Turkey Carcass Soup
Utilize your leftover turkey carcass to create a hearty and flavorful soup. This Turkey Carcass Soup is not only a great way to reduce waste but also offers a comforting meal that's packed with nutrients. Serve it with crusty bread for a delightful meal.
Equipment
- 1 large stockpot
- 1 strainer or colander
- 1 cutting board
- 1 ladle
- storage containers if needed
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey carcass with some meat still attached
- 12 cups water
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 3 medium carrots chopped
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 2 cups cooked turkey meat shredded (optional)
- 1 cup frozen peas optional for added veggies
- to taste fresh parsley chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place the turkey carcass in a large stockpot and cover it with about 12 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
- Add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, minced garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary to the pot.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
- Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for about 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the broth to become rich.
- After 2 hours, remove the carcass from the pot and let it cool slightly. Strain the broth through a colander into another pot to remove the vegetables and any small bones, discarding them.
- Once the carcass is cool enough to handle, pick off any remaining turkey meat and return it to the broth. If using, add shredded turkey meat and frozen peas now.
- Let the soup simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes until heated through. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
This soup can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Feel free to add other vegetables of your choice, such as corn or green beans, for extra flavor and nutrition.
For a heartier soup, you can add noodles or rice during the last 15 minutes of cooking.