Welcome to the ultimate comfort food experience! This turkey noodle soup recipe offers warmth and nourishment in every spoonful, making it perfect for cozy evenings. It’s an effortless way to transform leftover turkey into a wholesome, satisfying meal. Let your slow cooker do all the hard work, preparing a rich and flavorful soup with minimal effort from you. Get ready to enjoy a truly delicious, family-friendly dish.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Noodle Soup
You’ll adore this easy slow cooker turkey noodle soup for so many wonderful reasons! It’s designed to make your life simpler and your meals more delicious.
- Minimal Effort: Simply toss ingredients into your slow cooker and let it work its magic. This hands-off approach makes meal prep a breeze for busy days.
- Uses Leftovers: It’s an ingenious way to repurpose post-holiday or weekly meal prep turkey. Don’t let delicious turkey go to waste when you can create this amazing soup.
- Comforting Flavors: Every spoonful offers a rich, savory, and warm experience that soothes the soul. The aromatic herbs and tender vegetables create a truly comforting dish.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with nutritious vegetables and lean turkey, this soup is a nourishing meal for the whole family. It’s a fantastic way to boost your daily veggie intake. According to experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine, incorporating lean protein like turkey and various vegetables into soups provides essential nutrients and supports overall well-being.
- Family Favorite: This classic chicken and noodle soup twist is sure to be a hit with everyone. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that even picky eaters will enjoy.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or what you have on hand. Make it your own with different vegetables or pasta shapes.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Turkey Noodle Soup
Gathering your ingredients for this comforting turkey noodle soup is simple. You’ll need a mix of fresh vegetables, flavorful stock, aromatic seasonings, and, of course, your cooked turkey and noodles.
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Coarse Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Rubbed Sage
- 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Whole Thyme Leaves
- 1 McCormick® Bay Leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup uncooked medium egg noodles
- 1 cup shredded cooked turkey
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
Notes & Substitutions
Feel free to adjust these ingredients to perfectly suit your taste or what you have available.
- Vegetables: Get creative by swapping carrots, onions, or celery for other favorites like corn, diced potatoes, or a handful of fresh spinach added at the very end.
- Broth: While chicken stock provides a rich base, vegetable broth makes a lighter alternative. For extra depth, use homemade turkey stock.
- Turkey: If you don’t have leftover turkey, shredded cooked chicken breast works perfectly. You can also use diced raw turkey and add it earlier in the cooking process.
- Spices: These measurements are a starting point. Adjust to taste, adding more of your favorite herbs like a pinch of dried rosemary for extra warmth.
- Noodles: Medium egg noodles are traditional, but wide egg noodles, or even small pasta shapes like ditalini or elbow macaroni, will work beautifully.
- Salt: Always taste and adjust salt levels based on the sodium content of your chosen broth. You might need less if your stock is already salty.
Equipment You’ll Need
Making this easy turkey noodle soup requires just a few basic kitchen tools. You likely already have most of these on hand, making preparation even simpler.
- 6-quart slow cooker: Essential for the hands-off cooking method.
- Cutting board and sharp knife: For preparing your fresh vegetables.
- Measuring cups and spoons: To ensure accurate ingredient amounts.
- Ladle: For serving your delicious, hot soup.
- Stirring spoon: To mix ingredients and check tenderness.
How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Noodle Soup
Creating this comforting turkey noodle soup in your slow cooker is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps for a truly delicious and easy meal. The hands-off nature of slow cooking means you can set it and forget it, returning to a wonderful aroma and a hearty meal.
- Prepare Vegetables: Begin by washing and chopping your vegetables. Dice 1 cup of carrots, 1 cup of onion, and 1/2 cup of celery into bite-sized pieces. Uniformly sized pieces ensure even cooking. This step is key for building the base flavor of your homemade turkey noodle soup.
- Combine Ingredients: Carefully add all the chopped vegetables into the bottom of your 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in 4 cups of chicken stock. Next, add your seasonings: 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Coarse Ground Black Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Garlic Powder, 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Rubbed Sage, 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Whole Thyme Leaves, and 1 McCormick® Bay Leaf. Finish with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir everything gently to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook: Place the lid securely on your slow cooker. Set the cooker to cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 6 hours. This initial cooking period allows the vegetables to soften beautifully and the flavors to meld, creating a rich broth. The slow cooker method makes this turkey noodle soup so convenient.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Once the initial cooking time is complete, carefully remove the lid. Stir in 1 cup of uncooked medium egg noodles and 1 cup of shredded cooked turkey into the hot soup. Make sure the noodles are submerged in the liquid so they cook properly.
- Finish Cooking: Replace the lid on the slow cooker. Continue to cook the soup for an additional 15 minutes on HIGH, or until the egg noodles are tender to your liking. Keep an eye on the noodles to prevent them from becoming too soft or mushy. This short burst of cooking is just enough for the pasta.
- Add Peas: Finally, remove the lid and stir in 1/2 cup of frozen peas. The residual heat from the soup will quickly warm them through. If you prefer, you can add fresh spinach here as well; it will wilt in the hot broth.
- Serve Hot: Carefully ladle the heartwarming turkey noodle soup into individual serving bowls. Remove and discard the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your delicious, homemade slow cooker turkey noodle soup immediately while it’s warm and comforting.
Pro Tips for the Best Turkey Noodle Soup
Elevate your slow cooker turkey noodle soup with these expert tips and easily troubleshoot any common issues.
