Turkey Noodle Soup Using Leftover Turkey (Easy Recipe)
Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
After Thanksgiving, everyone hits that point where they’ve had just about enough turkey… but the fridge is still full of leftovers. No one wants to eat turkey sandwiches for a week straight, and honestly, neither do I. That’s when this comforting Turkey Noodle Soup Leftover Turkey comes to the rescue.
It’s warm, cozy, and incredibly easy — and it uses the last bit of flavor from your turkey by turning the bones into a homemade broth. My grandmother always said, “Never waste the bones. That’s where the best soup comes from.” She was right. A good broth is simple, delicious, and stretches your leftovers further than you’d think.
And if you’ve been on a soup kick like I have lately, this one fits right in. It’s also the perfect post-shopping meal: make it during your holiday clean-up, tuck it in the fridge overnight, then come home the next day to a hot bowl of comfort waiting to be reheated.
You can even use whatever leftover vegetables you’ve got — or pull scraps from the freezer. No part of your Thanksgiving feast has to go to waste.
Why You’ll Love This Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
- Uses leftover turkey meat and the bones
- Zero waste — “one last use” before tossing the carcass
- Great way to use freezer veggie scraps
- Budget-friendly, hearty, and family-approved
- Perfect after a long day of holiday shopping
- Make-ahead friendly
- A cozy meal that doesn’t taste like leftovers
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Leftover turkey meat (shredded or chopped)
- Turkey bones/carcass
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
- Any leftover vegetables (optional)
- Egg noodles (or any pasta)
- Salt + pepper
- Herbs (thyme, parsley, rosemary — whatever you like)
- Water or vegetable broth (if needed)
How to Make the Broth (from the Turkey Bones)
Step 1 — Save the bones:
After the turkey is carved, throw the carcass, wing tips, and little leftover bits into a big pot.
Step 2 — Add scraps:
This is where you can use:
- Onion ends
- Celery scraps
- Carrot tops
- Leftover herbs
- Frozen veggie scraps you’ve been saving
Step 3 – Cover with Water and Simmer:
Let it gently bubble for 1–2 hours.
The goal: pull every last bit of flavor out of the bones.
Step 4 – Strain:
Remove the bones and scraps.
You now have a deep, flavorful broth without spending a penny.
(If you don’t want to make broth from scratch, vegetable broth works perfectly.)
Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup — Step-by-Step
- Sauté onion, celery, and carrots until softened. (10 minutes)
- Add garlic.
- Pour in your homemade broth.
- Add shredded leftover turkey.
- Stir in herbs and seasoning.
- Bring to a simmer. (about 20 minutes)
- Prepare noodles separately. (Adding them changes the flavor and they overcook)
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
Serve warm — preferably with bread, biscuits, leftover rolls or a side salad.
DISCLAIMER: This page contains affiliate links. Purchases made through such links will reward me a small commission at no extra cost for you. I always have my readers’ best interest at heart. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See our Disclosure Policy.
Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup (Easy, Cozy, and Budget-Friendly)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups turkey
- 8 cups vegetable broth (or turkey broth made from leftover bones)
- ½ cup celery chopped
- ½ cup carrots chopped
- ½ cup green beans cut
- ½ cup corn canned or fresh
- ¾ cup onion small chopped
- 8 oz egg noodles if using bagged
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- parsley fresh or dried to taste
- garlic fresh or jarred minced to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather equipment and ingredients.
Broth (if needed)
- Prepare stock pot with leftover bones from turkey or vegetable scraps
- Add water.
- Cook on medium to high heat for 1 hour.
- Remove from heat and drain using colander.
- Restore liquid to stock pot for turkey soup ingredients.
Prepping Ingredients and Combining
- Chop turkey into small pieces or shred.
- Chop celery.
- Chop carrots.
- Chop small onion.
- Cut green beans into bite sized pieces.
- Drain corn if using canned.
- Add all items into stock pot filled with broth.
Cooking
- Cook on medium heat until vegetables are tender with a slight crunch.
- Stir occasionally.
- In separate pot. Add water and prepare noodles according to cooking instructions on bag.
- Remove and drain noodles.
Seasonings
- Add salt, pepper, garlic, parsley to taste.
Serving and Storing
- Remove from heat. Serve into bowls with bread or a side salad.
- Store leftovers in freezer safe containers. Last for up to 2 days.
Tips for Making Turkey Noodle Soup
If you’re using leftover turkey, chop it into small, bite-sized pieces so it blends well with the noodles. I like to sauté the vegetables a few extra minutes for deeper flavor, especially the onions — it builds a nice base for the broth.
If the soup starts to thicken as it sits (the noodles love to soak up liquid), just add more broth or a splash of water to loosen it. Adjust the seasoning at the end — turkey has a quieter flavor than chicken, so a little extra salt and pepper goes a long way.
This turkey noodle soup using leftover turkey recipe is one of my favorite ways to turn holiday leftovers into a cozy, simple meal. If you are interesting my other recipes, you will love my Vegetable Soup Using Leftover Vegetables recipe or my Rice Crispy Chicken Casserole recipe.
For more soup inspiration, I often browse recipes on Simply Recipes.
Storage:
Turkey noodle soup keeps beautifully for a few days.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- Keep the noodle separate when cooking the soup as adding them will absorb the liquid, plus it will soften too much and not have a good taste.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding broth until it reaches your favorite consistency.
- If you plan to freeze the soup, cook the noodles separately and add them fresh when serving — frozen noodles tend to get mushy.
For safe handling and storage times, the USDA has a helpful information on Food Safety and Storage.
DISCLAIMER: This page contains affiliate links. Purchases made through such links will reward me a small commission at no extra cost for you. I always have my readers’ best interest at heart. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See our Disclosure Policy.
Tools I Use:
These are the tools I reach for whenever I make a simple pot of soup:
Grab your Plan My Day Checklist
If you like keeping life simple and cozy, you might enjoy the free Plan My Day Checklist I use each morning. It’s a gentle, no-pressure way to map out the day without feeling overwhelmed.
👉 Download your free Plan My Day Checklist here
Final Thoughts:
Turkey noodle soup is one of those easy, comforting recipes that feels good on busy evenings — especially when you’re trying to use up leftovers. It comes together quickly, tastes even better the next day, and makes the whole house smell warm and welcoming. I hope you enjoy this one as much as we do.
About the Author:
Hi, I’m Mary Ann — a cozy home cook, crochet lover, and storyteller behind My Tasteful Threads. I share simple recipes, handmade projects, travel moments, and the little things that make everyday life feel warm and manageable.
Join the Newsletter
If you’d like more cozy recipes, simple projects, and everyday inspiration, you’re welcome to join my newsletter. I send friendly updates, helpful ideas, and the occasional freebie straight to your inbox.
👉 Sign up here and stay connected
