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Dec 16, 2017

Turkey Noodle Soup from Scratch

This turkey noodle soup from scratch is pure comfort food. Any time we roast a turkey, especially around the holidays, we save the carcass to make the broth for this turkey soup.

Turkey Noodle Soup from Scratch



Making homemade turkey soup after Thanksgiving or Christmas is probably the biggest food tradition that Mr. Kitchen and I share. He is a big fan of soup of any kind, so, years ago, when someone told him that you could make homemade turkey soup from the leftover carcass, he decided to take on making turkey soup from scratch.

Keep in mind, he normally doesn't cook food from scratch! At the time, the only cookbook we had was The Joy of Cooking, which he closely consulted (there were no Interwebs, and I hadn't begun to amass my ridiculously huge cookbook collection).

Each year, the soup got better and better, and I always looked forward to his turkey soup each year.

When I started sharing recipes online, one of the first things I wanted to post was his turkey soup. Since then, I've let him make the annual soup, until last year, when I highjacked the carcass to make this delicious Five Spice Turkey Noodle Soup. I don't think he was too happy about it at first, because it didn't have a ton of potatoes and vegetables, but the flavors of the soup won him over.


Turkey Noodle Soup from Scratch



This year, I placed dibs on the carcass once again, and made this traditional turkey noodle soup with egg noodles, carrots, celery, corn, and fresh dill.

Mr. Kitchen loved it. Just so he doesn't get used to me making the soup, I may have to relinquish the turkey next year.

Note: You can make this soup any time of the year, even if you don't have a turkey carcass. For a delicious chicken noodle soup, you can use 2 to 3 store bought rotisserie chickens. It's amazing. For a quick version, just use store bought turkey or chicken broth.

This month, the Soup Saturday Swappers are sharing soups with the theme "Thanks for the Memories." Making a variation of this soup has been a tradition in our house for at least 20 years, and it is always an adventure. Thanks to Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm for this great theme.

After the recipe, there are even more links to recipes and stories about soup memories. Check them out.



Yield: 8 servings

Turkey Noodle Soup from Scratch Recipe

ingredients:

For the Broth
  • 1 turkey carcass, plus wings and neck (from a cooked turkey), with the meat removed and reserved
  • handful of thyme
  • handful of flat leaf parsley
  • 5 to 6 celery stalks, including leaves, chopped
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 20 peppercorns
  • 2 large yellow onions, chopped
  • Salt and pepper
For the Soup
  • All of the broth, plus the leftover turkey (or chicken) meat
  • 2 cups finely diced carrots
  • 2 cups finely diced celery
  • 12 ounces egg noodles, cooked al dente
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
  • Fresh dill, chopped, for garnish

instructions:

To Make the Broth
  1. Place the carcass, wings, and neck into an 8 quart Dutch oven or stock pot. If necessary, break up the carcass to fit it into the pan. Cover with water and add the thyme, parsley, celery, bay leaves peppercorns, and onions.
  2. Bring the pan to a boil, and then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for four hours, skimming off any foam that may develop.
  3. Season the broth with salt and pepper to taste and strain the broth through a strainer into a large bowl. Discard the bones and cooked vegetables, reserving just the broth. Cover the broth and refrigerate. When the broth has chilled, scrape off any fat that settles on top. 
For the Soup
  1. Bring the broth to a simmer. Meanwhile, cut the leftover turkey into bite sized pieces. 
  2. Add the carrots and celery, and cook for about 8 minutes. 
  3. Add the cooked noodles and corn. Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper if necessary. 
  4. Serve the soup garnished with the fresh dill. 
In linkz code

Turkey Noodle Soup from Scratch

Would you like to comment?

  1. I love making Turkey Frame soup as well. I had to laugh because my husband has taken over the making of Chicken soup in this house hold so I know how displaced your husband feels when you take a turn LOL

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  2. I love this, Karen! The turkey carcass is precious (as is the stock that comes from it)! Your post makes me realize just how much I appreciate Mr. Saucy not venturing into the kitchen! I'd have to cut someone over the turkey carcass! ;)

    Your soup sounds wonderful! <3 P~

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    Replies
    1. Lol!! My husband doesn't cook at all, except for making soup. We may have to make two turkeys, one for each of us.

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  3. I love turkey noodle soup, and this one sounds like a winner as well, and how special that your husband makes soup as well, mine doesn't cook at all.

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  4. Wrestling for the turkey carcass is a Thanksgiving tradition! How great that you both make soup. Your turkey soup looks fabulous.

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    1. Thanks Kathy! I may have to back off next year =)

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  5. It must be nice to have someone else cook for a change...I'll have to convince B.O.B. Bob to make soup for me one day! It might get a little crazy in the kitchen!!! Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck - Colleen

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    Replies
    1. Well, it's only one day a year, lol! But then there are lots of leftovers =)

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  6. Well, you certainly deserve to have a meal prepared for you, after all the treats you make all year round lol:D
    In our household, we have another problem : who's gonna let the other one cook :D:D
    This is definitely a great way to use leftover turkey. Excellent, easy to follow and delicious recipe. Kudos!

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    1. I could get used to having another cook in the house!

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  7. "Dibs on the carcass" that's not something you hear everyday. Love it! We don't have turkey on Thanksgiving, but I love making a version of this with chicken. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. "Dibs on the carcass" does sound a little strange, doesn't it!

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  8. Karen I, too use the carcass of roasted chicken to make soups. I am sure this also must be tasting delicious, will try this for sure.

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  9. I'll be making this when the weather cools off.

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