Turkey Orzo Soup is the best way to use leftover turkey! This healthy and filling soup is packed full of flavor and comes together in just minutes!
Turkey Orzo Soup is a simple and delicious way to use any leftover turkey or chicken you have on hand. This hearty and healthy soup is quick to put together and is the perfect comfort food in a bowl.
If you love soups, be sure to try this Italian Sausage Kale Bean Soup or this updated take on classic Pasta e Fagioli Soup. And, definitely try this Pasta e Ceci recipe.
This recipe was made using the meat from my Italian Roast Turkey recipe. If you are looking for a simple and delicious roast turkey, I highly recommend trying this recipe!
Why You Need to Make this Recipe
Turkey Orzo Soup is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover turkey meat. You can use turkey breast, thigh, or even leftover rotisserie chicken for this recipe.
This soup is comforting and nutritious too. It's packed full of veggies and broth to keep you healthy and warm during the colder months.
I love to include orzo pasta in this recipe. Orzo is a short grain-shaped pasta that's great to add to soups and stews.
Kids love this recipe too! The small pasta is fun to eat and it's extra delicious with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top.
So, if you leftover holiday turkey, be sure to give this Turkey Orzo Soup a try! Simple and quick, this is one leftovers meal you can look forward to eating.
Ingredients and Substitutions
The ingredients for Turkey Orzo Soup are: leftover diced turkey meat, orzo pasta, olive oil, onion, lemon, chicken broth, garlic, celery, carrots, parsley, and seasonings.
- Turkey: use whatever leftover diced turkey you have on hand. I used turkey breast here, but feel free to use dark meat if you prefer that. Leftover cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken works great too.
- Orzo: orzo pasta is a small pasta that resembles rice. You can use any small pasta for this recipe like shells, macaroni, or ditalini.
- Chicken broth: chicken broth is used here because it's the easiest to find and the one I always seem to have on hand. You can also use turkey broth, vegetable broth, or water and bouillon cubes.
- Italian Seasoning: I like to keep it simple and just use Italian seasoning here. But if you don't have it, you can always use a combo of dried thyme, oregano, and rosemary.
- Lemon: I like to finish off this soup with a squeeze of fresh lemon. However, if you like the soup as is, you can always skip the lemon and just add parsley.
How to Make Turkey Orzo Soup
If you have leftover holiday turkey, then you need to make this delicious and simple Turkey Orzo Soup. You can also substitute rotisserie chicken if that's what you have on hand.
Step 1: dice and cook the veggies until softened.
In a large crockpot over medium high heat, combine the olive oil and diced veggies. Here, I use onion, carrot, and celery. Let it cook for about 5 minutes to soften.
Step 2: add in the garlic and seasonings.
Once the veggies have softened, add in minced garlic and seasonings. For this recipe, keep it simple and just use kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Just stir together and cook for a minute.
Step 3: add in the broth.
Once the veggies have softened, add in about 8 cups of chicken broth. If you don't have broth you can always use water and bouillon. Bring the soup to a low boil.
Step 4: cook the pasta.
The final step is to add the orzo pasta and diced cooked turkey breast into the pot once the soup is boiling. Cook the pasta only until al dente according to package instructions and be sure to stir the pasta frequently so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
Finishing off the Soup
Once the pasta is cooked, I like to finish off Turkey Orzo Soup with a squeeze of lemon and some chopped parsley. However you can skip the lemon if you don't like the taste of it.
And, as is with any soup, a good sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese on top is necessary! I also like to serve mine with some crusty bread.
So, if you leftover turkey breast from the holidays, you need to give this soup a try. Simple and delicious, you'll look forward to the leftovers!
Expert Tips
- Use a large 5-6 quart dutch oven or soup pot for this recipe.
- Don't let the garlic cook too long once you add it to the pot. A minute or so is good before adding in the broth.
- Be sure to stir the orzo once you add it to the soup so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
- No orzo? You can always substitute whatever small pasta you have on hand. Broken pieces of spaghetti work too!
- A turkey breast will give you about 3 cups of diced turkey. You don't have to use all white meat either. Use whatever you have on hand, diced leftover chicken works here.
- I like to finish off my soup with a squeeze of lemon juice. This is optional and according to your taste.
- This Turkey Orzo Soup, along with most soups, is great served with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
One breast of a 12-15 pound turkey will yield approximately 3 cups of diced turkey meat.
While orzo may look like rice, thanks to its small grain-like shape, it is actually pasta and should be cooked as such.
Turkey Orzo Soup is an excellent way to use up leftover turkey meat. You will need approximately 3 cups of diced turkey for the recipe, as well as diced veggies, broth, and orzo pasta.
Similar Recipes
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Turkey Orzo Soup
Equipment
- large pot or dutch oven
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 stalks celery, diced
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about a tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups diced turkey breast
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- 1 lemon, juiced
- grated parmesan for topping (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium high heat olive oil and add in onion, celery, and carrot. Cook, stirring, until veggies have softened, about 5 minutes. Add in garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the soup to a low boil. Add in the diced turkey and orzo, stirring frequently so that the orzo doesn't stick to the bottom. Cook until the orzo is al dente; about 9 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped parsley and lemon juice. Serve with grated parmesan.
Notes
- This recipe was made using leftover turkey meat from this Italian Roast Turkey recipe.
- Use a large 5-6 quart dutch oven or soup pot for this recipe.
- Be sure to stir the orzo once you add it to the soup so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
- No orzo? You can always substitute whatever small pasta you have on hand. Broken pieces of spaghetti work too!
- A turkey breast will give you about 3 cups of diced turkey. You don't have to use all white meat either. Use whatever you have on hand, diced leftover chicken works here.
- I like to finish off my soup with a squeeze of lemon juice. This is optional and according to your taste.
- This Turkey Orzo Soup, along with most soups, is great served with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese on top.
Katherine
This is my new favorite way to use up leftover turkey! So good.
angelakallison
Thanks! Me too 🙂
Beth
This sounds absolutely delicious. I love making soups like this when the weather gets cold.
Dannii
Such a great way to use up leftover turkey and so much flavour.
Toni
This is such an amazing way to use up leftover turkey! Saving this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Tara
Oooh, so many wonderful flavors packed into this soup. Such a fantastic use for leftover turkey during the holidays too.