After the feast, comes the comfort! What better way to make the most of your holiday turkey than by transforming that leftover carcass into a rich, comforting pot of homemade soup? This recipe for crockpot turkey soup with carcass isn’t just delicious; it’s an incredibly easy and rewarding way to extend the joy of your holiday meal. Let your slow cooker do all the hard work, simmering away to create a deeply flavored broth that forms the perfect base for a hearty, healthy soup.
Making soup from a turkey carcass ensures you capture every last drop of flavor and nutrition. The bones, cartilage, and bits of meat left on the carcass release collagen, gelatin, and minerals as they simmer, creating a broth that’s far superior to anything store-bought. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to minimize food waste!
Contents
Why Your Slow Cooker is Perfect for This
The beauty of using a crockpot for this recipe is its hands-off nature. You simply add your ingredients, set it, and forget it. The low, slow cooking method gently extracts all the goodness from the turkey carcass, resulting in a perfectly savory and aromatic broth without needing constant supervision. It’s ideal for those busy post-holiday days when you want something nourishing but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
What You’ll Need for Your Turkey Soup
For the Rich Broth:
- Turkey Carcass: The star of the show! Use the entire leftover carcass from your roasted turkey, including any bones and drippings.
- Aromatics: 2-3 carrots, 2-3 celery stalks, 1 large onion – roughly chopped. These vegetables add depth and sweetness to your broth.
- Herbs & Spices: A few sprigs of fresh parsley, 1-2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns. Feel free to add a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary if you have them.
- Water: Enough to cover the carcass in your slow cooker.
- Optional: A splash of apple cider vinegar (about 1 tablespoon) can help extract more minerals from the bones.
For the Delicious Soup:
- Reserved Cooked Turkey Meat: Any leftover meat you picked off the carcass after making the broth.
- Fresh Vegetables: 2-3 carrots, 2-3 celery stalks, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 cup corn kernels. Feel free to use other favorites like potatoes, green beans, or spinach.
- Broth: The glorious turkey broth you just made!
- Seasonings: Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Optional additions: Cooked noodles or rice, fresh parsley for garnish.
Let’s Make Some Soul-Warming Soup!
Step 1: Preparing Your Flavorful Broth
- Gather Your Carcass: Place the entire turkey carcass into your large slow cooker. Don’t worry if it’s a tight fit; it will soften and settle.
- Add the Aromatics: Roughly chop your carrots, celery, and onion and add them around and on top of the carcass. Toss in the parsley sprigs, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. If using, add the apple cider vinegar.
- Fill with Water: Pour enough cold water into the slow cooker to completely cover the carcass and vegetables.
- Set It and Forget It: Cover your slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours or on LOW for 8-10 hours. The longer it simmers, the richer your broth will be!
Step 2: Straining and Prepping the Broth
- Cool Down: Once cooking is complete, turn off the slow cooker and let the broth cool down a bit. This makes it safer to handle.
- Strain the Broth: Carefully remove the turkey carcass and discard it. Place a fine-mesh sieve or colander lined with cheesecloth over a large bowl or pot. Ladle or pour the broth through the sieve to remove all the solids, including the cooked vegetables and herbs. This ensures a beautifully clear broth.
- Harvest the Meat: Pick off any usable turkey meat remaining on the carcass bones. Shred or chop it and set it aside for your soup.
- Chill (Optional but Recommended): For an even healthier and clearer soup, refrigerate the broth overnight. Any fat will solidify on top, making it easy to skim off and discard before reheating.
Step 3: Creating Your Delicious Soup
- Combine Ingredients: Pour your strained turkey broth back into the cleaned slow cooker. Add the fresh chopped carrots and celery.
- Cook the Veggies: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. You want them cooked but still with a little bite.
- Add the Goodies: Stir in the reserved cooked turkey meat, frozen peas, and corn kernels during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This prevents the turkey from drying out and the peas/corn from getting mushy.
- Season to Perfection: Taste the soup and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Adjust as needed.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle your warm, comforting crockpot turkey soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Tips for the Best Turkey Soup Ever
- Don’t Rush the Strain: Straining the broth thoroughly is key for a smooth, clean soup. Don’t skip this step!
- Fresh Veggies Later: Add fresh soup vegetables (like carrots and celery) towards the end of the broth-making process or, even better, with the strained broth. This keeps them from becoming overly soft or mushy.
- Season Smartly: Wait to add most of your salt until the very end. As the broth reduces slightly, flavors intensify, and you don’t want to over-salt.
- Fat Separator: If you don’t want to chill the broth, a fat separator is a handy tool to quickly remove excess fat for a lighter soup.
- Roast Your Carcass (Optional): If your turkey carcass isn’t already roasted, you can roast it in the oven for about 30 minutes at 400°F (200°C) before putting it in the crockpot. This adds an extra layer of depth and flavor to your broth.
Creative Variations to Try
- Noodle or Rice Soup: Cook your favorite pasta (like egg noodles or ditalini) or rice separately and add it directly to individual bowls just before serving. This prevents the starches from soaking up too much broth and getting mushy.
- Dumpling Delight: Add dropped dumplings to the simmering soup for a heartier meal.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of turmeric can add a lovely golden color and subtle earthy note. A dash of red pepper flakes can introduce a gentle heat.
- Herb Garden: Experiment with different fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, or marjoram for varied flavor profiles.
- Root Veggie Boost: Include diced potatoes, parsnips, or turnips along with your carrots and celery for more substance.
Storing Your Delicious Leftovers
Refrigeration: Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It often tastes even better the next day!
Freezing: This soup freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3-6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs About Crockpot Turkey Soup
Can I use a turkey neck instead of a whole carcass?
Absolutely! A turkey neck will still provide a good amount of flavor and collagen for your broth. You might need to adjust the amount of water slightly, but the process remains the same.
Can I add a ham bone to the soup?
While you can, remember that a ham bone will add a distinct smoky and salty flavor that might overpower the delicate turkey notes. If you’re looking for a turkey-centric soup, it’s best to stick with just the turkey carcass.
Can I use a frozen turkey carcass?
Yes, you can! If you’ve frozen your turkey carcass after the holiday, simply take it out of the freezer and place it directly into your slow cooker with the other ingredients. It will thaw as it cooks, though it might take a little longer to come to temperature.
Do I have to strain the broth?
While not strictly “required” for safety, straining is highly recommended for the best texture and appearance. It removes all the small bone fragments, cooked vegetables, and herbs, resulting in a clean, clear broth that makes for a much more pleasant eating experience.
What if my crockpot isn’t big enough for the whole carcass?
If your carcass is too large, you can break it apart into smaller pieces to fit. You can also use kitchen shears or a sturdy knife to cut through some of the softer bones. Don’t worry if it’s snug; it will shrink as it cooks.
Enjoy making this delightful crockpot turkey soup with carcass. It’s a truly comforting and rewarding recipe that turns leftovers into a heartwarming meal everyone will love!