This Turkey Orzo Soup is a perfect use for leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Try substituting Sunday's leftover roasted chicken too!
I love that the cooler weather is approaching. It means more soup like this Turkey Orzo Soup. I will purposely buy a whole turkey or just the breast and roast it on a Sunday afternoon, knowing that I will almost always have leftovers.
The recipe below calls for chicken or vegetable broth; however, I've also used homemade turkey stock made from boiling the carcass with some onions, celery and carrots after all the meat has been carved from the bone.
How do you make Leftover Turkey Orzo Soup?
Start by heating a little oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over low heat; then add chopped carrots, onion and celery. Allow the vegetables to sweat and soften for approximately 3-5 minutes.
Next, add chopped parsley, cubed leftover cooked turkey, broth, water and orzo; mix well. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked through.
Can you use Chicken instead?
Yes you can! Use that leftover Sunday whole roasted chicken or even purchase a store bought rotisserie chicken. They're inexpensive and make a great alternative to making your own.
This Turkey Orzo Soup is simple to make and really warms you from the inside out on a cool day. Don't forget to check out some other ways to utilize those Thanksgiving leftovers. ~Enjoy!
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Turkey Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup diced carrots
- Ā¼ cup diced red onion
- Ā½ cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced cooked turkey
- 6 cups chicken broth
- Ā½ cup dry orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Ā¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat; then add the carrots, onion and celery. Allow the vegetables to sweat and soften for approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Next, add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked through.
Nutrition
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THE BLUEST BUTTERFLY says
I love turkey soup but I would really like some orzo soon (often hard to find at the grocery). The next time we find both turkey and orzo, this soup will be on the menu. I would freeze a turkey in anticipation of this recipe but we need a bigger freezer before I can start freezing anything in anticipation...sigh.
Carrie Farias says
Thank you for stopping by. If you can't find orzo, you can substitute any small pasta like ditalini or pastina or even rice. Enjoy!
Kirsten says
Carrie,
I've got orzo, now I need to get the turkey. Today I made a local meatball soup (I grew the celery, veggies from the farm share, shoot even the cow was from my neighbor's friend's farm so local) and I'm really thinking soup weather is here to stay.
Thanks for a delicious looking recipe!
Carrie Farias says
That sounds great too Kirsten and I think you're right, soup weather is here to stay! š
Turkey Package Tours says
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Dawn says
Can you freeze this soup
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
Sure! Place in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Sharon Rush says
Can you also use left over rotisserie chicken in your soup.
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
Absolutely!