Turkey Orzo Soup
Turkey Orzo Soup is a wonderful soup to help you recover from your Thanksgiving feast. Use the turkey carcass to make a lovely stock and any leftover meat you may have from the bird to make a comforting leftover turkey soup.
Turkey Orzo Soup is a wonderful soup to help you recover from your Thanksgiving feast. Use the turkey carcass to make a lovely stock. Then use that and any leftover meat you may have from the bird to make a comforting leftover turkey soup.
Note: This recipe for Turkey Orzo Soup was originally published on November 19, 2010, as part of the end of my participation in the Foodbuzz Project Food Blog competition. It has been updated with improved recipe notes, annotation, and photography. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen!
After the Party
Long after the turkey has been carved, and the once beautifully set table is reduced to an assortment of cleared platters, some perhaps, with a few remaining helpings…and after the gluttonous feasters have piled into their cars to make the drive home, and final goodbye kisses and hugs distributed…I always remember that moment of solitude. That quiet moment after a jovial celebration, when the house is silent, the family all of a sudden small, and the kitchen, well, a wreck. You have that wistful feeling in your stomach, wishing the fun could have lasted longer, exhaustion from days of cooking, and satisfaction that it was a memorable time.
You come to the quick realization that there is more work to be done.
The End of Another Type of Party
Those same post-Thanksgiving celebration symptoms hit me today. After a very fine run with Project Food Blog, the party for me ended today. I knew the end would arrive at some point, yet, I admit, there was certainly a moment of sadness when I found out I did not progress to the next challenge. When I decided to participate in the contest, my motivation was never about the prize. I just wanted to see how I could do. I was curious about the challenge. I found myself pouring my heart into each task, and what surprised me the most was how much I grew with each one. The contest challenged me to view my blog differently and helped me explore unusual ways to share what I love. And, it was fun.
In that moment of solitude, I found myself quite touched and overwhelmed by the thoughtful messages I received from fellow contestants and supporters. I am brimming with gratitude! I just wanted to thank you all so very much for your encouragement these last few weeks, when this space transformed from a sleepy blog to one driven by challenges and competition. It is because of your votes that I progressed as far as I did! I am proud of it, and grateful to you, and especially grateful to my family for dealing with the madness. My husband was as much a part of this as I was — he was my best cheerleader and critic. I have the prize in him and my children. My heart just melted when my little guy said to me, “I will pretend that you won.” Aw, buddy, I already have.
Turkey Orzo Soup
But there’s still work to be done. I’m looking forward to posting and sharing what I love in the way I know best, and I’m looking forward to supporting the remaining Project Food Blog contestants. And when the Thanksgiving turkey is carved next week, the work won’t end there. While we clean up the dishes and the messy kitchen, a rich turkey stock will be bubbling on the stove, some of which will be used for steamy bowlfuls of a comforting Turkey Orzo Soup. The party may be over, but there is still deliciousness ahead.
More Leftover Turkey Recipes
Looking for more ways to use up leftover turkey? Try these recipes!
Turkey Pumpkin Pot Pie
Day-After Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
15 Simple Leftover Chicken Recipes (also works well with turkey!)
Turkey Orzo Soup
Ingredients
For the Turkey Stock
- 1 roast turkey carcass remove any stuffing or anything from the cavity
- 3 medium carrots
- 4 stalks celery
- 1/2 onion peeled
- 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- water
For the Turkey Orzo Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for garnish
- 1 leek sliced lengthwise, then crosswise into 1/2 in pieces, washed
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 2 cups diced celery
- 6 cups turkey stock
- 1-2 cups shredded turkey dark meat from wings and drumsticks work well
- 1 ginger medallion
- 1 cup orzo
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- scallions finely sliced, for garnish
Instructions
Make the Turkey Stock:
- In a large stock pot, place the turkey carcass with the remaining ingredients and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 3 hours, the meat should be falling off the bones.
- Strain the stock and use immediately, or if storing for later, cool completely and store in air tight containers in the refrigerator or in the freezer. Be sure to debone the carcass and reserve the meat for soups, etc.
Make the Turkey Orzo Soup:
- In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the leeks to the hot oil, and cook until they start to wilt. Stir in the garlic, carrots and celery, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, to give the celery and carrots a chance to soften slightly.
- Increase the heat to high and add the turkey stock, shredded turkey, and ginger to the pot. Bring the soup to a boil, then stir in the orzo. Lower the heat, cover, and let the soup simmer until the orzo is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- When the orzo is fully cooked, season the soup to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in juice from half a lemon. Garnish with scallions and a drizzle of excellent quality olive oil prior to serving.
Notes
Turkey Orzo Soup FAQs/Tips
Turkey Stock
- Looking to save time? Try my recipe for Pressure Cooker Soup Stock and make homemade turkey stock in a fraction of the time!
- Can I use store-bought turkey or chicken stock? Yes, absolutely!
How to Clean Leeks
- Leeks may stubbornly hold on to grit and dirt, but it’s simple to clean. Clean the leeks by placing chopped leeks in a large bowl of cold water. Swirl the leeks and let it sit for 5 minutes to let the dirt settle to the bottom. Use your hands or slotted spoon to transfer leeks to a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
That looks wonderful. It is perfect for a winter night.
you have so much to be proud of – your writing, photography, and recipes are always impressive and inspiring. i was sad to not see you advance, but i was a reader before, and i’ll continue to read your blog and be influenced by your work. best wishes for the future!
You are already a winner! I like your the reason you participated in the competition and stay focus on it till the end of your run. I enjoy reading your posts and thanks for this recipe so now I have a new recipe to try out after Christmas with leftovers.
Oh this is for sure a real relaxation after the tiresome thanksgiving feast
Definitely! It’s just what the tummy needs after a day of Thanksgiving gluttony!