Quick and Easy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe

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This Turkey and Rice Soup is one of those feel-good, back-pocket recipes that checks all the boxes: comforting, flavorful, veggie-packed, and super easy to pull together. It’s perfect for using up leftover turkey. The broth is savory and aromatic, the rice adds just enough heartiness.

Turkey and Rice Soup in a white bowl with a spoon.

Table of Contents

There’s something profoundly comforting about a warm bowl of soup, especially when the chill of the season nudges you indoors. As soon as the fall season hits, I crave all our Fall Soup Recipes from our Easy Wonton Soup down to our delicious Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe.

Yet this time of year also brings the holiday season, and with that all those large hearty meals with so many holiday leftovers to use up. That’s when Thanksgiving leftovers turn into our Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup.

This turkey and rice soup is a great soup recipe to make when you have leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Maybe you even tried our Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe and have leftovers.

With the delicate balance of tender turkey, aromatic broth, and soft rice – it’s a soup that soothes the soul with every spoonful.

Whether you’re savoring leftovers from a holiday feast or crafting a wholesome meal from scratch, this recipe invites a quiet joy in its simple, nourishing goodness.

This easy turkey and rice soup recipe is exactly what a warm bowl of comfort food should provide, the best thing to combat a chilly day.

This delicious turkey rice soup is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free (double-check your broth label to be safe).

We know the season comes with many reasons to need more recipes for turkey leftovers, so here’s another for you to try: Easy Turkey Pot Pie. You can even use up our Homemade Turkey Gravy leftovers for that one.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hearty and Nourishing – This soup is substantial yet light, and a perfect remedy for cool days or when you’re seeking something wholesome and restorative.
Easy to Make – With a prep time of 15 minutes for some chopping, and 30 minutes of stovetop cooking time – it’s a soup that is made in no time. Effortless with big results.
Versatile – Make it your own by using other seasonal vegetables or seasonings.

Total Time: 45 Minutes

Serves: 6

Turkey and Rice Soup in a pot with a ladle.

Ingredients and Notes

As always, the full ingredients and recipe is on the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Ingredients on a table to make Turkey and Rice Soup.

Cooked Turkey – You can use any leftover turkey meat, whether it’s white meat or dark meat. If you’re craving this recipe and want to cook turkey quickly so you can make this, try our Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe. You could even use rotisserie chicken if that’s what you’ve got.
Rice – Long grain white rice is typically preferred for its ability to remain fluffy and avoid becoming overly sticky in soups. You can substitute with brown rice for a nutty flavor and chewier texture, but it will require longer cooking time to soften properly.
Broth – Chicken broth (or turkey broth) is the best to use, yet you can use vegetable broth if you need to. Opt for low sodium broth to control the sodium content. You can also use a homemade turkey stock made from the turkey carcass if you’re feeling extra.
Vegetables – I keep this turkey and rice soup recipe simple with onions, carrots and celery yet there’s room for more vegetable substitutes.

Recipe Variations

Use wild rice: Swap the white rice for cooked wild rice or a wild rice blend. I suggest adding it at the end to avoid overcooking when making turkey wild rice soup.
Add greens: Stir in a handful of baby spinach, leeks or kale during the last few minutes of cooking.
More Veggies: Feel free to add other root vegetables such as parsnips, turnips, or sweet potatoes for added sweetness, bulk, and texture.
Make it lemony: A splash of fresh lemon juice before serving brightens the flavor beautifully.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a pinch of smoked paprika, or a small dash of cayenne for a little heat.
Make a Creamy Soup Version: Stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk after cooking for a richer, velvety finish. In this case, you might also love our Creamy Potato Soup Recipe.

a bowl of Turkey and Rice Soup on a table with bread slices.

Tips for Success

Rinse the Rice Before Cooking to remove excess starch and help achieve separate, fluffy grains in the soup. This small step prevents the broth from becoming cloudy and overly thickened.
If your rice absorbs too much broth while sitting, just add a splash more of broth before serving or reheating.
Control the Salt by using low sodium chicken broth, especially since the turkey may already contain salt. It’s best to taste and season the soup at the end to avoid over-salting.
Let the Soup Rest for a bit off the heat before serving, to deepen the flavors and allow the rice to absorb the broth and seasonings more fully.

