Easy Leftover Turkey Soup

Category: Warm, Comforting Soups & Stews

This warm dish is a great way to use leftover turkey. It’s loaded with soft veggies, pearl couscous, and fresh herbs. Quick to make and perfect for cozy nights at home!

Emily Watson
By Emily Watson Emily Watson
Last updated on Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:19:22 GMT
A bowl of turkey soup loaded with chunks of turkey, carrots, celery, and couscous. Garnished with parsley and served with bread on the side. Pin
A bowl of turkey soup loaded with chunks of turkey, carrots, celery, and couscous. Garnished with parsley and served with bread on the side. | thefamilycooks.com

Heartwarming Turkey Soup That Transforms Leftovers

I'm crazy about turning holiday extras into something wonderful. This Turkey Soup becomes my comfort go-to when all the celebrations wind down. Mixing soft turkey chunks with garden-fresh veggies and herbs takes me right back to cooking with grandma. I've thrown in some pearl couscous for that extra touch – and believe me, this bowl will hug your insides when it's cold outside.

What Makes This Soup Our Must-Have

Wondering what to do with that turkey sitting in your fridge? This soup comes together in no time and tastes absolutely amazing. I prefer fresh herbs and homemade broth when possible, but the store-bought stuff works perfectly too. The pearl couscous gives it such a nice little upgrade that my children always want more. And you can cook it beforehand, which saves time on hectic days.

Items You'll Want Ready

  • Main Player: Leftover turkey works wonders here though I've switched to grocery rotisserie chicken many times with fantastic results.
  • Flavor Foundation: Gather onions, carrots and celery plus any leftover roasted vegetables hiding in your fridge.
  • Liquid Gold: Homemade turkey broth tastes incredible but chicken stock does the job fine – and hey, bouillon cubes are totally acceptable.
  • Green Additions: Thyme, parsley, rosemary, bay leaves and garlic create an amazing aroma throughout your kitchen.
  • My Hidden Gem: Israeli couscous adds a delightful chewiness but you can swap in rice or pasta too.
A bowl of chicken soup filled with shredded chicken, carrots, corn, and herbs in a clear broth. Pin
A bowl of chicken soup filled with shredded chicken, carrots, corn, and herbs in a clear broth. | thefamilycooks.com

My Simple Cooking Steps

Begin With Aromatics
Warm some butter and olive oil in your largest pot then sauté those carrots, onions and celery until they release their wonderful smell.
Add Key Ingredients
Dump in your broth, mix in turkey pieces, garlic, bay leaves and thyme then wait for everything to start bubbling.
Drop In The Couscous
Add pearl couscous and simmer around 10 minutes until it reaches the perfect tenderness.
Last Steps
Remove those bay leaves, scatter fresh herbs on top and enjoy with a chunk of your favorite bread.

Tricks For Better Soup

Wanna know the real magic behind this bowl? Making stock from scratch changes everything if you've got the time. I always cook vegetables in butter for that extra richness. Need a gluten-free version? Just swap in rice instead of couscous. Got roasted veggies leftover? Throw them in too! Just remember to heat it up only once to keep flavors bright. It stays good in the fridge for 3-4 days or freezes nicely for up to 3 months.

Perfect Pairings For Your Bowl

Want to take this soup up another notch? Try it with a hunk of crusty bread or my special cheese toast. Just take some sourdough or rye, rub a garlic clove over it, sprinkle cheese on top and stick it under the broiler till it bubbles and turns golden. There's nothing better than this combo for dinner at home when you want to feel cozy.

A bowl of hearty chicken soup filled with vegetables, including carrots and potatoes, garnished with fresh herbs. Pin
A bowl of hearty chicken soup filled with vegetables, including carrots and potatoes, garnished with fresh herbs. | thefamilycooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions About the Recipe

→ Can regular couscous replace pearl couscous?

It can! But remember, regular couscous cooks super fast. In about 5 minutes, it’s ready. Just know the texture of your soup will be different.

→ How many days will this soup stay good in the fridge?

It’ll keep for about 3-4 days in a sealed container in the fridge. Plus, the flavors get even better the next day!

→ Can I freeze this soup?

Totally! It freezes great for up to three months. Make sure it’s completely cool before freezing. When reheating, add broth if it feels too thick since couscous soaks up liquid.

→ What if I don’t have fresh herbs?

No worries! Use dried herbs. Swap 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme for fresh sprigs, and 1 teaspoon dried parsley works in place of fresh.

→ Can I add different vegetables?

For sure! Toss in peas, corn, green beans, or whatever you’ve got. Just add them closer to the end so they don’t overcook.

Easy Turkey Soup

Turn extra turkey into a hearty soup with soft veggies and couscous. Quick, simple, and just right for cold nights. Works with chicken too!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
By Emily Watson: Emily Watson

Recipe Category: Soups & Stews

Skill Level: Beginner

Cuisine Type: European, American

Makes: 6 Serves (1 pot)

Dietary Preferences: Low-Carb, Dairy-Free

What You’ll Need

01 1 tbsp butter.
02 1 tbsp olive oil.
03 1 large carrot.
04 2 celery stalks.
05 1 onion or 2 shallots.
06 1 garlic clove.
07 6 cups chicken or turkey stock.
08 1/2 cup pearl couscous.
09 2 cups cooked chicken or turkey.
10 1 tbsp chopped parsley.
11 4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried.
12 2 bay leaves.
13 Salt and pepper, as needed.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

Melt butter and add oil in a big pot.

Step 02

Dice garlic, carrot, celery, and onion.

Step 03

Let veggies cook gently with thyme for about 5 minutes.

Step 04

Stir in the stock.

Step 05

Toss in the turkey and bay leaves.

Step 06

Let it come to a bubbling boil.

Step 07

Throw in salt and pepper to your taste.

Step 08

Mix in the pearl couscous.

Step 09

Simmer for 10 minutes until the couscous softens.

Step 10

Scatter fresh parsley on top.

Step 11

Dish it up nice and warm.

Additional Notes

  1. Use either homemade or store-bought stock.
  2. Swap couscous for noodles if you'd like.
  3. Perfect to use up leftover turkey or a rotisserie chicken.

Essential Tools

  • A big soup pot.
  • Knife for chopping.
  • Cutting board.

Allergen Information

Check each ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
  • Contains wheat due to the couscous.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

These details are for guidance only and don't replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 142
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Proteins: 9 g