Turkey soup is a delicious and healthy way to use up the leftover turkey carcass from Thanksgiving dinner. Making soup from the carcass is a great way to get the most out of your turkey, and it’s also a great way to add healthy nutrients to your diet. Turkey soup is very easy to make and there are many variations depending on what ingredients you have in your pantry. In this article, we will show you how to make a basic turkey soup recipe using a turkey carcass.

To make turkey soup, all you need is a few basic ingredients, including your turkey carcass, vegetables, herbs, and spices. That’s it! Once you have these ingredients, you can start cooking the soup. The first step is to simmer the turkey carcass in water for several hours to extract all the nutrients and flavor. After that, you can add your vegetables and spices and let the soup simmer for another hour or so until everything is cooked through. It’s that simple! So, let’s take a look at how to make turkey soup with a carcass in detail.

Gather Your Ingredients

Before you start making your delicious turkey soup, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Apart from the turkey carcass, you’ll also need:

1. Vegetables:

You can choose any vegetable of your choice, but some of the commonly used ones include onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and potatoes. These vegetables will add a lot of flavor and nutrients to your soup.

2. Spices:

You can use any spices or herbs of your choice, but some of the commonly used ones include bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. A pinch of each spice can elevate the flavor of your soup to another level.

3. Stock or Water:

You need to add a good amount of stock or water to your turkey soup. The stock will give a rich and robust flavor to your soup compared to water. However, if you don’t have stock, water will work just fine.

4. Optional Ingredients:

You can also add some optional ingredients such as noodles, rice, barley, or any other grains that you prefer.

Cooking Your Turkey Soup

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to start cooking your turkey soup.

1. Boil the Turkey Carcass:

Put the turkey carcass in a large pot and add enough water to cover it. Boil the carcass for at least an hour or until the meat falls off the bones. Remove the carcass from the pot and let it cool down.

2. Saute Vegetables:

While the turkey is boiling, you can sauté the vegetables in a separate pan. Add some oil to the pan and cook the onions until they are soft. Then, add the carrots, celery, and garlic and cook them until they are fragrant and tender.

3. Add the Spices:

Once the vegetables are cooked, add the spices to the pot. Pour in the stock or water and bring the liquid to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for at least 30 minutes to an hour.

4. Add Optional Ingredients:

If you wish to add any optional ingredients, this is the time to do it. You can add cooked noodles, rice, or barley and let them simmer until they are cooked through.

5. Serve and Enjoy:

Your turkey soup is now ready to be served. Ladle the soup into bowls, and enjoy it hot with your favorite side dishes or bread. You can also store it in the refrigerator or freezer to enjoy later.

Creating a Flavorful Broth

Creating a flavorful broth is a crucial step in making delicious turkey soup. Follow these tips to make sure your broth is top-notch:

1. Start with Cold Water

Don’t be tempted to use hot water to speed up the cooking process. Starting with cold water gives the ingredients time to release their flavors slowly, resulting in a richer, more complex broth.

2. Add Aromatics

Adding aromatics like onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot will create a fragrant base for your broth. Sauté the vegetables before adding the turkey carcass to bring out their flavors.

3. Use Fresh Herbs

Adding fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley to your broth will give it a little extra something special. Tie the herbs together with kitchen twine for easy removal later on.

4. Don’t Skimp on the Salt

Proper seasoning is key to a delicious broth. Don’t be afraid to add plenty of salt to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.

5. Be Patient

Simmer the broth slowly over low heat, giving the ingredients time to meld together. A longer cooking time will result in a richer, more flavorful broth.

6. Skim Off Any Foam

As the broth simmers, foam may rise to the top. Skim it off with a spoon and discard to keep the broth clear and free of impurities.

7. Strain the Broth

Once the broth has simmered to perfection, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids. This will give your soup a smooth, velvety texture.

8. Chill the Broth

Once you’ve strained the broth, let it cool to room temperature before storing it in the fridge. Chilling the broth will allow excess fat to rise to the top, making it easier to skim off later.

9. Freeze the Broth

If you’re not making soup right away, freeze the broth in smaller portions for later use. This way, you’ll always have a supply of homemade broth on hand.

10. Use the Broth in a Variety of Recipes

Don’t limit yourself to just turkey soup – use your broth to make a variety of other dishes like risotto, gravy, or even a hearty stew. Your homemade broth will take any recipe to the next level of deliciousness!

3. Cooking the Turkey Soup

Now that you have all the ingredients in place, it’s time to cook the turkey soup. Follow these simple steps to turn your turkey carcass into a delicious soup:

Step Description
1 Take the turkey carcass and place it in a large pot. Cover the carcass with water, making sure it is fully submerged. Add in the chopped vegetables and herbs, as well as the bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat.
2 Once the soup has come to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 2 hours. As it simmers, skimp off the foam from the surface so you have a clear broth. This process ensures that the soup is not cloudy, and it also helps to remove bits of fat from the broth.
3 After 2 hours of simmering, remove the turkey carcass from the pot. Using tongs, carefully remove all bones that are now loose. This step will ensure that you’re left with only the meaty bits in the soup. Be sure to discard all the bones and any other unwanted bits.
4 Add in your vegetables and let them cook. Add salt and pepper to taste, and let the soup simmer until the vegetables are tender. This should take an additional 15-20 minutes.
5 Once your vegetables are tender, your turkey soup is ready to serve. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Enjoy the delicious, hearty soup!

The Perfect Accompaniment to Your Turkey Soup

Nothing pairs better with a bowl of turkey soup than freshly baked bread. A warm, crusty baguette or a soft garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to this heartwarming soup. Alternatively, you could serve the turkey soup with some crackers or a simple salad for a more well-rounded meal.

How to Store Turkey Soup

If you have leftovers, which you likely will, you can store the turkey soup for later. Simply let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Be sure to keep it in the fridge for no more than three days. Alternatively, you could freeze the soup for up to three months.

Final Thoughts

Turkey soup with carcass is a delicious and comforting meal. With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can turn your leftover turkey carcass into a delicious and hearty soup that’s perfect for warming up on a cold winter day. So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!

Time to Get Cooking!

Congratulations! You now know how to make turkey soup with a carcass. Not only is it a great way to use up leftovers, but it’s also a delicious and wholesome meal. So why not try it out for yourself and enjoy the savory flavors with your loved ones? Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Come back again soon for more tasty recipes and tips! Happy cooking!