This easy one pot turkey orzo soup is a great way to use all that leftover Thanksgiving turkey. It takes only 30 minutes to make. You’ll love this comforting and cozy turkey orzo soup!
I’m already thinking about what to do with leftover turkey. In case you’re wondering, I’m going to make this amazing orange honey glazed turkey breast, and I know that I will have plenty of leftover turkey. So let me tell you all about this comforting, easy, and delicious turkey orzo soup!
The turkey orzo soup is loaded with tender carrots and other vegetables, chicken broth, spices, fresh herbs, and of course, shredded leftover turkey. It comes together in about 30 minutes and makes enough for 6 to 8 people. I love adding a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness and fresh Italian parsley for freshness. It’s the best!
Last year, I made a creamy turkey wild rice soup and it was a huge hit! Soups are always my go-to thing to make with leftover turkey because it’s so easy and comforting, and my turkey orzo soup is no exception.
Turkey Orzo Soup Ingredients
Of course, you’ll need leftover turkey to make this turkey orzo soup. But if you don’t have any turkey left and you still want to make this soup, feel free to use chicken. A rotisserie chicken would be perfect.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Leftover turkey: Not deli turkey, obviously. I like to use turkey breast.
- Olive oil: Used to sauté the veggies.
- Minced garlic: C’mon, garlic makes everything better! Use fresh garlic.
- Yellow onion: Diced. Use yellow or sweet onions.
- Celery: Diced.
- Carrots: Peeled and diced.
- Fresh thyme: This will build a great flavor profile.
- Dried oregano: I always use dried oregano in this type of soup. I love the aromatic flavors.
- Chicken broth: You’ll need about 6 to 7 cups.
- Orzo: Orzo pasta looks like rice, but it’s just pasta. I love the texture!
- Lemon: Adds brightness and “wakes up” the soup!
- Fresh Italian parsley: Fresh parsley will transform the soup. Adds tons of flavor and freshness.
- Salt and pepper to taste
As you can see, this turkey vegetable soup recipe calls for very simple and fresh ingredients. I love everything about it!
How to Make Turkey Orzo Soup
I swear, this turkey orzo soup is probably one of the easiest things to make. Takes about 30 minutes total. You can even prep some of the ingredients ahead of time (see recipe card below for make ahead instructions).
- Cook the vegetables until softened: Heat some olive oil over medium high heat and add the garlic, onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add the herbs: Fresh thyme and dried oregano.
- Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil: You’ll need about 7-8 cups of chicken broth for a large 6 quart pot.
- Add shredded turkey and orzo and simmer: It should take about 15 minutes for the turkey to absorb the flavors and for the orzo to cook. This is also a good time to season the soup with salt and pepper if needed.
- Add parsley and a squeeze of lemon to taste: these 2 ingredients really add brightness and freshness!
That’s all! Easy peasy.
Having cooked turkey makes this turkey orzo soup super easy and straightforward. If you don’t have any turkey left and still want to make it, simply use a rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breasts.
Variations and Substitutions
If you can’t find certain ingredients, you can change it up. Here are some ideas:
- Turkey: Use rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breast.
- Fresh thyme: If you don’t have fresh thyme, use dried thyme (half the amount or to taste). Dried thyme is very strong.
- Dried oregano: You can also use herbs de provence or Italian seasoning.
- Orzo: Other pastas you can use are ditalini, rotini, acini di pepe, or wide egg noodles.
If you want to load this soup with extra vegetables, try adding spinach, peas, or corn. Anything you’d like!
What to Serve with this Soup
I love to serve this type of soup with a side of bread. I think a baguette or ciabatta would go really well!
If you’re looking for more fancy breads, try my rosemary focaccia, cast iron skillet cornbread, super soft honey dinner rolls, or sundried tomato pesto rolls. Or you could try these everything bagel rolls!
Thank you for stopping by! I love sharing tried and tested recipes with you all.
I promise that you will love this one pot turkey orzo soup. It’s easy, simple, and comforting. It makes a large pot, so you’ll have plenty to feed a large group of people.
