Comforting Creamy Turkey Rice Soup: An Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe (Also Great with Chicken!)
There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of soup, especially when it’s packed with flavor and nourishing ingredients. This recipe for creamy turkey rice soup offers exactly that – a truly delicious, bone-broth infused, one-dish meal that requires just 20 minutes of hands-on preparation. It’s the perfect solution for utilizing leftover cooked turkey, transforming it into something new and exciting. What’s more, this versatile recipe works just as beautifully with cooked chicken, making it a staple you’ll turn to again and again.
My kitchen is often filled with the rich aroma of homemade bone broth, crafted from turkey or chicken bones. I find immense satisfaction in transforming these nutritious broths into a variety of delectable dishes, be it a hearty soup, a flavorful sauce, or any recipe that calls for a robust liquid base. Bone broth is a cornerstone of wholesome cooking, providing essential minerals, collagen, and amino acids that support gut health, joint function, and overall well-being. It’s truly a powerhouse ingredient that elevates any meal.
Our family has a deep affection for classic poultry soups. We frequently enjoy traditional turkey noodle soup and comforting chicken noodle soup. When illness strikes, there’s nothing I’d rather serve than a restorative chicken-vegetable soup. Its warmth and gentle flavors are incredibly soothing, offering comfort and hopefully aiding in a quicker recovery.
For those evenings when we crave a little zest, my curried turkey and rice soup always hits the spot. But when it comes to pure, unadulterated comfort food, this creamy turkey rice soup stands out. It’s not just an excellent way to use up cooked turkey or chicken that you might have stored in your freezer; it’s a hug in a bowl, a truly satisfying meal that nourishes both body and soul.
Imagine serving this rich and creamy soup on a chilly winter evening. Paired with a crusty loaf of easy artisan bread or delightful simple French baguettes, it creates an unforgettable dining experience. The contrasting textures of the creamy soup and crispy bread are simply divine, making for a truly memorable and satisfying meal.
Beyond its incredible taste and comforting qualities, this soup is a powerhouse of healthy, hearty ingredients. It features nutrient-dense brown rice, a colorful array of fresh vegetables, and the aforementioned beneficial bone broth, all combining to create an easy, wholesome, one-dish dinner. Brown rice adds fiber and complex carbohydrates, providing sustained energy, while the vegetables contribute essential vitamins and minerals.
One of the best aspects of this creamy rice soup is how its flavors deepen and meld beautifully over a few days in the refrigerator. This makes it an ideal meal prep recipe, perfect for packing into lunches throughout the week. Don’t hesitate to make a generous pot – you’ll be glad to have the delicious leftovers ready to enjoy!
Crafting Your Creamy Turkey Rice Soup: The Recipe
This recipe is designed for ease and maximum flavor, turning simple ingredients into a gourmet experience. With minimal active cooking time, you can create a meal that tastes like it simmered all day. The key is in the quality of your ingredients and following a few straightforward steps.
Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Rice Soup
Gathering the right components is the first step to a magnificent soup. This recipe focuses on fresh, wholesome ingredients that come together harmoniously. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cooked Turkey (or Chicken): The star protein, providing substance and flavor. This is where your leftovers shine!
- Brown Rice: Adds a nutty flavor and chewy texture, along with beneficial fiber.
- Fresh Vegetables: A vibrant mix of onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and peas forms the aromatic base and adds nutritional value. Optional potatoes contribute extra heartiness.
- Dairy/Dairy-Free Liquid: Milk, cream, or coconut milk (for a dairy-free option) provides the signature creaminess.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper, adjusted to your taste, enhance all the natural flavors.
And, of course, a high-quality broth is indispensable. I wholeheartedly recommend using homemade bone broth. My go-to is an easy slow cooker chicken or turkey bone broth, which is incredibly simple to prepare. I collect bones from roasted chickens or turkeys, along with vegetable scraps I keep stashed in the freezer. Simply combine them in the slow cooker with water and let it simmer on low for 18-24 hours. After straining, I freeze the rich broth in quart jars, making it readily available for recipes like this. It’s a cost-effective and deeply flavorful base that truly makes a difference in the final taste and nutritional profile of your soup.
Simple Steps for a Hearty and Creamy Soup
Creating this delicious soup is a straightforward process, but there’s a key detail to remember: since we’re using pre-cooked poultry, we’ll hold off on adding it until the very end, once the rice is fully cooked. This is a crucial step to prevent the meat from becoming tough and losing its delicate flavor, a common pitfall in soup making that can truly diminish the overall taste.
The cooking steps are easy to follow and ensure a perfectly balanced soup:
- Sauté the Vegetables: Begin by cooking your fresh vegetables (onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and optional potatoes) in butter or oil in a large soup pot until they soften. This step builds the foundational flavor of your soup.
- Thicken with Flour: Lightly sprinkle flour over the softened vegetables and stir to coat. This acts as a thickening agent, creating that desired creamy consistency. If you need a gluten-free option, cornstarch or potato starch can be added at the end.
