While Thanksgiving is hands-down my favorite holiday of the year, there is one thing I look forward to even more than our family feast: the day-after turkey soup. Whether I was the one cooking or was sent home with a generous pile of meat, a hearty pot of turkey and vegetable soup has been my tradition for nearly all of my adult life. It’s the sort of light (yet still comforting) fare that’s always nice to tuck into the day after a big meal.
Dice up extra veggies while prepping Thanksgiving dinner
Post-Thanksgiving Turkey Vegetable Soup
Serves 4 to 6- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 medium yellow onions, diced
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds
- 3 medium celery, cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 6 cups (48 ounces) low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
- 3 cups cooked, diced turkey meat
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1. Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, stir to coat the vegetables, and cook for 1 minute more.
2. Add the broth, turkey, bay leaves, and thyme, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir once more and ladle the soup into bowls. Top with the parsley and serve.
Recipe note: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
