Turkey noodle soup is my go-to soup after Thanksgiving. This homemade turkey noodle soup with carcass has an old-fashioned hearty flavor. Don’t let anyone throw away the turkey frame! It will help you make the most delicious soup ever. I promise!
What are the best noodles for turkey soup?
If I am not making homemade noodles I always use Reames Homestyle Egg Noodles. What are homestyle noodles? They are just like you would make at home. You will find them in the freezer section at the grocery store.
These noodles taste just like homemade without the trouble. The frozen egg noodles are a heartier, tastier alternative to the thin, dried noodles. Believe me, they make a huge taste difference in soups and casseroles and are a must in this turkey frame soup recipe.
Delicious Turkey Noodle Soup
This turkey noodle soup is a great way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey and even the turkey carcass! Once the turkey has been cooked and eaten, you are ready to make delicious turkey noodle soup!
How do you make turkey soup from leftover turkey?
No need to spend time getting all the meat off the bones. The meaty turkey frame will give the soup flavor and meat! Cut the frame in half and put it in a large pot or dutch oven with 3 quarts of water and one onion, quartered. Then reduce heat and let it simmer for about an hour and a half.
Not only will you have created a nutrient rich bone broth for the base of this turkey noodle soup, but you will also be shocked at how much turkey was left on the bones! Strain the bones from the broth. Place the turkey broth back into the pot.
Chop 4 cups of veggies of your choice! Rutabaga, broccoli, and cauliflower are some of my faves. I always use onions, carrots, and celery.
If you like you can cook the onion, celery, carrots and any other veggies you like in olive oil and butter over medium heat about 5 minutes or until softened, and then continue with the recipe. If you don’t have time just throw it all in the pot. It will taste great. This is a very versatile recipe.
Now, place the turkey meat back into the pot along with the veggies, tomatoes, and spices. Bring to a boil and then let simmer about 30 minutes.
Put about 3 cups of egg noodles into the soup. Cook for about 20 minutes until the noodles are tender.
Enjoy this rich satisfying leftover turkey soup!
What spices are good in Turkey noodle soup?
I like to keep it simple and use thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bay leaves also lend a wonderful country flavor – like grandma used to make! But I like to let all the veggies add the real flavor.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list. In addition to fresh vegetables, it also calls for one can of chopped tomatoes. Chicken bouillon (or chicken broth, if you have it) adds an extra heartiness to the stock.
Turkey Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 1 meaty turkey frame
- 12 c. water
- 1 onion quartered
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 14 oz. can chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp. thyme
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. oregano
- 1 tbsp. instant chicken bouillon granules or 1 cube, to taste
- 4 c. fresh vegetables carrots, celery, cauliflower, broccoli
- 3 c. frozen Reams egg noodles
Instructions
- Cut turkey frame in half. Put in large pot with water, onion and salt. Bring to a boil reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.
- Remove turkey frame, when cool, cut meat from frame. Strain broth. Discard bones. Return broth to pot. Stir in turkey meat, tomatoes into broth. Add oregano, thyme, bouillon granules, and pepper. Stir in fresh vegetables. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add 3 cups noodles and cook for 20 mins. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
Turkey Frame Soup Tips
This homemade turkey noodle soup really is quick and easy to prep and then just let it simmer away. This is such a great recipe because it’s also really easy to modify and make it your own. Here are a few other suggestions:
- When you are ready to eat, season with salt and black pepper at the table.
- This soup pairs great with crackers or crusty bread.
- If you don’t have a leftover turkey frame on hand, you can make this recipe without it! Chicken can be used in place of the turkey to make a delicious chicken soup.
- Or to make turkey noodle soup without carcass, add cooked turkey and some broth or stock. This cuts down the cooking time.
- If you’ve already got your stock ready, try throwing it all into a slow cooker or instant pot!
- Homemade soup makes a fantastic leftover. Freeze for a couple of months, and you’ve got a great lunch ready.
Easy Homemade Soup Recipes
Now you know how you make turkey noodle soup. It is what my family loves to have the weekend after Thanksgiving (or anytime we have and meaty turkey or chicken frame). You might like to try some of our other family favorite soup recipes:
- George’s BEST Chili – read the comments and you will see this is an award-winning recipe.
- Tomato Soup – this one is amazing with a grilled cheese sandwich!
- Zuppa Toscana – just like my favorite soup at Olive Garden!
- We love soups, especially in cooler weather! After you try our turkey noodle soup recipe, take a look at some of our other favorite soup recipes.
Laura, I think rice would work great. I think I would put a cup uncooked and let it cook in the broth. If it gets to thick add a touch more water but I think it will be fine. You could also use egg free noodles.
My little one has an egg allergy, so would rice work instead? How much and how long to cook?
Yummy in my tummy!