Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup

My favorite thing to make with leftover Thanksgiving turkey is Turkey Noodle Soup. I already have a Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Noodle Soup that I love, but this time I wanted to do something a little different. My mom made a turkey for my birthday a few weeks ago and gave me the carcass, so I knew soup was definitely happening.

My daughter specifically requested a creamy noodle soup, and I was happy to oblige. That request turned into this Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup, and I knew it would be a great recipe to share for anyone looking for another way to use leftover turkey (Thanksgiving leftovers).

This soup has all of the classic ingredients you expect in turkey noodle soup, including onion, celery, carrots, turkey, and noodles. The difference is the broth. Instead of a traditional clear, brothy base, this version is rich, creamy, and extra comforting.

When it comes to noodles for homemade turkey or chicken noodle soup, I really prefer a homemade-style noodle. I do not actually make the noodles from scratch, though. I usually buy Country Pasta homemade-style noodles or Essenhaus Amish Country Homemade Noodles, both of which I can find locally and online.

Mrs. Miller’s is another homemade-style noodle brand you may be able to find. I usually keep the regular-width noodles on hand, but extra-wide noodles work well too if you prefer them.

These thicker, homemade-style noodles usually take longer to cook than standard pasta, but I think the texture is worth the extra time. You get that hearty, homemade feel without having to roll and cut noodles yourself.

One more tip when making soup with pasta is to cook the noodles separately. I like doing that for this recipe because it gives you better control over the noodles’ texture and keeps them from soaking up too much of the creamy broth. It can also make dinner come together faster since the noodles can cook in one pot while the soup simmers in another.

Ingredients for Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup

• LEFTOVER TURKEY CARCASS – The turkey carcass is used to make a flavorful homemade broth for the soup. Any bits of meat, skin, and bones left on the carcass add rich turkey flavor to the broth.
• COOKED TURKEY – Diced cooked turkey adds plenty of hearty protein to the soup. Leftover Thanksgiving turkey works well for this recipe, and both white and dark meat work.
• BUTTER – Butter is used to sauté the vegetables and adds richness to the creamy soup base. It also combines with the flour to help thicken the soup.
• ONION – Onion adds savory flavor and creates an aromatic base for the soup. Chop it fairly small, so it blends nicely with the other vegetables.
• CARROTS – Carrots add a little natural sweetness, color, and texture. Slice them evenly so they cook at the same rate.
• CELERY – Celery adds classic soup flavor and a subtle freshness that pairs especially well with turkey and noodles.
• ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR – Flour is the main thickener for the creamy broth. It helps turn the turkey stock, butter, and half-and-half into a smooth, hearty soup base.
• CHICKEN BOUILLON – Chicken bouillon boosts the broth’s savory flavor and adds extra depth. Even though this is a turkey soup, chicken bouillon works very well with the similar flavors.
• SALT – Salt brings out the flavors of the turkey, vegetables, and creamy broth. Taste before adding extra, since the turkey and bouillon may already contain some salt.
• BLACK PEPPER – Black pepper adds a mild bit of warmth and seasoning. Add as much or as little as you like.
• HALF-AND-HALF – Half-and-half is what gives this turkey noodle soup its rich, creamy texture without making it quite as heavy as using all heavy cream.
• EGG NOODLES – Egg noodles add a tender, hearty texture and make the soup especially comforting. Homemade-style egg noodles are a great choice, but regular or extra-wide egg noodles work too.

Instructions for Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup

Place the turkey carcass in a large stockpot (at least 8 quarts) and cover it completely with water. Bring the water to a boil on the stove top, then reduce the heat and let the carcass simmer for 1 hour to create a flavorful homemade turkey broth.

Carefully remove the carcass from the pot and strain the broth to remove any bones or small pieces. Once the carcass is cool enough to handle, remove any remaining turkey meat and use it as part of the 3 cups of cooked turkey needed for the soup. Set aside 12 cups of the broth for the soup. Cool and freeze any extra broth for another recipe.

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and sauté until the vegetables are almost tender.

Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle in 1/4 cup flour over the veggies. Stir well and cook for about 1 minute. Gradually pour in 4 cups of the reserved turkey broth, stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue cooking for about 2 minutes, or until it begins to thicken.

Add the remaining 8 cups of turkey broth along with the chicken bouillon, salt, black pepper, and diced turkey. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the vegetables finish cooking and the flavors come together.

While the soup is simmering, cook the egg noodles in a separate pot according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside. Cooking the noodles separately helps keep them from absorbing too much of the creamy broth.

In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup flour into the half-and-half until smooth and lump-free. Slowly pour the mixture into the soup, stirring constantly. Continue cooking over low to medium-low heat until the soup is hot, creamy, and thickened to your liking.

Stir the cooked egg noodles into the soup just before serving, or add the noodles directly to individual bowls and ladle the creamy turkey soup over the top. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this soup without a turkey carcass?
Yes. Use 12 cups of prepared turkey or chicken broth instead. The homemade broth adds extra flavor, but the soup will still be delicious with store-bought broth.

Can I use leftover Thanksgiving turkey?
Absolutely. This recipe is a great way to use leftover roasted turkey, and you can use a mix of white and dark meat.

What kind of noodles work best?
Homemade-style egg noodles are especially good in this soup because they have a hearty texture. Regular egg noodles or extra-wide egg noodles also work well.

Why should I cook the noodles separately?
Cooking them separately gives you better control over their texture and keeps them from soaking up too much of the creamy broth.

Can I use milk instead of half-and-half?
Yes, but the soup will be a little less rich and creamy. Whole milk would be the best substitute.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes. For best results, store the noodles separately and add them when reheating so they do not become too soft.

How can I make the soup thinner?
Add a little extra turkey broth or milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.

How can I make the soup thicker?
Let it simmer a little longer, or whisk a small amount of flour with cold milk or broth and gradually stir it into the soup.

Can I freeze Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup?
You can freeze the creamy broth, but the noodles may soften after thawing. For best results, freeze the soup without the noodles and add freshly cooked noodles when reheating.

What can I serve with this soup?
Bread, rolls, biscuits, garlic bread, or a simple green salad all pair well with it.

Tips and Tricks

• Save all the meat from the carcass. After making the broth, pick off any remaining turkey and count it toward the 3 cups of meat needed for the soup.
• Strain the broth well. This helps remove any small bones or bits from the carcass and gives you a smoother soup base.
• Cook the noodles separately. This keeps them from becoming mushy and prevents them from absorbing too much broth.
• Whisk the flour and half-and-half until completely smooth. Getting rid of any lumps before adding the mixture helps create a creamy, smooth soup.
• Add the noodles just before serving. Waiting until the end keeps their texture at its best, especially if you plan to have leftovers.

For more soup recipes like this, try:

• Creamy Chicken and Tortellini Soup
• Slow Cooker Roasted Vegetable Soup
• Instant Pot Tomato Basil Soup
• Easy Steak Soup

Recipe adapted from Bare Feet in the Kitchen.