The Day After Turkey and Rice Soup

Transform your holiday leftovers into comfort in a bowl with "The Day After Turkey and Rice Soup"! This easy, flavorful recipe is the perfect way to repurpose cooked turkey, paired with tender rice and a medley of aromatic vegetables like onion, carrots, and celery. Simmered in a savory turkey or chicken stock and seasoned with fragrant thyme, rosemary, and a hint of garlic, this hearty soup is a celebration of cozy, homemade flavors. Ready in under an hour and customizable with fresh parsley or a splash of lemon juice for added brightness, it’s ideal for warming up cold winter days while reducing food waste. Whether served as a light lunch or satisfying dinner, this leftover turkey soup will become a post-holiday tradition your family will love!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked turkey (shredded or diced)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large yellow onion (diced)
• 2 medium carrots (sliced into rounds)
• 2 medium celery stalks (sliced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup uncooked rice (white or brown)
• 8 cups turkey stock (or chicken stock)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the uncooked rice to the pot, stirring to coat it in the butter and vegetables.

Step 5

Pour in the turkey stock and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 6

Add the dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to incorporate the seasonings.

Step 7

Lower the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

Step 8

Stir in the leftover turkey and cook for another 5 minutes to heat through.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If desired, stir in chopped fresh parsley and a splash of lemon juice for brightness.

Step 10

Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle into bowls and enjoy warm!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3281.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2262.0

Total Fat 54.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Cholesterol 649.1mg	0%
Sodium 9974.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 205.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.1g	0%
Total Sugars 15.9g
Protein 251.9g	0%

Vitamin D 4.5IU	0%
Calcium 404.2mg	0%
Iron 15.8mg	0%
Potassium 3482.0mg	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: 21.0%

Protein: 43.5%

Carbs: 35.5%