Name: Hearty Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 medium onion diced; 4 large carrots peeled and diced; 3 stalks celery cleaned and diced; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 bay leaf; 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 3 cups turkey diced; 8 cups turkey stock homemade or store bought; 1 bag 12 oz egg noodles; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, optional

There’s nothing quite as cozy as a big bowl of soup simmering on the stove—and this Hearty Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles Recipe hits every note of comfort. It’s packed with tender turkey, fresh veggies, and those perfect egg noodles, making it a wonderful way to warm up and use up leftover turkey.

The image shows a white bowl filled with chicken noodle soup on a white marbled surface. The soup has clear broth with visible layers including wide, flat pale yellow noodles, thin slices of cooked chicken, bright orange carrot rounds, and light green celery pieces mixed with small bits of herbs. A spoon lifts a portion of the soup from the bowl, showing a detailed mix of these ingredients. In the background is a large pot filled with more of the same soup and two pieces of bread on the surface nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hearty Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Hearty Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Hearty Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this turkey soup more times than I can count—especially after holiday dinners when I want something nourishing without too much fuss. It’s always a hit with family and guests alike!

Comfort in a bowl: Hearty ingredients simmer together to create a rich, satisfying soup that feels like a warm hug.
Great for leftovers: This recipe is a fantastic way to give leftover turkey a delicious second life.
Simple, wholesome ingredients: We're keeping it natural with fresh veggies and homemade or quality turkey stock.
Family-friendly and filling: With egg noodles and plenty of protein, it’s ideal for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before we jump into the cooking, let’s chat about the key players in this soup. Using diced fresh vegetables ensures even cooking and a nice texture, while turkey stock—whether homemade or store-bought—adds deep flavor. And don’t skip the egg noodles; they’re the cozy carbohydrate that rounds it all out perfectly.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a medium fresh onion with light golden skin, four bright orange carrots peeled with leafy green tops, three crisp celery stalks vibrant green and trimmed, a single fresh glossy bay leaf, a small white ceramic bowl holding a mix of poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper, a portion of diced raw turkey meat pale pink with white marbling, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear golden turkey stock, a neat pile of uncooked yellow egg noodles, and a small bunch of fresh bright green parsley sprigs, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: A heart-healthy fat that gently sautés the onions and veggies, building the flavor base.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth when cooked until soft and translucent.
Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and bright color to the soup.
Celery: Offers a subtle earthiness and crunch before simmering.
Bay leaf: Infuses subtle herbal aromatics during the simmering process.
Poultry seasoning: Enhances the turkey flavor with a blend of herbs that feel homemade and warm.
Salt & pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing the soup’s flavors.
Diced turkey: The star protein, tender and ready to soak up all those lovely broth flavors.
Turkey stock: The flavorful broth base, homemade if possible for richness, or quality store-bought if short on time.
Egg noodles: Perfect for absorbing flavors without getting mushy when cooked just right.
Fresh parsley (optional): Adds a burst of freshness and color at the end, but feel free to skip if you’re out.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Hearty Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Feel free to tweak the veggies, spices, or even the noodles to match your preferences or whatever you have in your pantry.

Vegetable Boost: I love adding a handful of frozen peas or corn during the last 5 minutes of simmering—it brings a lovely pop of color and a touch of sweetness that elevates the soup beautifully.
Gluten-Free Swap: For friends avoiding gluten, I swap out egg noodles for gluten-free pasta or rice noodles. The texture stays comforting without missing a beat.
Leftover Love: Using leftover cooked turkey saves so much time. It’s a great way to transform holiday turkey into a fresh, warming meal perfect any day of the week.
Herbal Twist: Sometimes I swap poultry seasoning for fresh thyme or rosemary to experiment with different herbaceous notes that complement the turkey stock wonderfully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Hearty Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles Recipe

A white pot filled with chicken noodle soup sits on a white marbled surface with a wooden spoon inside. The soup has three main layers: clear golden broth on top with small green herb pieces floating, a middle layer of wide flat yellow noodles scattered throughout, and a layer of light beige cooked chicken pieces along with small diced orange carrots mixed in. In the background, there are slices of crusty light brown bread and stacked white bowls, with green parsley leaves also visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Veggies for Even Cooking

Start by dicing a medium onion, peeling and chopping four large carrots, plus cleaning and dicing three celery stalks. Keeping your pieces roughly the same size helps everything cook evenly and blend seamlessly into the soup. This fresh vegetable trio forms the flavorful base and ensures each spoonful is full of comforting texture.

Step 2: Sauté Onions to Soften and Sweeten

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a Dutch oven or large soup pan over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they turn tender and translucent—around 3 to 4 minutes. You’ll notice a lovely sweet aroma that signals the base for a rich and inviting soup.