If you’re looking for more cozy soup recipes, check these out:
- Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup (another great idea for leftover turkey!)
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Lentil Soup with Carrots and Kale
- Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Please don’t forget to pin this recipe!
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Turkey Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves - (or 1 teaspoon or less dried thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano - (or Italian seasoning)
- 6 to 7 cups chicken broth, plus more as needed
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 3 cups cooked leftover turkey breast, cubed or shredded - (not deli turkey)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A handful of Italian parsley
- 1 lemon - (optional)
Instructions
- Heat about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Sauté garlic, onion, carrots and celery until softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add thyme and dried oregano. Cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring.
- Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Then, add shredded turkey and the uncooked orzo. Season with salt and pepper to taste if needed. Bring to a boil and lower heat to simmer for about 15 minutes, half-covered or uncovered, until orzo is tender or cooked to taste. Optional: add some water and simmer if you think the broth is too strong (it depends on which brand of broth you use).
- Remove from heat. Add freshly chopped Italian parsley. If desired, serve with a lemon wedge on the side, it adds brightness to the soup. Enjoy!
Notes
- Special equipment: a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Make ahead: You can dice the vegetables the day before and store in the fridge in an airtight container. The turkey can also be shredded ahead of time.
- Storing: Once the soup has cooled down, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. If freezing: let the soup cool down before storing in the freezer. Freeze up to 1 month in a freezer-friendly container. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator.
- Note on reheating: If you're storing leftovers, the orzo may have absorbed the liquid. When reheating, add some chicken broth and warm it up in a small pot or in the microwave oven.
Marie says
Can I use chicken stock instead of broth?
Tania says
Yup!
Shirley says
The best turkey soup I’ve ever made. I simmered the carcass for 4-5 hrs to make the broth. It was delicious.
Deb says
Soup is one of my most favorite foods, this soup is one of my top recipes now. SOOOOO GOOD & easy! Thank you
Erin says
This was so good! I skipped the celery and carrot and just used canned carrots and peas and it was still amazing. Restaurant quality.
Tori says
This is literally my favorite recipe! I made it over Thanksgiving to use my leftover turkey and now I make it once or twice a month! I usually boil and shred chicken to have on hand for lunches and now I make a batch of this while I’m at it! My husband asks for it all the time now! And he’s not much of a soup eater, ha! We love this and such a great, easy go to! I doctor it a little different each time but have found myself loving to add lemon juice while boiling the broth! Sooooo yummm. Thank you!!!
Tania says
Hi Tori! Thank you so much for trying my recipe. I am so happy to hear!!
Carol says
This soup was so good! I only had chicken on hand, but it did the trick! Easy, cozy Monday night soup. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Patti says
I have made chicken soup with orzo before and it sucked up all the broth and got gluey and sludgey. This doesn’t happen here?
Tania says
Hi Patti, try adding more broth. That should do it!
Janet says
Absolutely delicious! I made a pot right after Thanksgiving (with my turkey carcass stock) and my son loved it so much that I have pulled the remaining turkey stock out of the freezer to make another pot. Definitely add that squeeze of lemon juice at the end. It really brightens up the flavors. Thanks for the wonder recipe!
Kelly says
Can I use the turkey carcass?
Tania says
Yes, you can!
The Hungry Homestead says
Outstanding! Best leftover turkey recipe ever!
Dianne says
I discovered this recipe after thanksgiving (Canadian) and it’s absolutely amazing! Will be making it again tonight with my leftover roast chicken. I use Herbs de Provence instead of oregano.
Tania says
Thank you for making it, Dianne! I have also made it with leftover roast chicken and love it!
Alyssa says
Are you kidding me!? This soup was as my husband put it “bomb diggity!” ? The lemon takes it to a whole different level.
Tania says
Thank you for trying my turkey orzo soup recipe! I’m so happy you and your husband loved it! And yes, the lemon makes it so good 🙂
Summer says
Delicious way to use some of our Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! We enjoyed it yesterday and I’ll be making it again tomorrow since it looks like we’re going to be snowed in 🙂
Tania says
Thank you, Summer! Stay warm 🙂