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    Recipes » Soup

    Turkey and Rice Soup

    Published: Nov 13, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · 37 Comments

    Gluten FreeQuick Meals

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Warming and light, Turkey and Rice Soup is a wonderful way to enjoy leftover turkey. Tender turkey, vegetables and rice are swirled in a savory broth and finished with a splash of fresh lemon juice and a bright blend of parsley, lemon zest, and garlic. A welcome and restorative meal after days of decadent eating.

    Turkey and Rice Soup served in white bowls

    With this simple soup recipe, using ingredients that you likely have on hand, you'll be serving up steaming bowls in just 30 minutes.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need to Make Turkey and Rice Soup
    • Why is this the best Turkey and Rice Soup?
    • Should I rinse rice for soup?
    • Recipe Options
    • How to Make Turkey Stock (Optional)
    • How to Store and Reheat
    • More Ways to Enjoy Leftover Turkey
    • Plan Your Holiday Menu
    • How to Make Turkey and Rice Soup
    • Turkey and Rice Soup
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients You Need to Make Turkey and Rice Soup

    Turkey and Rice Soup Ingredients on a white marble board
    • Leftover Turkey: White meat, dark meat or a blend.
    • Onion: Yellow, white, or sweet onions work well.
    • Butter: Salted or unsalted.
    • Carrots: Peeled or unpeeled, your choice!
    • Celery: This is a good way to enjoy those outer ribs that you may have removed for the more tender celery ribs beneath.
    • Broth: Turkey broth (or homemade turkey stock - instructions below), or chicken broth or stock.
    • Rice: Long grain white rice. Rinse your rice if you like a brothier soup as the outer starch will thicken the soup, particularly if you reheat it. (I don't mind this and typically don't rinse the rice.)
    • Lemon: Juice and zest.
    • Parsley: Flat leaf or curly, your choice.
    • Garlic: A couple of fresh, fat garlic cloves.
    • Kosher Salt: To taste.

    Why is this the best Turkey and Rice Soup?

    The splash of fresh lemon juice and sprinkle of an aromatic blend of minced fresh parsley, garlic, and lemon zest (Italian Gremolata) at the end elevate this comforting soup from ordinary to extraordinary. It's just the right finish to enhance and brighten the soup's deeply savory flavors.

    Should I rinse rice for soup?

    Rice has a powdery starch coating that can be rinsed off, so should you rinse it? It depends on what you're cooking. If you're boiling rice on its own, you should rinse it first to prevent the grains from sticking together, or worse, getting gummy.

    In soup, the powdery starch will thicken the broth (particularly in any leftover soup). So if you want a thinner, brothy soup, rinse your rice. If you don't mind a thicker soup, there's no need to rinse.

    Turkey and Rice Soup served in white bowls photographed from above.

    Recipe Options

    • You can make this with a wild rice blend or brown rice, but note that they have a longer cooking time (~45 minutes). Cook the rice separately and add it along with the turkey at the end, just long enough to reheat.
    • If you're making this soup from leftover Thanksgiving turkey, I recommend making stock from the turkey carcass. It's easy and gives this soup wonderful flavor! Instructions on making turkey stock from scratch below.
    • Love lemon? Increase the juice and zest to one full lemon.

    How to Make Turkey Stock (Optional)

    Though it's not essential for this soup, homemade turkey stock tastes amazing and is easy to make. Here's how to make it:

    1. Add the turkey carcass and, if you like, the little bag of treasures that you’ve pulled from the turkey before roasting (neck, gizzard, heart and liver) into a large pot or, ideally a stock pot, and add enough water to cover.
    2. Then add two quartered onions, a large handful of fresh parsley, a few ribs of chopped celery, a handful of black peppercorns and a bay leaf if you like. 
    3. Bring this to boil then reduce the heat and leave simmering away for a few hours, occasionally skimming off any foam that rises. Let simmer until the volume of liquid has reduced by about half and your turkey stock has a rich, golden color.
    4. Let the stock cool, then strain out the solids and either enjoy it within a week or freeze in canning jars (make sure you leave a couple of inches for the liquid to expand as it freezes).

    How to Store and Reheat

    Store leftover Turkey and Rice soup in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Gently reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often.

    Be sure to rinse your rice before adding it in step 2 of the recipe if you plan to freeze this soup (see section above about rinsing rice for soup). Also note that soups with starchy ingredients like rice will be thicker when thawed and reheated, so plan on adding more stock or broth if needed. With these notes in mind, you can freeze this soup in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

    More Ways to Enjoy Leftover Turkey

    • Turkey Pot Pie (A lighter version of the classic with a puff pastry crust.)
    • Turkey Pot Pie Soup (I love to serve this with Pie Crust Crackers made from scraps of my Lard Pie Crust.)

