Homemade Mom's Turkey Soup (Print version)

A cozy leftover turkey soup with homemade broth, tender vegetables, shredded turkey, and egg noodles.

# Ingredients:

For the turkey broth

01 - 1 cooked turkey carcass, from a 10- to 14-lb turkey, most meat removed
02 - 10 cups (2.4 L) cold water, or enough to cover bones by 1 inch
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
04 - 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
05 - 1 large carrot, roughly chopped
06 - 1 bay leaf
07 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns

For the soup

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
11 - 3 medium carrots, sliced
12 - 3 celery stalks, sliced
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 8 cups (1.9 L) strained turkey broth
15 - 3 cups (420 g) cooked turkey, shredded or chopped
16 - 2 cups (120 g) dry egg noodles
17 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
18 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Instructions:

01 - Remove the good meat from the turkey carcass and reserve 3 cups for the soup. Break the bones into pieces so they fit in a large pot.
02 - Place the carcass, water, quartered onion, celery, carrot, bay leaf, thyme, and peppercorns in a large stockpot. Bring just to a boil, then lower to a gentle simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
03 - Strain the broth through a colander into a large bowl or clean pot. Discard the bones and cooked vegetables. Skim excess fat from the surface.
04 - Heat olive oil in the clean pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Cook for 6-8 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
05 - Pour in 8 cups of strained broth. Add the reserved turkey, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, until the vegetables are almost tender.
06 - Stir in the egg noodles and simmer for 7-9 minutes, until tender. Taste and adjust salt, then stir in parsley before serving.

# Good to know:

01 - Cook noodles separately if you plan to store leftovers.
02 - Homemade broth can be made up to 3 days ahead.
03 - Freeze the soup without noodles for the best texture.

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