Turkey Carcass Soup

Step away from the trash can! Put what's left of your holiday meal to good use by making a hearty turkey carcass soup. This wholesome recipe is not only incredibly delicious and wholesome, it's a great (and budget-friendly) way to reduce food waste.

What Is a Turkey Carcass?

A turkey carcass is what's left after you finish a whole turkey. Instead of throwing the carcass away, some people like to use every bit of the bird by making stock or soup.

The bones and remaining scraps of meat add rich flavor to the broth, ensuring you get every bit of deliciousness out of your holiday dinner.

How to Make Soup With a Turkey Carcass

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this satisfying turkey soup:

1. Make the broth: Place the turkey carcass in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and continue cooking until the remaining meat falls off the bone. Remove and chop the meat and discard the bones. Strain the broth into a clean soup pot.
2. Make the soup: Add the chopped turkey to the strained broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Cook until the vegetables are tender.

What to Serve With Turkey Carcass Soup

This no-waste meal is a great way to use up more of your Thanksgiving leftovers. Rolls, cornbread, stuffing, or biscuits would pair perfectly with turkey soup.

Get more ideas:

How to Store Turkey Carcass Soup

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Can You Freeze Turkey Carcass Soup?

Yes, you can freeze turkey carcass soup. Let the soup cool, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container (in individual portions if you're not planning to eat it all at once). Make sure to leave about 1-inch remaining at the top of the container, as the soup will expand as it freezes.

Freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This is now my favorite soup recipe," says . "I removed the potatoes to cut down on the carbs, but added bow tie pasta. It was so flavorful and delicious and the stock really created the taste. I absolutely loved it!"

"This soup is delicious," according to . "I made the soup as directed, but added some chicken bouillon for more flavor. It was the best soup I've ever made."

"Best soup I ever made," raves . "We had a smoked turkey for Thanksgiving. It was amazing in this soup."

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