    Plan Your Holiday Menu

    • Thanksgiving Menu Planner
    • Christmas Menu Planner

    How to Make Turkey and Rice Soup

    In a 3-quart saucepan, sauté onion in butter over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in celery, carrots, broth, and rice; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until rice is nearly tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

    cooking diced onions
    vegetables and rice in turkey broth
    turkey broth vegetables and rice boiling

    While soup cooks, stir together lemon zest, parsley, and garlic in a small bowl. Juice lemon in separate bowl.

    gremolata in a white bowl
    fresh lemon juice in a white bowl

    Stir turkey meat into soup and cook just until heated through. Add lemon juice and stir. Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley, garlic, and lemon zest mixture (gremolata). Serve hot.

    adding shredded leftover turkey to soup
    stirring turkey and rice soup
    Turkey and Rice Soup served in a white bowl

    Turkey and Rice Soup

    Marissa Stevens
    It's the splash of fresh lemon juice and sprinkle of fresh parsley, lemon zest, and garlic at the end that makes this soup irresistible.
    5 from 15 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 237 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 large onion diced small
    • 3 ribs celery thinly sliced into half moons
    • 2 large carrots thinly sliced
    • 8 cups chicken broth or homemade Turkey broth (see recipe note #1)
    • ¾ cup long grain white rice (see recipe note #2)
    • ⅓ cup minced flat leaf parsley
    • 2 medium cloves garlic minced
    • ½ medium lemon juice and zest
    • 2 cups cooked turkey shredded, ~10 ounces
    • kosher salt to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Melt butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until softened and translucent, 3-5 minutes.
    • Add celery, carrots, broth and rice. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer 10-12 minutes, until rice is tender, but still has a little bite.
    • Meanwhile, zest lemon into a small bowl and add minced parsley and garlic; stir to combine. Juice lemon half into separate small bowl. Set both bowls aside.
    • When rice is tender, add turkey meat; cook and stir until heated through, 2-3 minutes. Stir in reserved lemon juice and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with parsley mixture. Serve.

    Notes

    1. Homemade turkey stock (instructions in post) or chicken stock make this soup even better!
    2. Rinse your rice if you want to remove the powdery surface starch that can thicken the soup.
    3. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy within 4 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 18gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 1224mgPotassium: 536mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2160IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword comfort food, kid friendly, light, low calorie, winter
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Soup Recipes

    • Birria Ramen
    • Turkey Pot Pie Soup
    • Vegetarian French Onion Soup
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Julie says

      January 31, 2023 at 8:54 am

      5 stars
      This was a great soup!
      I used wild rice instead of white, and also added one small sweet potato/ diced.

      Highly recommend.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am

        So glad you enjoyed it, Julie! Thanks for your cooking notes.

        Reply
    2. Barb W says

      November 30, 2022 at 2:24 pm

      5 stars
      One of the best turkey rice soups I have made! My husband LOVED it! More please!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 30, 2022 at 4:30 pm

        I love to hear that, Barb! So happy that you and your husband enjoyed it!

        Reply
    3. Sunshine says

      November 28, 2022 at 8:14 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! First time on your website, and I was intrigued by the gremolata. The splash of lemon as well as the parsley, minced garlic, and lemon zest in the bowls elevated it to the best turkey and rice soup we've ever had. We like lemon, so I zested and squeezed an entire lemon. I used homemade turkey bone stock and basmati rice, rinsing it as directed when planning to freeze. This recipe made a full meal for two adults and two kids plus about 1-1/2 quart bags of soup leftover for future meals. Easily adaptable to rotisserie chicken, adding a handful peas, etc. A keeper.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 28, 2022 at 9:05 am

        Hi Sunshine! Thanks for your detailed recipe notes. I'm so glad this was a hit with you and your loved ones!

        Reply
    4. Julie Link says

      November 27, 2022 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      So good! The favor is great just the right amounts of everything to make a great soup

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 27, 2022 at 1:21 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Julie!

        Reply
    5. Rachel says

      November 26, 2022 at 11:20 am

      5 stars
      Super tasty! Any tips on keeping the rice from absorbing all the broth?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 27, 2022 at 1:21 pm

        Hi Rachel! So glad you're enjoying it. The best way I know is to cook the rice separately to add when you're reheating the soup (I often do this with soups that contain pasta as well).

        Reply
    6. David @ Spiced says

      November 14, 2022 at 5:26 am

      5 stars
      I am putting this one on the menu for this year! I do love a good turkey sandwich after Thanksgiving, but soup season is here (it's cold this morning!), and a hot bowl of turkey and rice soup sounds absolutely delicious right about now!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 14, 2022 at 10:20 am

        I can't wait for you to try it, David!

