My dad always cooked the Thanksgiving turkey and on the Friday after Thanksgiving he would make his famous turkey soup! We all loved the soup and the tradition. As with everything he did, my dad made a very big deal out of his soup and always believe it was the best ever.
I’ve never made the soup before but decided I would give it a whirl this year. My mom found the Fannie Farmer recipe that he roughly followed. I modified it slightly — below is the recipe I used.
1. Cut majority of leftover meat off the turkey carcass. Put carcass in stock pot and fill with water.
2. Slice 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks (including leaves) and 1 onion and add to stock pot. Crush 6 peppercorns and add to pot.
3. Bring pot to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 3 hours.
4. Remove the carcass and any bones that may have fallen off.
5. Add rice, barley or noodles. Increase heat until the grain of your choosing is fully cooked.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Despite the carcass appearing not to have much meat on it, the soup was chock full of meat. Feel free though to add additional leftover turkey to stock.
Soup can be enjoyed immediately or is even tastier a few hours later or the next day! We had some for dinner on Friday, I had a bowl for lunch on Saturday, and I froze the remainder. I think my dad would be very happy that I continued the turkey soup tradition!
19 responses so far ↓
Denise Terry // November 29, 2009 at 6:11 pm |
Even easier — I sauteed onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil. Then added chicken broth. I stripped the turkey clean of meat, and put the meat in the pot, including two large wing bones. I added more broth, and about 3/4 cup of orzo. Delish. I just didn’t have time to make the broth myself.
Jessica Ogilvie // November 29, 2009 at 6:23 pm |
Sounds like that would take a lot less time and not sacrifice the flavor! I hope you had a great time with all the Terry girls and grandkids!
Kardia Williams // November 30, 2009 at 7:11 pm |
A delicious and interesting alternative to Thanksgiving turkey leftovers. I’m sure you also consider it a nice way to conjure up happy memories of your childhood and father.
Joan Kaiser // November 29, 2009 at 6:12 pm |
Hi,
I was waiting for that recipe. I made turkey soup yesterday, and it was very similar to your recipe. Enjoy! Glad you had a great TG.
Paul // November 29, 2009 at 6:25 pm |
Dave – excellent soup recipe. Gonna make this. Good luck.
kepinghidup // November 29, 2009 at 8:11 pm |
good recipe.. cant wait to taste it
Patrick Pyatochkin // November 29, 2009 at 9:56 pm |
Jessica Ogilvie
// November 29, 2009 at 6:23 pm | Reply Sounds like that would take a lot less time and not sacrifice the flavor! I hope you had a great time with all the Terry girls and grandkids!
toriano // November 30, 2009 at 12:49 am |
I missed thanksgiving because I am on a ship in the middle east but this post. made me miss it and drool for a bit…thanks
Toriano
thedish22.wordpress.com
sharaya // November 30, 2009 at 8:01 am |
awesome……….so nice to have this recipe….I’ll try it…..
Pretty Project // November 30, 2009 at 10:12 am |
Yummmmm! This sounds so good. I’ll have to give it a shot tonight. It’ll be nice and warm to give the weather a run for its money!
http://www.theprettyproject.com
April // November 30, 2009 at 12:56 pm |
This is exactly how my mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother have made turkey soup! From northern Minnesota to your house…
tamara // November 30, 2009 at 2:13 pm |
i never had any turkey.. it’s just not our custom.. but i would like to try it sometime
geogee // November 30, 2009 at 2:33 pm |
Delicious sounding recipe and so simple to make. I’ll definitely be giving it a whirl.
Akbar // November 30, 2009 at 3:34 pm |
Hi, thanks for the advice. I don;t have any leftovers, but if anyone is willing to mail me samples, I am down and you’ll get my vote!
Liv // November 30, 2009 at 7:28 pm |
People don’t know what amazing soup can be made from leftover turkey+carcasses!! That looks great.
pandabox33 // November 30, 2009 at 8:46 pm |
I’ll keep this in mind for after the Christmas party we’re having.
http://pandabox33.wordpress.com
http://bazookah5.wordpress.com
BigLittleWolf // December 1, 2009 at 8:57 am |
Wonderful suggestions here. We have just enough turkey left to make a good soup. (And unfortunately, still too much dessert around the house for my hips!)
lydiak345 // December 2, 2009 at 3:41 pm |
This looks yummy. It’s cold here in Maryland & I wish I had a bowl right now! Unfortunately I didn’t feel like cooking a turkey this year, so there’s nothing to make it with.
Once in a great while though I’ll buy a package of smoked turkey legs & make a pot of turkey soup. I just cook the legs in chicken broth & brown rice. Nice on a cold, rainy day like today.
Happy New Year from the Weeknight Gourmet! « Weeknight Gourmet // December 31, 2009 at 11:47 am |
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