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Thanksgiving at our family table is an annual gathering of warmth, gratitude, and culinary delight. As the enticing aroma of roasted turkey wafts through the air, our home becomes a haven of togetherness. This is the story of the transformation of the Thanksgiving turkey into a delicious and timeless turkey soup.
Gathered around the table, laughter mingles with the clinking of cutlery, and the room is adorned with the vibrant colors of autumn. From the first forkful of creamy mashed potatoes to the last bite of homemade pumpkin pie, every morsel is a celebration of gratitude and connection. Thanksgiving with the family is more than a meal—it’s a symphony of love, gratitude, and the enduring bond that ties us together.
Transforming Leftovers
In the aftermath of Thanksgiving, our kitchen transforms into a playground of culinary reinvention as we embark on the journey of repurposing leftovers. The day-after feast is a creative encore, where yesterday’s stars are reborn into savory turkey sandwiches layered with stuffing and accompanied by a generous amount of cranberry sauce.
As we savor each bite of these transformed leftovers, there’s a comforting nostalgia in the familiar flavors, and the joy of Thanksgiving extends beyond the day itself, lingering in the delicious remnants of a feast well shared. By the end of the day however, my favorite leftovers are ready to be enjoyed. Turkey Soup!
Grandma’s Turkey Soup Tradition
Thanksgiving lingered in the air as Grandma, with her apron worked on the best part of Thanksgiving — the creation of her legendary turkey soup. In the cozy comforts of her kitchen, the leftover turkey carcass took center stage, joining forces with a fragrant medley of vegetables and herbs. As the pot simmered, a symphony of scents filled the air, evoking memories of holiday gatherings and the warmth of family. The rhythmic chopping of carrots and celery became a comforting melody, and the bubbling broth carried the essence of Thanksgiving’s embrace.
Grandma’s turkey soup was more than a culinary creation; it is a vessel of tradition, an elixir that transformed the remnants of the feast into a bowl of comfort. Ladled into worn, mismatched bowls, each spoonful was a journey back in time, a taste of love that transcended generations. In those moments, as the aroma of simmering soup enveloped us, Grandma’s kitchen became a sacred space where Thanksgiving lived on, not just in the flavors of the meal but in the enduring legacy of family and the stories woven into every simmering pot of turkey soup.
Taking a Moment to Appreciate
I will never forget those moments. The moment my warm cup of sit hit the placement, reminding me of the feast we enjoyed the day before. The moment of my grandma asking me if I want noodles or rice. Most of all though, the moment we sat around the table and enjoyed another hot meal together remembering the day before. As Thanksgiving approaches take a moment to appreciate those small moments shared with those around you.
Turkey Soup from Thanksgiving Leftovers
This delicious and aromatic turkey soup recipe is easy to make and wonderful to eat. For more home cooked recipes and meals, checkout my new cookbook: The Homestead Table.
Ingredients
- 1
- turkey carcass
- 1.5 cups
- leftover turkey meat (white or dark, any will do)
- 1
- large carrot, chopped
- 3
- cups water
- 1
- large celery, chopped
- 1
- small onion, chopped
- 1 tsp
- oregano
- 1 tsp
- garlic powder
- 1 tsp
- onion powder
- 1 tsp
- pepper
- 1.5 cups
- cooked rice
- salt to taste
Instructions
- 1
-
Place the turkey carcass in a large pot. Cover with 3 cups of water as well as carrot, celery and onion scraps and let simmer on medium for about 3 hours.
- 2
-
After 3 hours, drain broth into a refrigerator safe bowl and cover. Let sit overnight.
- 3
-
The next day; Remove the broth from the refrigerator and using a spoon skim the fat off the top and discard.
- 4
-
Place the broth into a pot along with the chopped carrot, celery, onion and turkey meat. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
- 5
-
Add your oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and salt. Add your rice. Allow to simmer another 10-15 minutes.
- 6
-
Serve hot!
While there are plenty of other ideas out there, this turkey soup recipe is my all-time favorite. I hope you enjoy!
