Nothing fancy to see here, kids!
Nothing fancy at all.
Just an extremely flavorful (understatement of the century) Easy Turkey Noodle Soup that starts with a turkey-based broth with heaps upon heaps upon heaps of steamy rice noodles and every possible topping in the universe including but not limited to a heavy handed dousing of sriracha even if that’s not totally authentic. Also: me slurping the noodles up like a child because my fine motor skills actually BECOME those of a child when I have chopsticks in my hand. But come ON. I’d rather not do this right now.
What I do want to do is tell you how important it is for your tastebuds that you resourcefully use the leftover turkey and the turkey carc*** (terrible, terrible word that shall not be named on this blog) and make these epic noodle bowls.
I’m keeping today’s post short because it’s sort of unexpected –> I just found myself feeling inspired to make a turkey in order to have the leftovers to make the turkey soup which we devoured in three and a half bites ALL BEFORE THANKSGIVING EVEN HAPPENED // so logical –> and I normally don’t post on Tuesdays, but I really needed you to see this before you throw away the turkey you-know-what after T-giving dinner.
Don’t do it! Don’t throw it away. Intervene NOW.
So should you make this and slurp it up while sitting around in your cozies over the weekend? Let’s just say I feel really good when I think about us doing that. 💙
Source notes: This recipe was previously titled “Easy Turkey Pho” but was updated in August 2021 to better reflect and respect the cultural origins from which this dish came from. While the broth in this soup uses flavors commonly found in pho, it is not a traditional pho recipe. Check out this recipe from Sarah at The Woks of Life for traditional and delicious pho!
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Easy Turkey Noodle Soup
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Easy turkey noodle soup recipe – LIGHT and so flavorful. Perfect for leftovers on a cozy chilly day!
Ingredients
For the Broth
- 6–8 cups turkey broth (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 whole star anise
- 6 whole cloves
- 1/4 cup cilantro stems
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 3-inch piece of ginger, peeled and cut into pieces
For Noodle Bowls
- 8 ounces rice noodles
- 2 cups shredded leftover turkey
- cilantro, mint, lime, hot sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, chili peppers, sprouts, or anything else you’d want to top your soup with!
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, simmer all the broth ingredients together for an hour or so. Pour through a fine mesh colander, reserving liquid and discarding solids.
- Return to heat and add noodles. Let the noodles soak until soft (about 10 minutes). Add the turkey. Transfer to bowls (noodles and turkey heaped in the middle, broth ladled over the whole thing) and top with anything your turkey noodle soup heart desires. And DON’T SKIP THE LIME. My favorite.
Notes
Ingredients note: I bought all these ingredients at what I consider to be a mainstream grocery store (Cub Foods, if you’re local to the Minneapolis area). The star anise came in a little bag in the section where they sell the whole dried spices.
Do this a day in advance if you can! I made it all in one day and it was totally fine, but it would be ideal to spread it over two days. –> To make the stock, just cut up the turkey carcass (I’m sorry – no way around that word) and cover it with 8-10 cups water in a large pot. Throw in a few chopped up carrots and some onion slices and simmer for 1-2 hours. Drain, reserving the tasty broth and discarding the solids, and then if you can, let it chill for a while so you can skim the fat off the top. Total yield will depend on how long you simmer it, but generally speaking, this should be plenty for this soup recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vietnamese-Inspired
Keywords: turkey soup, turkey noodle soup, turkey recipe, thanksgiving leftovers
13 inch piece of ginger, is that correct?
It is 1 (3-inch) piece of ginger.
Hi! Looks good. Thanks for the recipe. The word to get around saying “carcass” is “frame,” as in “place the turkey frame in the stock pot.”
Now I’m craving pho! It’s 10pm…thanks Dzunggg ): Kiddings! Haha, my tummy can wait. Can’t wait to try this out!!
Good way to use my leftovers from Thanksgiving!
What a yummy way to use the leftover turkey
Very Yummy Recipe. Thanks for sharing this post
wow very nice recipe. I did all thing at home. it was very tasty. thanks for sharing this post.
I will be try to make at home on weekend.
Aw, that’s so fun to hear that you’re in Vietnam right now!
Delicious. Will definitely make again
This was GREAT! I didn’t cook turkey for Thanksgiving this year, but this recipe is how I used up my friend’s turkey carcass.
I ended up making the turkey stock in my slow cooker (on low) so I didn’t have to worry about it.
Excellent tasting stoup, great job POY!
Thanks, Christina!
Oh my goodness! This looks amazing! I’m so mad that I used up the rest of our turkey leftovers! I adore Pho and go to my local Vietnamese shop at least once a week for my pho fix!! Sometimes I go twice a week! It’s my fave restaurant because it’s gluten and dairy free and filling and delicious! This looks so good! Thanks for sharing!
I made this yesterday. I made a huge pot of turkey broth in the morning, then added the seasonings from your recipe and let it simmer away on the stove for a few hours in the afternoon. It was perfect! We added turkey, left over green beans with almonds, spinach, jalapeños, and radishes. Had a variety of sauces on the table for everyone to personalize their bowls, and it was a huge hit. I have enough broth left over to freeze for next time. Thanks for a great recipe! It’s nice to mix things up with the turkey leftovers.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Will try it out one day..
Love it Lindsay.. Will try it out one day..
yeah.. i’ll do the same
Love the bowls can you tell me where you found them? I love the earthy vibe they bring to your dishes.
Hi, Lisa! Lindsay’s father in law made them for her.
Any substitute for star anise and is it OK to use light brown sugar instead? I’m on a remote island with very limited groceries. Looks fab and your photography is beautiful!
Good questions. Light brown sugar will be fine, and you could use chinese 5-spice instead of star anise. You could also try crushed anise if you have that available to you.
Lindsay this bowl is packed with all sorts of delicious flavors!! So stunning! Pinning!
Thanks Ami! Appreciate it!
This looks so delicious and comforting for the cold nights we are already having. Have a wonderful holiday!
Thanks Rachel! You too!
Yum!!! And easy! Thank you for sharing on this crazy, food-busy holiday week!!
Of course! Best job ever 🙂
Yum! I love pho and have been looking for an easy recipe! Am going to have to try this weekend!!!
Thanks Robin!
What a fun way to use up turkey. I’ve never had pho. Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Emily! Hope you like it!
Now that’s a fantastic way to use leftover turkey. I’m extra excited since it’s gluten free – so I could eat this! thanks for sharing this before the big T. day so I can make plans to have some afterwards 🙂
Yes, definitely! Takes a little bit of advance planning.
DONE.
My bird…car*** <-most awkward word ever< will gladly participate in this broth goodness.
Great surpriiiiissseeee <3
Thanks Brittany! 🙂
Every Thanksgiving my dad makes soup out of the turkey carcass. This looks like a flavorful, clever update of that tradition. Delicious.
So smart! It seems so obvious but I don’t know if we’ve ever done it before. I mean, I know I personally haven’t…
haha, I, too just bought some turkey pieces to roast just so I have leftovers! I had to make the turkey dinner the past few years and, while I’m excited to pass on that this year, I couldn’t stand the thought of missing leftovers…
Thanksgiving leftovers are everything!