How to Make Turkey and Rice Soup

chopped carrots and celery in a large pot to make soup.

STEP 1 – Sauté the veggies
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven, over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften.

chopped carrots and celery in a soup pot.

STEP 2 – Add the seasoning
Sprinkle in the garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir for another 30 seconds or so to wake up those spices.

STEP 3 – Pour in the broth and add rice
Add the chicken stock and bring it to a gentle boil. Once it’s bubbling, stir in the uncooked rice.

STEP 4 – Simmer it down
Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer uncovered for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.

shredded turkey being poured into a pot of soup.

STEP 5 – Add turkey and warm through
Stir in the shredded cooked turkey and let everything simmer for another 5 minutes so it’s heated through.

Turkey and Rice Soup cooking in a large pot.

STEP 6 – Serve and garnish
Ladle this best soup into bowls and top with fresh herbs (a few sprigs of fresh thyme (or even fresh parsley). Serve hot.

What to Serve with Turkey Soup

This hearty soup is great for lunch or an easy dinner, especially after the holidays. While you can serve it alone, there’s some great sides that pair well too:

Crusty Bread – A warm, crusty baguette, our Homemade Biscuit Recipe, a slice of sourdough, or even Air Fryer Garlic Toast. They are all perfect for dipping and soaking up the flavorful broth.

Simple Green Salad – A lightly dressed salad of mixed greens can refresh the palate and add a crisp contrast.

Storage and Freezing

This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store leftover turkey soup in an airtight container and reheat on the stove or in the microwave. If the rice soaks up too much broth, just add a splash of water or extra stock when reheating.

This cozy soup also freezes well for up to 2-3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing the leftover soup in individual portions. When ready to enjoy, take it out of the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then reheat gently on the stove to prevent overcooking the rice.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use brown rice for turkey soup?

Yes, but it takes longer to cook and may soak up more liquid. You might want to cook it separately and stir it in at the end.

Can I make this turkey soup recipe in the slow cooker?

Yes, just sauté the veggies first, then add everything (except the turkey) to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours. Stir in the turkey at the end.

Should you cook rice before adding it to turkey soup?

If you have leftover rice, you can add it to the soup with the turkey. Yet, if you have uncooked rice, you do not have to cook it first. The rice cooks in the broth while the soup simmers.

More Homemade Soup Recipes

If you’ve tried this Turkey Soup with Rice Recipe or any other recipe on my blog please let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Finally, consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you’re here. Thanks!

Turkey and Rice Soup

This Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe is a homemade soup and a fantastic way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays. With plenty of vegetables and long grain white rice, it's a bowl of comfort food.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 45

Servings:

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Author: Tammi

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion (diced)
3 carrots (peeled and sliced)
3 celery stalks (sliced)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
8 cups chicken broth
1½ cups cooked turkey (shredded)
fresh thyme (for garnish)

Instructions

Sauté the veggies
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften.
Add the seasoning
Sprinkle in the garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir for another 30 seconds or so to wake up those spices.
Pour in the broth and add rice
Add the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Once it’s bubbling, stir in the uncooked rice.
Simmer it down
Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer uncovered for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
Add turkey and warm through
Stir in the shredded cooked turkey and let everything simmer for another 5 minutes so it’s heated through.
Serve and garnish
Ladle into bowls and top with a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Serve hot.

Notes

You can use any leftover turkey here, white or dark meat, or even chicken if that’s what you’ve got.
If your rice absorbs too much broth while sitting, just add a splash more before serving or reheating.

Storage Info

This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store in an airtight container and reheat on the stove or in the microwave. If the rice soaks up too much broth, just add a splash of water or extra stock when reheating.

It also freezes well for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before freezing in individual portions. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual.

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