Step 3: Add Carrots and Celery and Build Flavor

Next, toss in the diced carrots and celery. Let them cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring now and then to blend their flavors with the onions. This step adds depth and a fresh crunch that softens beautifully during the simmer later on.

Step 4: Season the Soup Base

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and add a bay leaf right into the mix. Stir everything well and cook for about 1 minute to wake up all those fragrant herbs and spices, allowing the aromas to infuse your soup base.

Step 5: Incorporate Turkey and Turkey Stock

Stir in 3 cups of diced turkey, then pour in 8 cups of turkey stock—either homemade for that extra depth or store-bought for convenience. Cover the pot and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, let it bubble vigorously for 5 minutes to meld all those flavors together.

Step 6: Let It Simmer Gently

Reduce the heat to low and allow the soup to simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. This gentle simmer softens the vegetables and helps all the ingredients harmonize into a hearty, comforting blend that makes this soup so satisfying.

Step 7: Cook the Egg Noodles Right In

Turn the heat up again to bring the soup back to a boil. Add a 12-ounce bag of egg noodles and cook them according to the package instructions—usually about 7 to 10 minutes—until tender but still slightly firm. Keep an eye on them to avoid sogginess. This step turns the soup into a complete, filling meal.

Step 8: Finish with Fresh Parsley and Serve

While the noodles cook, chop 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley if you like a fresh herb kick. Remove the bay leaf from the pot, stir in the parsley, and ladle the soup into bowls. Serve immediately to enjoy all the vibrant flavors and textures at their best.

Step 9: Storing Your Leftovers

Let any leftovers cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. This soup reheats beautifully, making it perfect for busy days when you want a quick, nourishing meal.

Top Tip

These tips can elevate your Hearty Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles Recipe from good to unforgettable by helping you balance flavors and textures perfectly every time.

Perfectly Cooked Noodles: Always check the egg noodles' package instructions and start tasting a minute or two before the suggested time to avoid overcooking and losing that lovely bite.
Use Homemade Stock if Possible: I’ve found that homemade turkey stock adds a depth of flavor that makes this soup truly cozy and rich, but quality store-bought stock works in a pinch and saves time.
Don’t Skip the Simmer: Allowing the soup to simmer gently for 20 minutes lets the veggies soften just right and the turkey flavors fully infuse the broth—totally worth the wait!
Bay Leaf Removal: Remember to remove the bay leaf before serving—nothing ruins the experience like someone biting into a tough bay leaf mid-bite.

How to Serve Hearty Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles Recipe

The image shows a white pot filled with layers of food on a white marbled surface. At the bottom, there is a mix of chopped green celery and orange carrots with a slightly soft texture. The top layer is made of small, white chunks of cooked chicken with a firm texture. A woman's hand is holding a light blue spoon, scooping or stirring the contents on the right side of the pot. In the background, there are blurred objects including a yellow bottle and a white bowl filled with long pasta. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Freshly chopped parsley is a wonderful garnish that adds a subtle freshness and color pop. You can also sprinkle a little grated Parmesan or a twist of black pepper on top. For a touch of richness, a small dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt can be delightful stirred in just before serving.

Side Dishes

This hearty soup pairs beautifully with crusty artisan bread or warm dinner rolls—perfect for dipping and soaking up every last bit. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette also complements the soup’s comforting flavors nicely for a well-rounded meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your soup, let any leftovers cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze the soup, but for best texture, it’s smart to freeze it without the egg noodles, as they may become mushy after thawing. Freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and add freshly cooked noodles before serving.

Reheating

Reheat your soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If reheating frozen soup, thaw it in the refrigerator first. Add freshly cooked egg noodles just before serving to keep their perfect texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use leftover turkey from a roast in this soup?

Absolutely! Leftover cooked turkey is perfect for this recipe and saves time by skipping the cooking step. Just dice it and add it when instructed.

Is there a substitute for egg noodles if I’m gluten-free?

Yes, you can swap egg noodles for gluten-free pasta or even rice noodles to keep this soup suitable for a gluten-free diet while retaining its comforting texture.

Can I add more vegetables?

Definitely! Peas, corn, green beans, or spinach can be great additions. Just add them about 5 minutes before the soup finishes simmering to keep their color and texture vibrant.

How can I prevent the noodles from getting soggy in leftovers?

The best tip is to cook noodles separately and add them fresh when serving. If that’s not possible, slightly undercook the noodles initially so they hold up better upon reheating.

Final Thoughts

This Hearty Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles Recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a warm embrace on a chilly day and a smart way to enjoy leftover turkey. With its balance of tender turkey, vibrant vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles, it’s sure to become a comforting favorite in your kitchen. So cozy up with a bowl, savor every spoonful, and maybe even share the love—it’s the kind of soup that brings people together.