Thanksgiving dinner is over, and the pumpkin pie is long gone, but leftover Thanksgiving turkey always seems to linger. If your fridge is like mine, it’s packed with leftover turkey meat begging to be put to good use.
One delicious way to use that leftover turkey is to whip up a warm, hearty pot of Creamy Turkey Chowder with my easy soup recipe.
Not only can you make this turkey chowder recipe right after Thanksgiving, but you can also freeze your turkey and use it up to six months later and still have this wonderful soup. What a great way to keep using your turkey leftovers for a while and not have to throw them away!!
Want to find out how to make this delicious soup the whole family will love? Here’s a little secret. I took my potato soup recipe and a few ingredients from my chicken chowder recipe, put them together, added my leftover holiday turkey, and got this delicious soup.
Grab an apron and your supplies and let’s get to making this easy turkey chowder.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 3 stalks of celery, chopped
- 1 stick of butter (I used salted)
- 2 dashes of onion salt
- 2 dashes of garlic salt
- 1 cup of bite-sized carrots
- 10 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- Leftover turkey meat, shredded
- 1/2 block of Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 3 cups of milk
- 1/2 cup of chicken broth
- Water (enough to cover carrots and potatoes while cooking)
- salt and lots of black pepper to taste
Kitchen Tools
- large soup pot or Dutch oven
- wooden spoon
- food processor
- cutting board
- knife
- potato peeler
- liquid measuring cup
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare
Start by washing veggies and cutting them up. Chop the celery in the food processor until very fine. Cut carrots and potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Then, cube Velveeta cheese.
- Prepare the Base
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, melt the stick of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped celery and sauté until soft. Sprinkle in onion salt and garlic salt for a flavorful base.
- Add in Carrots
Add the carrots to the sauteed celery barely and cover with water. Cook until they are tender enough to stick a fork in but not mushy. You don’t want to overcook them because you have more ingredients to add to the pot.
- Add in Potatoes
Next, add in the potatoes and barely cover with water, and allow them to cook until they are tender enough to stick a fork through but do not allow them to get mushy like when mashing potatoes.
- Add Thickening to Chowder
Mix 1/4 a cup of flour into your cold milk with a whisk then add to the soup, bring to a boil for a minute stirring continuously. - Combine the last Ingredients
Finally, add in chicken broth, cubed Velveeta cheese, turkey, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the chowder is thickened.
- Ready To Serve
You can serve it, or put it in a slow cooker for the rest of the day. Adding this turkey chowder to the slow cooker is the perfect way for all flavors to meld together longer, making it more it even more amazing!
Easy Recipe For Creamy Turkey Chowder
This Turkey Chowder is one of the best soups because it’s hearty and comforting and uses your leftover turkey meat! Its creamy goodness is a great way to warm up on a cold day!
Ingredients
- 3 stalks of celery, chopped
- 1 stick of butter (I used salted)
- 2 dashes of onion salt
- 2 dashes of garlic salt
- 1 cup of bite-sized carrots
- 10 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- Leftover turkey meat, shredded
- 1/2 block of Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 3 cups of milk
- 1/2 cup of chicken broth
- Water (enough to cover carrots and potatoes while cooking)
- salt and lots of black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and prep veggies, peel potatoes, cut potatoes and carrots into bite-sized pieces. Chop the celery in the food processor until it's fine. Cube Velvetta cheese and shred the turkey meat.
- In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, saute 1 stick of butter, 2 dashes of onion salt, 2 dashes of garlic salt, and chopped celery on medium heat.
- Add in 1 cup of carrots, barely covering with water. Cook until tender enough to stick a fork in, but not mushy.
- Next, add 10 cubed potatoes, barely covering them with water. Cook until tender enough to stick a fork in, but not mushy.
- Mix 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour with 3 cups of milk and whisk together until flour is dissolved. Then pour into your Dutch oven bringing to a boil for a minute or two stirring the whole time. This will allow it to thicken.
- Finally, add 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 1/2 block of cubbed Velveeta cheese, leftover turkey meat, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the soup is thickened.
- Ready to serve.
- The best way is to make this delicious soup in the morning and put it in a slow cooker for the rest of the day. By supper time the flavors have melded together to make it even more amazing.
Notes
- If your turkey has been frozen, sit it out to thaw before you start.
- Place leftover turkey chowder in an airtight container for a couple of days.
- Remember you are using leftover turkey meat. You need to eat this soup within a few days.
- Stir continuously after the milk goes in so the milk doesn't scorch or the thickening stick to the bottom.
Final Thoughts
This easy recipe for creamy turkey chowder is one of the best soups because it’s hearty and comforting on a cold day, and frugal. Using leftover turkey is the best way to cut down on food waste while creating a completely new meal.
The Velveeta cheese adds a creamy richness, and the combination of veggies makes it both nutritious and filling. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a potluck with friends this holiday season.
Enjoy every spoonful of this warm, delicious chowder—it’s a taste of Thanksgiving that lasts a little longer!
Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of thyme while cooking the base.
- If you like your chowder thicker add a little more flour to your milk.
- You may like to eat this with a piece of crusty bread.
Pin It For Later
Ready to make this chowder? Pin this recipe for later or share it with a friend who loves easy and comforting meals!
Leave A Comment
What are your favorite ways to use leftover turkey? Let me know in the comments below!
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