Delicious After the Holiday Turkey Rice Soup

Turn your holiday leftovers into a comforting bowl of perfection with this Delicious After the Holiday Turkey Rice Soup. Bursting with hearty chunks of tender turkey, vibrant vegetables, and a hint of fragrant herbs, this soup is a soul-warming way to breathe new life into post-feast ingredients. Featuring a savory broth base with long-grain white rice—or an optional wild rice blend for added depth—this recipe balances hearty and healthy flavors beautifully. Customize it with a splash of heavy cream for a luxurious, creamy texture or keep it light and brothy for a wholesome, guilt-free meal. Ready in just 50 minutes with minimal prep, it's the perfect make-ahead dish to feed a crowd or cozy up with on a chilly day. Don't forget a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a bright, flavorful finish!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 8 cups chicken or turkey stock
• 1 cup long-grain white rice (or wild rice blend)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream (optional, for a creamy version)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat until the butter is melted.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the chicken or turkey stock and bring it to a boil.

Step 5

Add the shredded turkey, rice, bay leaf, thyme, parsley, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Lower the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

Step 7

If using heavy cream, stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking to create a creamy consistency.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf and discard it. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Step 10

Serve warm and enjoy this comforting post-holiday meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3620.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2829.1

Total Fat 158.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 81.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 913.5mg	0%
Sodium 10231.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 110.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.6g	0%
Total Sugars 27.3g
Protein 227.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 577.6mg	0%
Iron 13.6mg	0%
Potassium 3909.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.3%

Protein: 32.8%

Carbs: 15.9%