5 Crockpot Turkey Carcass Soup Recipes

Discovering new ways to utilize Thanksgiving leftovers can often feel like a challenge. While turkey sandwiches and casseroles are the go-to choices, there's a lesser-known gem in the world of leftover turkey recipes: the Turkey Carcass Soup. Here's how you can transform your leftover turkey carcass into a hearty, comforting soup using your trusty crockpot. This method not only saves you effort but also maximizes the flavor extracted from the bones, making your soup extra rich and delicious.

What is a Turkey Carcass Soup?

Once your Thanksgiving turkey has been carved and served, the remains are what we call the carcass. Turkey Carcass Soup uses this leftover carcass, bones, and often any remaining meat or giblets to create a rich stock. This stock, then combined with various vegetables, herbs, and sometimes noodles or grains, forms a soup that is not only comforting but also a great way to ensure no part of the turkey goes to waste.

Benefits of Crockpot Turkey Carcass Soup

• Minimal Effort: Your crockpot does most of the work. Simply assemble your ingredients and let it cook for hours.
• Flavor Extraction: The slow cooking process allows for deep flavor extraction from the bones.
• Reduced Waste: By making soup from the carcass, you’re practicing sustainable cooking by using every part of the bird.
• Comfort in a Bowl: Turkey soup is known for its soothing properties, perfect for chilly evenings or recovering from holiday excesses.

Recipe 1: Classic Turkey Carcass Soup

Ingredients:

• Turkey carcass (leftovers with some meat attached)
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 8 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon black pepper
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 cup cooked rice or noodles (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place the turkey carcass in the crockpot. Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, water, salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary.
2. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. This long, slow cooking process will extract maximum flavor from the bones.
3. After cooking, remove the carcass. Pick off any remaining meat and return it to the pot.
4. Strain the soup to remove bones or vegetable bits if you prefer a clearer soup, or blend a portion for thickness.
5. Add cooked rice or noodles if desired, let it sit for an additional 30 minutes on low to warm through.

Recipe 2: Spicy Turkey Carcass Soup

If you enjoy a bit of heat with your meal, this spicy twist on the classic recipe will tantalize your taste buds.

Ingredients:

• Turkey carcass
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 jalapeños, seeded and minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 8 cups chicken or turkey stock
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Cilantro for garnish
• Lime wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Add the turkey carcass, onion, jalapeños, garlic, tomatoes, stock, cumin, and chili powder to the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. Once cooked, remove the carcass, pick off the meat, and return it to the soup.
4. Strain or blend as desired, garnish with cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Recipe 3: Herb-Infused Turkey Carcass Soup

Ingredients:

• Turkey carcass
• 2 leeks, white and light green parts, cleaned and sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bunch of fresh herbs (parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme)
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 cups water or stock
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked barley or quinoa (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine the turkey carcass, leeks, garlic, herbs, bay leaf, and water in the crockpot.
2. Season with salt and pepper, cook on low for 8 hours.
3. Remove the carcass, pick the meat, and discard the bones and herb stems.
4. Stir in the barley or quinoa, warm through, and serve.

Recipe 4: Creamy Turkey Carcass Soup

This version provides a creamy texture that's incredibly satisfying.

Ingredients:

• Turkey carcass
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine (optional)
• 1 cup heavy cream or milk
• 8 cups chicken or turkey stock
• Thyme and sage for flavor

Instructions:

1. Place the turkey carcass, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, wine, and stock in the crockpot. Add thyme and sage.
2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. Remove the carcass, strain, and return the meat to the pot.
4. Blend a portion of the soup for creaminess, then stir in the heavy cream or milk, let it heat through.

Recipe 5: Asian-Inspired Turkey Carcass Soup

Ingredients:

• Turkey carcass
• 1 inch ginger, peeled and sliced
• 2 star anise
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
• 8 cups water
• 1 cup chopped bok choy or spinach
• Rice noodles (cooked separately)
• Green onions and cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add the turkey carcass, ginger, star anise, garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, and water to the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
3. Remove and strain, pick off the meat.
4. Add bok choy or spinach to the soup, cook until wilted.
5. Serve over rice noodles, garnished with green onions and cilantro.

These recipes provide a broad spectrum of flavors and techniques to get the most out of your leftover turkey. By employing your crockpot, you ensure that the soup is not only easy to make but also deeply flavorful. The slow extraction of flavors from the bones creates a rich base that can be transformed into various comforting and delicious dishes.

How long can I keep the soup?

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You can refrigerate the soup for up to 4 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, consider freezing it for up to 3 months.

Can I make this soup with a non-turkey carcass?

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Yes, you can use chicken or any other poultry carcass to make a similar soup. The process remains the same, with adjustments to cooking times based on the size of the carcass.

What can I do if I don’t have a slow cooker?

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You can use a large pot on the stove. Simmer the ingredients for about 2-3 hours, covered, on low heat, ensuring to stir occasionally.

Are there any vegetarian alternatives?

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Yes, you can make a vegetable stock using mirepoix (onions, carrots, celery) with vegetable bouillon, mushrooms for umami, and herbs to mimic the depth of flavor found in turkey carcass soup.