Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe: Perfect for Leftovers!

This turkey and rice soup is delicious! When we first got married and spent our first Thanksgiving with my husband’s family, my mother in law made a turkey and noodle soup the night after Thanksgiving. It was amazing! Every year after Thanksgiving, this is one of my favorite ways to use leftover turkey and turkey bones. This year, I didn’t have any egg noodles, so I used white rice instead which was just as delicious.

What type of rice is best for soup?

You can use any type of rice for soup. White long grain rice, brown rice, basmati, wild rice, and even jasmine rice work well in soup. However, if you do use wild or brown rice, make sure to cook soup long enough to fully cook these longer cooking rice options.

How long should I cook turkey bones to make turkey broth?

You should cook turkey bones in a large pot, Dutch oven, or slow cooker. This is a great way to use up turkey bone leftovers the day after your Thanksgiving feast. After picking off the majority of the turkey meat, put all of the bones into the large pot on medium-high heat. Allow the bones to simmer with salt, pepper, bay leaves, and a splash of apple cider vinegar over medium heat. (This process is the same as making chicken broth). The process takes about 6-8 hours. If you use a slow cooker on high, it takes about 4-5 hours.

What causes turkey broth to become cloudy?

If the broth boils, it will make the turkey broth cloudier. You can strain the broth if that happens, but it makes little difference in the final taste.

Why use apple cider vinegar when making turkey or chicken broth?

Adding apple cider vinegar while making the bone broth adds to the nutritional value. The vinegar pulls out more of the collagen and makes an even richer broth. Don’t worry – you don’t taste the vinegar in the broth! Try adding 1 tablespoon instead of two if you want to try it first. If you want to read more about the benefits of apple cider vinegar, read more here.

Do I need to saute the vegetables for turkey and rice soup?

Sauté the vegetables in olive oil or melted better with fresh herbs like fresh thyme. It is an extra step, but it is worth it. Chop a couple of large onions, sauté carrots and celery with some black pepper and salt.

What should I serve with the turkey and rice soup?

This leftover turkey rice soup recipe is so simple, it’s perfect for your Thanksgiving leftovers on the cold nights of late fall. We serve our turkey and rice tasty soup with yeast rolls and a green salad. If you make them yourself, you get bonus points. I just use frozen Sister Schubert’s and they are delicious.

A comforting soup is a delicious way to serve up your leftovers that is different from the traditional turkey sandwiches. It is also a lighter option after the heavy foods from Thanksgiving dinner.

What are the steps to making turkey and rice soup?

For the homemade turkey stock, prep the leftover turkey carcass (or a rotisserie chicken) by pulling the turkey meat from the bones.

Add 10 cups water to the turkey bones with salt, black pepper, bay leaves and simmer over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 hours.

In a large saucepan, heat olive oil and saute carrots, celery, and onion. Add black pepper, salt and fresh herbs until softened.

Strain broth. Combine broth, veggies, rice and turkey meat.

Allow to simmer at least 15-20 minutes for white rice, 45-50 minutes for brown or wild rice.

Hope this recipe for turkey and rice soup was helpful to you! For a delicious apple cookie recipe to serve as a dessert course, jump to this post! Happy holidays.