Hearty Turkey Noodle Soup

This is the soup that turns the leftover turkey carcass and a tray of picked meat into the second-best meal of the holiday weekend. Egg noodles, the classic French mirepoix of carrot, celery and onion, and a hot bowl of homemade chicken broth all come together in under 30 minutes. No fancy stocks, no overnight simmering.

The mirepoix saute is the flavor foundation. Cooking the carrot, celery and onion in margarine (or butter) until soft but not browned releases their natural sugars and creates the savory base that makes a soup taste finished instead of thin. Skip this step and the soup tastes like boiled water with stuff in it.

Using chicken soup base or bouillon instead of real stock is the convenience shortcut that works for this kind of soup. The flavor comes mostly from the turkey, vegetables, and aromatic sweat; the bouillon just provides salt and umami backbone. Real homemade turkey stock would be better but isn’t necessary for a good result.

The noodles cook directly in the broth, which is the right move for a hearty soup. The released starch thickens the broth slightly and turns it cloudier and richer than if the noodles were cooked separately. Don’t worry about the noodles getting soggy if eaten right away; if storing leftovers, cook the noodles separately and add per serving.

Pro Tips

• Use a real Thanksgiving turkey carcass to make stock instead of bouillon for richer flavor. Simmer with onion, bay leaves, and peppercorns for 2 hours.
• Skip the frozen carrots if you have fresh. Dice fresh carrots and cook them slightly longer in the saute step.
• Add the turkey at the end so it just warms through. Long-cooked leftover turkey turns stringy.
• Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or dill for a brighter finish.

Variations

• Substitute leftover chicken for turkey at any time of year.
• Add a Parmesan rind or a 1-inch piece of ginger to the broth while it simmers for extra depth.
• Use rice or orzo in place of egg noodles.
• Stir in 1 cup of frozen peas or spinach in the last 2 minutes for added vegetables.