        Reply
    7. Kara says

      March 29, 2022 at 4:19 pm

      5 stars
      So So 😊 yummmmmm

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 31, 2022 at 9:54 am

        So glad you enjoyed it, Kara!

        Reply
    8. Linda Kairys says

      March 27, 2022 at 1:34 pm

      The gremolata took it over the top. Absolutely love the flavors of this soup. Mine although purple due to the heirloom carrots I used and the rustic flavors of a mix of white and wild rice brought it to a new place for me...I will definately use this recipe again.

      Reply
      • Linda Kairys says

        March 27, 2022 at 1:35 pm

        5 stars
        I forgot the 5 star review.. noteworthy

        Reply
        • Marissa Stevens says

          March 27, 2022 at 2:08 pm

          I'm so glad you enjoyed this soup, Linda! Thank you for coming back to let me know.

          Reply
    9. Deborah says

      November 27, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      5 stars
      Well this certainly was a labor of love! Making the stock, the soup (picking the carcass), the gremolata. . . I think I used every pot, bowl, colander, kitchen tool and inch of counter space today. I found myself wondering if it was worth the effort. Then we sat down to steaming bowls of homemade soup and WOW it was worth it! Gremolata is something new to me and it really made the soup sing. And for all the effort, we’ve plenty left for tomorrow, Sunday game day. Thank you, Marissa, for a fresh new take on leftover turkey.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 28, 2021 at 2:37 pm

        aww...I'm so happy this soup was a hit for you and your family, Deborah!

        Reply
    10. Holly KOrus says

      November 26, 2021 at 1:06 pm

      Nothing is perfect but this is close.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 27, 2021 at 4:42 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this, Holly!

        Reply
    11. Dennis Yannakos says

      December 17, 2020 at 2:14 am

      5 stars
      A bowl of warm soup for a cold day! Perfect! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        December 17, 2020 at 8:34 am

        My pleasure! Thanks, Dennis.

        Reply
    12. Liz says

      November 28, 2020 at 5:13 am

      5 stars
      We're having turkey tetrazzini tonight, but there should be enough leftover turkey for your fabulous soup! It will be nice as the snow moves in...ugh.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 29, 2020 at 10:13 am

        I bet you make a mean turkey tetrazzini, Liz! Definitely save a little turkey for this soup - I promise it's a keeper. And yes, snow, we've got it in the forecast too...

        Reply
    13. David @ Spiced says

      November 24, 2020 at 4:12 am

      5 stars
      This is a great reminder to make turkey stock this year! I'll be honest that some years I forget it - or just pass on it as I'm too tired to deal with it after making the entire meal. But I'm doing it this year - this soup looks amazing, and I'm sure it has so much flavor thanks to the stock and extra turkey!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 24, 2020 at 11:16 am

        It's so good, David! Always nice to have homemade turkey stock, right? So much better than store bought.

        Reply
    14. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      November 23, 2020 at 8:13 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect timing for this cozy looking soup, Marissa! We always make turkey soup after Thanksgiving. Yours looks so warming and delicious!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 24, 2020 at 11:15 am

        Thanks, Katherine! I hope you'll give this one a try!

        Reply
    15. Muna Kenny says

      November 23, 2020 at 7:13 pm

      5 stars
      This soup has everything I need right now, so hearty and looks delicious. I love the taste of lemon in soups. Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 24, 2020 at 11:16 am

        My pleasure, Muna! Thank you for your kind comment.

        Reply
    16. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      November 23, 2020 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      Turkey (chicken) & rice soup is an ultimate comfort yet not overly heavy recipe that is deeply associated with my childhood (As a kid, you got sick - you got a bowl of chicken soup! Best remedy ever!) You're also right that it's a great way to eat cleaner/healthier after all the decadent and festive meals. I'm even a little bit jealous that you might have some turkey leftovers after celebrating Thanksgiving 🙂 Delicious!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 24, 2020 at 11:18 am

        So true about the ultimate comfort food, Ben! Sometimes I think that I enjoy meals from leftovers even more than the main meal.

        Reply
    17. dorothydunton says

      November 23, 2020 at 2:55 pm

      Hi Marissa! This sounds so comforting! It's just going to be the two of us this year so I'm making a couple of bacon wrapped turkey tenderloins. No carcass to make stock so I'll make due with chicken stock .My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the leftovers. 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 24, 2020 at 11:18 am

        Hi Dorothy! I bet those turkey tenderloins will be incredible. I'm with you on the leftovers. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friend.

        Reply
    18. angiesrecipes says

      November 23, 2020 at 5:41 am

      Simple, warming and delicious...a perfect soup recipe, esp. if you have some leftover turkey or chicken.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 24, 2020 at 11:18 am

        Thank you, Angie!

        Reply

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