• 2 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup onion finely diced
• 2 medium carrots diced
• 2 ribs celery diced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour optional
• 2½ cups cooked chopped turkey
• 1 teaspoon salt more to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 8 ounces egg noodles measured dry
• ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

• large soup pot
• slow cooker
• fine mesh strainer
• cheesecloth
• Dutch oven
• Serving bowl

Method

 

Broth

1. If using prepared or store-bought broth, skip ahead to “noodle soup” below. If making homemade broth from a turkey carcass, place turkey carcass, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, poultry seasoning, and water in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook partially covered for 3-4 hours. This can also be cooked in a large slow cooker for 10-12 hours.
2. Line a strainer with cheese cloth and strain the broth. Discard the bones and vegetables. Let the broth rest at least 20 minutes, skim the fat off of the top of the broth.
3. Taste and season the broth with salt & pepper. Add it back into the pot and simmer uncovered to reduce to 8 cups, about 20 minutes.

Noodle Soup

1. Cook the onion in butter until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in flour and seasonings and cook for 1 minute. Add celery and carrot and cook for 2-3 minutes more.
2. Add broth, stirring into the vegetable mixture a bit at a time. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
3. While the vegetables are cooking, cook egg noodles* in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well.
4. Add the turkey and parsley to the soup and cook just until heated through. Season with additional salt & pepper.
5. Place egg noodles in the bottom of a serving bowl. Top with the soup.

Notes

The nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. This recipe is easily adaptable to be gluten-free by using rice noodles or gluten-free pasta. For a heartier version, add diced potatoes, parsnips, sweet potatoes, or corn. For a creamy soup, stir in heavy cream, half-and-half, or full-fat coconut milk at the end. A spicy kick can be achieved by adding red pepper flakes. If you don’t have leftover roasted turkey, a store-bought rotisserie turkey or chicken is a great shortcut. If the soup is too salty, add a peeled potato to absorb excess salt, then discard. If too thin, use a cornstarch slurry. If too thick, add more broth or water. Remember to cook noodles separately to prevent them from becoming mushy.

The Heart of the Soup: Ingredient Deep Dive

The secret to an amazing Turkey Noodle Soup lies in quality ingredients and a little bit of kitchen magic. Let’s dive into what makes this recipe so special.

• Turkey Carcass: This is your flavor goldmine! Don’t toss those leftover bones after Thanksgiving or a holiday roast. Simmering them creates a rich, nourishing broth that forms the soul of our soup.
• Mirepoix (Onion, Carrots, Celery): This classic trio is the foundational flavor base for so many delicious dishes, including our soup. For the broth, we’re keeping the onion quarters, celery chunks, and unpeeled carrots whole to maximize flavor extraction.
• Aromatics (Garlic, Bay Leaves, Poultry Seasoning/Sage, Thyme): These humble ingredients are flavor powerhouses. Garlic adds a pungent warmth, bay leaves lend a subtle herbal note, poultry seasoning (or ground sage) brings classic savory notes, and dried thyme adds an earthy, aromatic touch.
• Water: The essential liquid that carries all these wonderful flavors to create our broth.
• Butter & Flour (Optional): If you prefer a slightly thicker soup, a simple roux made with butter and flour can add a lovely richness and body.
• Cooked Turkey Meat: The star protein! Shredded or diced leftover roasted turkey is perfect. Dark meat adds more flavor, while breast meat is leaner.
• Egg Noodles: These soak up the broth beautifully. Cooking them separately ensures they stay perfectly al dente and don’t turn mushy in the finished soup.
• Fresh Parsley: A sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end adds a burst of vibrant color and a clean, fresh finish that brightens the whole dish.

Crafting the Perfect Homemade Broth

Making your own broth from a turkey carcass is a game-changer for Turkey Noodle Soup. It’s surprisingly simple and yields a broth far superior to anything you can buy. First, gather your turkey carcass and roughly chop your onion, celery, and carrots. Toss them into a large soup pot with the garlic cloves, bay leaves, poultry seasoning, and a generous 12 cups of water.

Bring it all to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it cook, partially covered, for a good 3-4 hours. This long, slow simmer is key to extracting all that wonderful flavor and goodness from the bones. If you’re using a slow cooker, set it and forget it for 10-12 hours on low. If you love set-and-forget dinners, try our easy crockpot cracked chicken recipe.

Once your broth has had time to work its magic, it’s time to strain it. Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth for an extra clear broth, and carefully strain the liquid into a clean pot or large bowl. Discard the bones and softened vegetables – they’ve given their all! Let the broth rest for at least 20 minutes, then skim off any accumulated fat from the surface. This step ensures a cleaner, lighter flavor. Finally, taste the broth and season it with salt and pepper. Return it to the pot and let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes to reduce slightly, concentrating the flavors to about 8 cups.

How to Make This Delicious Turkey Noodle Soup

Now that we have our flavorful broth, let’s bring this comforting Turkey Noodle Soup together!

Making the Homemade Broth:

Start by placing your turkey carcass, quartered onion, celery chunks, carrot chunks, peeled garlic cloves, bay leaves, poultry seasoning, and 12 cups of water into a large soup pot. Bring this to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let it simmer for 3-4 hours. Alternatively, you can cook this in a large slow cooker on low for 10-12 hours.

Straining and Reducing the Broth:

Carefully strain the broth through a cheesecloth-lined strainer into a clean pot. Discard the solids. Let the broth sit for about 20 minutes, then skim off any excess fat from the top. Taste and season the broth with salt and pepper, then simmer it uncovered for about 20 minutes to reduce and concentrate the flavors to about 8 cups.

