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Let me share our family's beloved way of transforming Thanksgiving leftovers into pure comfort! After years of watching my mom turn that turkey carcass into liquid gold I finally learned her secrets. That rich homemade stock combined with tender vegetables and chunks of leftover turkey creates the most amazing soup. The first time I made this on my own my mom said it tasted just like hers now that's the ultimate compliment!
Why This Soup Is Special
This isn't your ordinary turkey soup! Making your own stock from the leftover carcass creates this incredible depth of flavor you just can't get from a box or can. Last year when I served this the day after Thanksgiving my brother-in-law said it was better than the turkey dinner itself. Even my kids who usually ask for pizza with leftovers beg for this soup!
What You'll Need
- For That Amazing Stock: Your turkey carcass save every bit!, Fresh carrots roughly chopped, Crisp celery, Sweet onion, Whole garlic cloves, Fragrant bay leaves, Whole peppercorns
- For The Soup: More fresh vegetables diced small, Leftover turkey meat, Favorite egg noodles, Mom's poultry seasoning blend, Fresh parsley for the finish
Let's Start Cooking
- Making That Golden Stock
- First we're building our liquid gold! Everything goes into the biggest pot you own then let it simmer away. The house starts smelling amazing like Thanksgiving all over again. I love watching my family drift into the kitchen asking what smells so good!
- Creating The Soup
- Once we have our beautiful stock it's time for the fresh vegetables and turkey. There's something so satisfying about watching those diced carrots and celery cook until tender. When we add those noodles everyone starts hovering around the pot!
- The Final Touch
- That moment when everything comes together seasoned just right with plenty of fresh parsley on top pure comfort in a bowl! The way those egg noodles soak up all that rich broth is absolute perfection.
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Making It Perfect
Want my mom's secrets for the best turkey soup? Let that stock simmer as long as you can patience makes it richer! Cut all your vegetables the same size they'll cook more evenly. And here's her favorite tip don't add the noodles until right before serving keeps them from getting mushy!
Serving It Up
I love serving this in big bowls with extra fresh parsley on top. Some warm crusty bread or homemade biscuits on the side is absolutely essential for soaking up every last drop! When friends stop by during the holiday weekend this soup always makes them feel cozy and welcomed.
Planning Ahead
Want to know what makes this soup even better? Make the stock right after Thanksgiving dinner while you're cleaning up! Store it in the fridge then make your soup the next day. I even freeze portions of the stock for middle-of-winter comfort food cravings.
Mix It Up
Don't be afraid to make this recipe your own! Sometimes I'll add different vegetables whatever's in the crisper. My kids love when I use little star-shaped pasta instead of egg noodles. Once I added some leftover stuffing dumplings absolute game changer! That's what makes cooking fun finding your perfect combination.
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Why This Recipe Matters
This soup has become more than just a way to use leftovers it's part of our holiday tradition! There's something so satisfying about transforming what might have been thrown away into something completely new and wonderful. My kids are learning about reducing food waste watching how we can create something amazing from every part of our holiday bird.
The best part isn't just how delicious it is it's knowing we're carrying on a family tradition! Whether you're making it the day after Thanksgiving or pulling some stock from the freezer in January this soup never fails to bring comfort and memories. And isn't that what family recipes are all about?
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why make stock from scratch?
Homemade stock provides deeper flavor and more nutrients than store-bought. Using the turkey carcass makes use of leftovers and extracts additional flavor from the bones.
- → Why skim the foam while making stock?
Skimming removes impurities that rise to the surface during cooking. This results in a clearer, cleaner-tasting stock without cloudiness.
- → Can I freeze the stock?
Yes, the stock can be frozen for up to 6 months. Consider reducing it first to save space, then dilute when using.
- → Why not use liver in the stock?
Liver can make the stock bitter when cooked for long periods. Other giblets are fine to use but leave out the liver.
- → Can I make this without noodles or rice?
Yes, the soup is delicious with just vegetables and turkey. Skipping noodles or rice makes it gluten-free and lower in carbs.
Conclusion
Traditional homemade turkey soup starting with stock made from scratch using the leftover turkey carcass, vegetables, and fresh herbs.