- Simmer with Broth and Rice: Gradually add the bone broth, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Stir in the brown rice, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until the rice is tender, allowing it to absorb the rich flavors of the broth and vegetables.
- Final Additions for Creaminess and Flavor: Only after the rice is perfectly cooked do you incorporate the cooked turkey or chicken, frozen peas, and milk or cream. Heat through for just a few minutes, ensuring everything is warmed without overcooking the delicate protein.
Turkey or Chicken? Your Choice for Deliciousness!
As I’ve highlighted, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. It effortlessly transforms into a delightful creamy chicken rice soup by simply substituting turkey broth and cooked turkey meat with their chicken counterparts. The process and delicious outcome remain the same.
In fact, I often plan my meals around this versatility. One night, I might roast a spiced slow cooker whole chicken. After enjoying the main meal, I’ll use the leftover bones to prepare a batch of homemade broth in the slow cooker overnight. This perfectly sets the stage for making this creamy rice soup (or one of the other wonderful soups mentioned earlier) for the next evening’s meal. Having the cooked meat off the bones and your broth ready a day in advance truly streamlines the process, allowing this incredible soup to come together in about an hour of active cooking time. So, are you ready to prepare a warm, comforting, and utterly satisfying bowl of soup for tomorrow?
Reader Rave:
“Best soup ever!” – Billie
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Creamy Turkey Rice Soup (or Chicken)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter (or oil for dairy free)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 to 5 carrots, peeled & chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped (optional)*
- 1/3 cup flour**
- 8 cups turkey or chicken broth (preferably this Easy Homemade Chicken Broth)
- 1 cup brown rice
- 3 cups cooked turkey (or chicken)
- 1 cups frozen peas
- 1/2-3/4 cup whole milk, or half & half (or use 1 can coconut milk for dairy free)
- 2 to 4 teaspoons salt, to taste (use the larger amount if using unsalted broth)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, carrots, celery and potatoes, if using. Cook about 5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
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Add the flour and stir to coat vegetables. Slowly pour in the stock, stirring as you do, to incorporate the flour well.
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Add rice to the broth-vegetable mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook about 45 minutes or until rice is tender.
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Add the remaining ingredients (turkey, peas, milk, salt and pepper) and simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes more.
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Taste soup, adjust seasonings if needed, and serve.
Notes
**To make gluten free: omit flour at the step in the recipe and use 1 tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch (mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water), adding it when you add the turkey and peas. Stir to thicken and cook as directed to warm everything through.
Make Ahead: Like many soups, this is even better the next day, so it’s a perfect make-ahead meal. It also freezes well.
Nutrition
Creamy Turkey Rice Soup FAQs and Tips
Here are some frequently asked questions and useful tips to help you make the most of your creamy turkey rice soup, ensuring it’s perfect every time and adaptable to various dietary needs and preferences.
Absolutely! To achieve a rich, dairy-free creaminess, simply substitute the milk or half & half with a can of full-fat coconut milk. Don’t worry, it won’t impart any noticeable coconut flavor to your savory soup; it will purely contribute to that luxurious, creamy texture we’re aiming for.
Yes, this soup is wonderfully versatile when it comes to vegetables! Feel free to customize it based on what you have on hand or what your family enjoys. Chopped spinach can be added right at the end for a boost of greens. Heartier leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard can be added along with the other initial vegetables to give them time to tenderize. You can also swap the optional potatoes with other root vegetables like peeled and chopped turnips, parsnips, or even sweet potatoes, which add a lovely sweetness. In the past, I’ve successfully incorporated chopped sweet red peppers with the onion mixture for an extra pop of color and flavor. So, yes – experiment with your favorite vegetables and make this soup uniquely yours!
This soup actually freezes quite well, making it an excellent option for future quick meals. While the rice may soften a bit more after thawing and reheating, we’ve found it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment or deliciousness of the soup. To freeze, allow the soup to cool completely, then portion it into airtight freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat on the stovetop, adding a splash of extra broth or milk if needed to reach your desired consistency. Leftovers stored in the refrigerator will be delicious for 3-4 days, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
More Delicious Soups to Make With Poultry
If you’ve enjoyed this creamy turkey rice soup, you’re in for a treat with these other fantastic poultry-based soup recipes. Each offers a unique flavor profile and is a wonderful way to utilize leftover turkey or chicken, ensuring no delicious morsel goes to waste.
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I hope this extensive guide inspires you to create your own nourishing and comforting bowl of creamy turkey rice soup. It’s a testament to how simple, wholesome ingredients and a little love can transform humble leftovers into a truly spectacular meal. Whether you use turkey or chicken, and whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply preparing for future lunches, this recipe is sure to become a cherished addition to your culinary repertoire. Enjoy the warmth and flavor!
This recipe has been updated and enhanced – it was originally published in February 2014.