Building the Soup Base:

While the broth simmers, melt the butter in a separate large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. If using flour, stir it in along with the salt, pepper, and thyme, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Then, add the diced carrots and celery and cook for another 2-3 minutes, just to soften them slightly.

Combining and Simmering:

Gradually pour in the reduced turkey broth, whisking into the vegetable mixture to combine everything smoothly. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, partially covered, until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.

Cooking the Noodles:

While the vegetables are simmering, cook the egg noodles in a separate large pot of generously salted boiling water according to package directions until they are just al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Drain them very well. Cooking them separately is our little secret to preventing mushy noodles!

Finishing Touches:

Stir the cooked, chopped turkey and fresh parsley into the simmering soup. Cook just until the turkey is heated through, which usually only takes a minute or two. Taste and adjust seasonings one last time. To serve, place a generous portion of the cooked egg noodles into the bottom of each serving bowl, then ladle the delicious Turkey Noodle Soup over the top.

Tips for the Best Turkey Noodle Soup Ever

I love sharing little tips that make a big difference! Here are a few to elevate your Turkey Noodle Soup:

• Seasoning Savvy: Always taste and adjust your salt and pepper at the end. Your homemade broth will have its own salinity, and you want to balance it perfectly.
• Broth Consistency: If your broth isn’t quite as concentrated as you’d like after simmering, don’t worry! Just let it simmer uncovered a little longer to evaporate excess liquid and intensify those lovely flavors.
• Noodle Perfection: I can’t stress this enough – cooking your noodles separately is the key to avoiding a gummy soup. They’ll stay delightfully chewy when added just before serving.
• Herb Power: While dried herbs are fantastic, a little fresh parsley stirred in at the very end adds a beautiful pop of color and a fresh, bright flavor. You could even add a few sprigs of fresh thyme during the last 30 minutes of simmering the broth.
• Beyond the Basics: Feel free to add other vegetables! Frozen peas or corn are a simple addition that can be tossed in during the last few minutes of cooking. Diced potatoes or parsnips are also lovely additions for a heartier soup.

Variations & Adaptations for Your Turkey Noodle Soup

This Turkey Noodle Soup is wonderfully adaptable! Here are a few ways to make it your own:

Troubleshooting Common Turkey Noodle Soup Hiccups

Even the most experienced cooks run into little kitchen challenges! Here’s how to fix common Turkey Noodle Soup issues:

• Soup too Salty? Oh dear! Don’t despair. Add a peeled, whole potato to the simmering soup for about 10-15 minutes; it will absorb some of the excess salt. Discard the potato afterward. You can also dilute the soup with a bit of unsalted water or more unsalted broth.
• Soup too Thin? If you skipped the optional flour step and find your soup a little too brothy, a simple cornstarch slurry can help. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth, then whisk it into the simmering soup until it thickens.
• Soup too Thick? This is an easy fix! Just add more unsalted turkey broth or even plain water, a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
• Noodles Mushy? This is the most common culprit! It happens when noodles are cooked directly in the soup for too long. Remember our golden rule: cook them separately and add them just before serving to maintain their perfect texture.

What to Serve with Your Turkey Noodle Soup

While this Turkey Noodle Soup is a hearty meal all on its own, serving it with a few thoughtful sides can make it even more special. A bright, crunchy Italian grinder salad pairs beautifully.

• Crusty Bread: A warm baguette or a slice of artisan bread is perfect for soaking up every last drop of that delicious broth.
• Light Green Salad: A simple side salad with a bright vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup.
• Biscuits: Fluffy, homemade biscuits are a classic pairing that feels wonderfully cozy and satisfying.
• Cranberry Sauce: A dollop of tangy cranberry sauce adds a surprising and delightful sweet-tart element, especially if you’re serving this post-holiday.
• Cornbread: Slightly sweet, crumbly cornbread offers a wonderful textural and flavor contrast.

Make-Ahead and Storage Secrets

Planning ahead is a lifesaver! Here’s how to store your delicious Turkey Noodle Soup:

• Make-Ahead: You can absolutely make the soup base (broth, vegetables, and turkey) a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep the cooked noodles separate!
• Refrigerator Storage: Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Again, storing the noodles separately is ideal to prevent sogginess.
• Freezing: This soup freezes beautifully! Cool the soup base completely, then transfer it to airtight containers or freezer bags. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop, adding freshly cooked noodles just before serving.

Nutritional Spotlight

This Turkey Noodle Soup is a wonderfully comforting and nourishing meal. Made with a lean protein like turkey and packed with vegetables, it offers a good source of protein and essential vitamins. The homemade broth, rich with minerals from the turkey bones, is incredibly soothing. If you’re looking to lighten it up further, opt for low-sodium broth, use less butter and flour for thickening, or load it up with even more non-starchy vegetables. It’s a hearty, satisfying dish that truly nourishes the body and soul. For a fresh, lighter side, our vibrant pesto pasta salad is a great pairing.

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Noodle Soup

Let’s answer a few common questions about making this delightful soup:

Share Your Cozy Creation!

I truly hope you enjoy making and savoring this comforting Turkey Noodle Soup as much as I do. It’s a recipe that’s close to my heart, and I’m so happy to share it with you. Now, I can’t wait to hear how your delicious Turkey Noodle Soup turns out! Did you try any fun variations? Drop a comment below and let me know – I love hearing from you! Happy cooking, friends!