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My mom showed me how to turn Thanksgiving scraps into the most amazing meal ever! I watched her work magic with that turkey carcass for years before I got the hang of it myself. When you mix that super flavorful homemade broth with soft veggies and big pieces of leftover turkey, you get something truly special. I nearly cried when I made it by myself and mom told me it tasted just like hers - talk about winning!
What Makes This Soup Incredible
This goes way beyond regular turkey soup! When you make your own broth from those leftover bones, you get this amazing flavor that store-bought stuff just can't match. My brother-in-law actually said after our last Thanksgiving that he enjoyed this soup more than the main meal. And my normally picky kids who always want leftover pizza now ask for this soup instead!
Ingredients You'll Want
- For Your Homemade Broth: The entire turkey skeleton nothing wasted, Chunky carrots unpeeled, Crunchy celery stalks, Yellow onion, Several whole garlic cloves, Aromatic bay leaves, Black peppercorns
- For Your Finished Soup: Extra vegetables finely diced, Chunks of turkey meat, Your egg noodles of choice, Family secret seasoning mix, Bright fresh parsley to finish
Cooking Instructions
- Getting That Rich Broth
- We start by making our flavor foundation! Toss everything in your largest cooking pot and let it bubble away slowly. Your whole house will smell fantastic like you're having the holiday all over again. I always laugh when family members keep wandering into the kitchen asking what smells so good!
- Building Your Soup
- After we've got our amazing broth ready, in go the freshly cut veggies and turkey pieces. There's something really satisfying about watching those little squares of carrots and celery get tender. The minute those noodles hit the pot, everyone starts hanging around waiting!
- Finishing Touches
- Everything comes together with just the right seasonings and lots of fresh parsley scattered on top for the ultimate comfort food! I love how those egg noodles drink up all that tasty broth making every bite perfect.
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Tips For Success
Wanna know my mom's top tricks for amazing turkey soup? Give that broth plenty of time to simmer the longer the better! Cut your vegetables into similar sizes so they cook at the same speed. And her number one tip? Don't throw in the noodles until you're almost ready to eat so they stay nice and firm!
Time To Eat
Nothing beats serving this in deep bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top. You absolutely need some fresh bread or warm biscuits on the side to mop up all that tasty broth! This soup always hits the spot when friends drop by during the holiday weekend making everyone feel warm and welcome.
Get Ahead
Know what really takes this soup to another level? Start your broth right after you finish your Thanksgiving meal while cleaning up the kitchen! Put it in the fridge overnight then finish your soup the next day. I also save portions of broth in the freezer for those cold January nights when I need comfort food.
Try Something New
Feel free to put your own spin on this! I often toss in whatever vegetables I need to use up from the fridge. My kids go crazy when I swap out egg noodles for tiny star pasta shapes. Once I tried adding little balls of leftover stuffing and wow that changed everything! The fun part of cooking is finding exactly what works for your family.
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The Deeper Meaning
This soup has grown into something bigger than just using up leftovers it's now a key part of how we celebrate! There's something really rewarding about taking what might've ended up in the trash and turning it into something completely new and delicious. My children are seeing firsthand how we can use every bit of our holiday turkey to make something awesome.
I love the taste but what really matters is keeping our family traditions alive! Whether you make it the day after your big meal or pull some frozen broth out midwinter this soup always brings warmth and happy memories. And isn't that exactly what we want from recipes passed down through generations?
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What makes homemade stock better?
Homemade stock tastes richer and packs in more nutrients. Plus, using leftover turkey bones means less waste and extra flavor.
- → Why should I skim foam off while simmering?
Skimming clears out impurities, giving your stock a clean and smooth flavor without making it cloudy.
- → Is it okay to freeze stock?
Definitely! You can freeze it for up to six months. Save freezer space by reducing first and adding water later when cooking.
- → Can I include turkey liver in the stock?
Avoid liver—it can turn the stock bitter. Other parts like the heart and neck work just fine, though.
- → Do I have to add noodles or rice?
Not at all! Keep it simple with just turkey and vegetables, perfect for a low-carb, gluten-free option.
Conclusion
Create a homemade turkey soup by making stock from leftover turkey bones. Add fresh vegetables and herbs for a satisfying meal.