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What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

Last Updated on November 28, 2021 by Jean Choi 2 Comments

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Grab a copy of my cookbook, Korean Paleo: 80 Bold-Flavored, Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes!

This delicious and quick leftover turkey soup is so easy in the Instant Pot! Packed with turkey, veggies, and rice – it’s a true comfort food and you can choose use the whole carcass. Paleo and Whole30-friendly as well!

leftover turkey and rice soup in a bowl served with a spoon

I’m one of those people who aren’t a huge fan of turkey on Thanksgiving, but I’ll always take all the leftovers. I just love making casseroles, dips, soups, and salads out of the cooked meat way more than eating it on its own. And within a few days after Thanksgiving, I always end up making turkey soup with leftover turkey meat. It’s just so comforting and delicious, and most importantly, SO quick and easy when I feel like I’m sick of cooking.

Watch a Quick Video of this Recipe

Quick Leftover Turkey Soup in the Instant Pot

I’ve made many kinds of soup using leftover turkey for years, but this one might be my favorite. It’s the perfect texture with balanced flavors from the addition of veggies and lemon juice, and I’m sad I didn’t make more. I like to make leftover turkey soup with rice added, but if you want make a paleo or Whole30 version without it.

Ingredients to make quick leftover turkey soup

Ingredients in Leftover Turkey and Rice Soup

One great thing about this Thanksgiving turkey leftover soup is that you probably have all the ingredients on hand after all the cooking you did over the holidays. It’s a simple and budget-friendly list of ingredients that come together to make the the best leftover turkey soup.

  • cooked turkey meat: You can use white or dark meat, or a mixture of both!
  • turkey carcass or bones: This is completely optional, but I highly recommend you add it if you have it on hand. It’ll make a delicious leftover turkey carcass soup with amazing flavors. It also makes bone broth in the process!
  • ghee: I love using ghee for my cooking, but you can use any cooking oil you have on hand. If using ghee, you can make your own or this is my favorite brand to purchase.
  • onion
  • celery
  • carrots
  • garlic
  • thyme: I love the flavor of fresh thyme but you can use 1/3 amount of dried thyme instead.
  • chicken broth: Water can be used instead of you end up using turkey carcass. The bones will add enough flavor to the water.
  • white rice: This is another optional ingredient. If you are making paleo or Whole30 leftover turkey soup, you can just omit this.
  • salt
  • ground black pepper
  • lemon juice
  • parsley
Squeezing a lemon into Instant Pot soup

How to Make Turkey Soup From Leftovers

Making soup with leftover Thanksgiving turkey is really easy and you don’t need too much meat either. I highly recommend using the bones and the carcass, but you don’t have to. It’s a really versatile recipe depending on what you have on hand. Here’s how to make soup out of turkey leftovers in the Instant Pot:

  1. Remove turkey meat from the bones and dice it until you have 2 cups. If available, save the bones to add to the soup.
  2. Turn on Instant Pot to Sauté and melt ghee (or your favorite cooking oil into the pot.
  3. Add onion, celery, and carrots, and cook stirring for 5 minutes until softened.
  4. Add garlic and thyme, and cooking stirring for 1 minute.
  5. Turn off the Instant Pot, then add turkey, any turkey bones (if using), chicken broth (or water if adding bones), rice (if using), salt and pepper.
  6. Stir together, then secure the lid. Cook on HIGH for 10 minutes. Once it beeps to a finish, release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. Manually release remaining pressure.
  7. Squeeze in lemon juice and remove any turkey carcass and bones. Taste to add more salt, if needed.
  8. Serve in a bowl, sprinkled with parsley.

That’s it! Delicious and easy soup with leftover turkey, and it’ll take care of dinner for the whole family quickly in the Instant Pot.

easy soup with leftover turkey in a bowl with a spoon

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

Do I have to adjust the recipe if I’m making Whole30 or paleo leftover turkey soup?

Yes – you can easily make grain free Whole30 leftover turkey rice by omitting the rice. If going this route, reduce the broth or water my 1 cup and cook it the same exact way.

Do I need the turkey carcass for this recipe?

You don’t need it, but it adds so much flavor! If you don’t have turkey carcass or if you just don’t feel comfortable with it, make sure add chicken broth or bone broth, instead of water, when making the soup.

Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh?

Yes. Since dried thyme is more potent in flavor, use 1/3 the amount of fresh thyme.

How long will leftovers last?

This quick leftover turkey soup will last 3-4 days, stored in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze for up to 3-4 months!

Close up shot of a comforting soup

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like…

  • Instant Pot Chicken Soup (Paleo, Whole30, AIP, Keto)
  • Leftover Rice Dak Juk (Korean Rice Porridge)
  • Paleo White Chicken Chili (Whole30, Keto)
  • Easy Chili Con Carne (Paleo, Whole30)
  • Instant Pot Whole30 Chili with Spaghetti Squash
leftover turkey soup in. a bowl

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe

This delicious and quick leftover turkey soup is so easy in the Instant Pot! Packed with turkey, veggies, and rice – it's a true comfort food and you can choose use the whole carcass. Paleo and Whole30-friendly as well!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: instant pot leftover turkey soup recipe, leftover turkey and rice soup, leftover turkey carcass soup, leftover turkey soup with rice
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Pressurizing & Depressurizing Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 283kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked turkey meat white and/or dark meat
  • Optional: any turkey carcass or bones
  • 1 tbsp ghee or your favorite cooking oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 5 cups chicken broth or water, if using bones (use 6 cups if adding rice)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup white rice omit for paleo & Whole30
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Remove turkey meat from any bones and dice until you have 2 cups. If you want, save the bones to add to the soup.
  • Turn on Instant Pot to Sauté and add ghee into the pot.
  • Once hot, add onion, celery, and carrots, and cook stirring for 5 minutes until softened.
  • Add garlic and thyme, and stir for 1 minute.
  • Turn off the Instant Pot, then add turkey, any turkey bones (if using), chicken broth (or water if adding bones), rice (if using), salt and pepper.
  • Stir and secure the lid. Cook on HIGH for 10 minutes. Release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release remaining pressure.
  • Add lemon juice and remove any turkey carcass and bones. Taste to add more salt, if needed.
  • Serve in a bowl, sprinkled with parsley.
Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 serving – makes 4)
Calories 283 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 63mg21%
Sodium 1745mg76%
Potassium 668mg19%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 5216IU104%
Vitamin C 27mg33%
Calcium 74mg7%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Video

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By Jean Choi | November 28, 2021

Comments

  1. Loan Nguyen says

    January 31, 2022 at 8:35 pm

    5 stars
    My mom isn’t a fan of leftover Thanksgiving Turkey, but that comes from the fact that she’s an immigrant from Southeast Asia. She loved this recipe. It was like having Chao (Vietnamese porriage). She enjoyed it with a spoonful of her homemade spicy chili garlic oil.

    Reply
  2. Shannon says

    August 10, 2022 at 11:57 pm

    Thank you, Great recipe!
    You should join this Instant Pot Tips & Recipes Facebook group. I got a lot of new ideas and recipes. highly recommended! Here is a link to the group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/434020724110015/

    Reply

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Welcome!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate I’m Jean and I’m a Nutritional Therapist (NTP) living in Southern California with my husband and 2 dog babies. On WGGA, you’ll find simple and easy gluten-, dairy-, and processed sugar-free recipes that focus on quality nutrients, and of course, never sacrifice on taste. I believe that the food you love should love you back, making you feel amazing inside and out. I apologize in advance for my inappropriate jokes and misunderstood sarcasm! More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
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  • W3Whole 30

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