- Sauté Vegetables First: For an extra layer of flavor, quickly sauté your carrots, onion, and celery in a skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker. This caramelizes the veggies and adds depth to the broth.
- Use Homemade Stock: If you have it, homemade turkey or chicken stock will significantly enhance the richness and overall flavor of your soup. It truly makes a difference.
- Add Fresh Herbs at the End: Stir in a handful of fresh chopped parsley or dill just before serving. The vibrant freshness brightens the soup and adds a beautiful aroma.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your soup before serving. You may need to add a bit more salt, pepper, or other spices to achieve your perfect flavor balance.
- Avoid Overcooking Noodles: Egg noodles cook quickly. Adding them only during the last 15-20 minutes ensures they are tender but still have a pleasant bite, preventing mushiness.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Soup too thin? For a thicker consistency, remove about 1/2 cup of vegetables, mash them, and stir them back into the soup. Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the hot soup until thickened.
- Soup too thick? Simply add more chicken stock or water, a quarter cup at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Stir well and allow it to heat through.
- Flavor is bland? This is often due to insufficient seasoning. Add more salt, a dash of extra black pepper, or a pinch more dried herbs like thyme or sage. A splash of lemon juice can also brighten flavors.
- Turkey is dry? If using pre-cooked turkey, ensure you add it during the last hour or even just for the final 15 minutes of cooking. This prevents it from drying out in the slow cooker and keeps it tender.
Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Variations
This versatile slow cooker turkey noodle soup is a fantastic meal on its own, but these ideas will help you make the most of it.
Serving Suggestions
- Crusty Bread: Serve your soup with warm, crusty bread or soft dinner rolls for dipping.
- Crackers: A side of your favorite crackers, like oyster crackers or saltines, provides a classic accompaniment.
- Fresh Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh parsley, dill, or chives adds a pop of color and fresh flavor.
- Light Salad: Pair with a simple green salad dressed with a vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
Storage Instructions
- Cool Completely: Always allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to storage containers. This prevents bacterial growth and condensation.
- Refrigerate: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends following safe food storage practices for leftovers to ensure freshness and prevent foodborne illness, typically allowing 3-4 days in the refrigerator for cooked soups. Store cooled soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Noodles Warning: Be aware that noodles can become mushy after freezing and thawing. For best texture, consider cooking and adding fresh noodles when reheating frozen soup.
Recipe Variations
- Creamy Soup: Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of heavy cream or a can of full-fat coconut milk (for dairy-free) during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a richer, creamier broth.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce along with the other seasonings for a little heat.
- Extra Veggies: Boost the nutrition and texture by including sliced mushrooms, diced zucchini, or extra corn. Add tender vegetables like zucchini during the last hour.
- Herb Boost: Experiment with fresh herbs! Garnish with fresh rosemary, marjoram, or even a sprig of fresh thyme for added aromatic complexity.
- Gluten-Free: Easily make this recipe gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free egg noodles or a small gluten-free pasta. Alternatively, substitute with rice.
- Dairy-Free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free. If you opt for a creamy variation, use coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Enjoy this wholesome turkey noodle soup knowing it’s a nutritious choice for your family. The values below are approximate per serving.
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 118 |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Cholesterol | 32 mg |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Protein | 11 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Sodium | 488 mg |
| Total Fat | 2 g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some common questions about making this delightful turkey noodle soup.
- Can I use raw turkey? Yes, you certainly can. Dice raw turkey breast or thighs into 1-inch pieces and add them to the slow cooker at the very beginning with the vegetables.
- What kind of noodles work best? Medium or wide egg noodles are traditional for their comforting texture. However, any small pasta shape like ditalini, elbow macaroni, or rotini also works well.
- Can I make this soup vegetarian? Absolutely! Omit the turkey and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. You can add extra vegetables, canned cannellini beans, or chickpeas for protein.
- How do I prevent mushy noodles? The key is timing. Add the noodles only during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking. This ensures they cook through without becoming overdone and mushy.
- Can I freeze turkey noodle soup? Yes, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months. For the best texture, cook and add fresh noodles when you reheat the thawed soup, as noodles can soften considerably after freezing.
Conclusion
This heartwarming slow cooker turkey noodle soup truly delivers on comfort and simplicity. It’s the ideal meal for busy parents and beginners, transforming everyday ingredients into a nourishing, delicious dish with minimal fuss. Perfect for using up leftovers or simply enjoying a wholesome meal, this adaptable family favorite will quickly become a cherished recipe in your home. Share your wonderful slow cooker turkey noodle soup creations with us!
Heartwarming Slow Cooker Turkey Noodle Soup
This heartwarming and easy-to-make turkey noodle soup is perfect for a cozy meal, cooked slowly to perfection with tender turkey, vegetables, and egg noodles.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Preparation
- Combine the chopped carrots, onion, celery, chicken stock, black pepper, garlic powder, rubbed sage, thyme leaves, bay leaves, and salt in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
- Cook the mixture for 3 hours on the HIGH setting or for 6 hours on the LOW setting.
- Stir in the uncooked egg noodles and shredded cooked turkey. Cover and continue to cook on HIGH for 15 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Finally, stir in the frozen peas and ladle the heartwarming soup into serving bowls.
Notes
This heartwarming slow cooker turkey noodle soup is perfect for using up leftover turkey. Adjust seasonings to your taste for a personalized flavor.