Turkey and Potato Soup
A classic homemade soup from Thanksgiving leftovers and hearty root vegetables.
One thing that stands out in my mind from holidays as a child, the soup. Or rather, the leftovers turned into soup. After Thanksgiving was over and bellies were full, my mom would save the turkey bones for soup. I remember her chopping up veggies and adding them to the pot along with what remained of the turkey. The aromas were perfect and wafted through the house. How can you not love freshly made stock or soup?
But that’s where my memory stops. Like mother like daughter, some items are made for yourself or for someone specific in the house. I don’t remember ever eating the soup but it did smell great. I’m sure it was the vegetables holding me back. Again, like mother like daughter since my oldest won’t touch veggies in her soup, just the noodles and broth. Can’t entirely say I blame her.
Recreating that childhood memory, one that I’m sure is common in many homes, I made soup. Only I went a step further, being a food blogger I didn’t make a turkey for the sake of making a turkey. Nope, I made a turkey for the sake of leftovers. Craziness I know but thankfully turkeys don’t require a ton of work. Even better, I got a crazy deal on a turkey last year and it’s been sitting in our deep freezer ever since.
So be prepared for a few more awesome turkey leftover recipes just in time for Thanksgiving. As awesome as cold turkey leftovers are, sometimes a good recipe for them is even better. As for this soup, it’s your classic homemade turkey noodle soup with deep flavor and chunks of tender potatoes throughout. In the future I might choose to leave out the noodles, because they have a habit of sucking up all of the liquid but it still tastes seriously amazing. Canned soup has nothing on homemade!
Homemade Turkey and Potato Soup
Ingredients
Stock ingredients:
- 1 turkey carcass
- 2 1/2 - 3 quarts water
- 1 yellow onion
- 3 celery stalks
- 3 carrots
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Soup ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/4 C celery, chopped
- 1 1/4 C carrots, chopped
- 1 C yellow onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
- Reserved turkey stock
- 3 C potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 C leftover turkey
- 1 C pasta, optional
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven of stockpot, add all stock ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 1 hour. Carefully remove bones, discard. Pour remaining liquid through a mesh strainer, into a large bowl or stockpot. Press liquid out of vegetables, then discard. Clean Dutch oven.
- Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add vegetables, cooking until lightly browned or roughly 4-5 minutes. Add bay leaves and seasonings, cooking for 1 minute. Add potatoes and turkey stock, bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Meanwhile, shred turkey and set aside. If desired, cook pasta separately until nearly done. Add turkey and optional pasta to Dutch oven, cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes. Skim off any foam. Discard bay leaves and divide among bowls.
Notes
I had the chance to try out Calphalon’s new AccuCore Roaster and AccuCore Dutch oven. When they first arrived I was surprised by the weight of the roaster! It’s not your average super lightweight and flimsy roaster. This one has weight to it, which is perfect considering it’s meant to hold up to a 25lb turkey! For a full description on the AccuCore line, read this. Not only is the line beautiful (and can act as a mirror in a pinch) but they cleaned up easily too.
Dutch ovens remind me of soup and chili, which beyond my childhood memories is what lead me to making soup in Calphalon’s new AccuCore Dutch oven. It was meant to be. I love this for it’s beauty and easy of use. It heated wonderfully but best of all it can go from stovetop (to oven) to table.
**GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED**
Giveaway details:
Courtesy of Calphalon one Baked by Rachel reader will win (1) one AccuCore Roaster and (1) one AccuCore Dutch oven. Giveaway is valued at $330.
This giveaway is open until Wednesday November 14th, 2012 at 11:59 EST. Winner must be at least 18 years old and a US resident. Winner will be randomly selected and emailed. Winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Main entry must be completed or extra entries will not count.
*Disclaimer: I received product to review and use in my home. All opinions are my own. Giveaway is sponsored by Calphalon.
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I have memories of traveling with my family to a relatives to celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanks for the chance to enter.
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My favorite Thanksgiving memory is helping my mother make her stuffing–just me and her. Sweet.
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My favorite Thanksgiving memories always involve traveling by car to either my grandmothers or sisters houses. both out of state. Sometimes thru snow or rain, sometimes with crying kids but always with anticipation for the family gathering and a delicious turkey dinner
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Thanksgiving at my grandfather’s always ended with all of us roasting in front of a roaring fire, full on turkey and pie.
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My favorite memory of Thanksgiving was last year when we were living in New Zealand. Even though they dont celebrate the holiday there, we got together with some American and Kiwi friends alike and shared our traditions. It was a lot of fun. But I am so excited to be back home again celebrating it with family this year :)
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my favorite Thanksgiving memory is preparing the turkey and Asian-inspired sides with my mother.
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Spending Thanksgiving with just my mom while my Dad, brother and husband and hunting.
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The best is of family getting together and the wonderful food. My Mother made the most wonderful, down to earth stuffing for the turkey and an oyster casserole that my Dad loved. It was also the first day of rabbit hunting and all the men would get up early to hunt and then come in, clean up and have lots of tales to tell over the feast.
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My favorite memory is the first time I got to make the Thanksgiving turkey on my own. The rave reviews had me feeling proud for days!
My favorite Thanksgiving memories involve watching football with my Dad!
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One of my favorite Thanksgiving memories is waking up the next morning to find ziploc bags of leftovers in the refrigerator and racing to get one of the last pieces of pumpkin pie for breakfast before one of my brothers, sister, or mom and dad!
I love all the memories I have cooking with my mom in the kitchen: cooking up a storm, watching the parade out the corner of of eyes, eating hot pockets at record speed because we are running behind, and groaning when dad switches to football.
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Our last Thanksgiving with my mother-in-law before she passed away is a bittersweet memory. She was receiving in home hospice care at the time, and our church brought in Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. It was such a blessing to be able to relax and simply focus on her. She passed away peacefully the morning after Thanksgiving.
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