Looking for a Ground Turkey Soup recipe that’s easy, healthy, and packed with flavor? Look no further!
Brimming with savory ground turkey, hearty potatoes and vegetables, this soup is the perfect balance of healthy and filling.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey Soup Recipe
- Gather Your Ingredients for The Yummiest Soup with Ground Turkey
- Now Grab these Tools
- How to make Ground Turkey Soup: Step-by-Step Directions
- Make Ahead and Storage Tips
- How to Serve It
- Choose the Perfect Side Dishes
- Expert Tips & Variations
- FAQs
- Other Healthy Soup Recipes You Won’t Want To Miss
- Ground Turkey Soup Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey Soup Recipe
- It’s hearty and filling: perfect for chilly nights when you need something to warm you up from the inside out.
- It’s loaded with healthy veggies: you’ll feel good about getting those daily servings in.
- It’s got a kick: red pepper flakes add just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting.
- It’s easy to make: with only 10 minutes of prep time, you’ll have a delicious dinner on the table in no time.
- It’s versatile: swap in sweet potato, carrot or zucchini instead of butternut squash for a fun twist on the recipe.
- It’s creamy: a bit of cream or milk gives the soup a velvety texture that will have you going back for seconds (and maybe even thirds).
A splash of cream at the end gives it chowder vibes, but I love it just as well without, especially in the warmer months. (If you love vegetable-packed soups, you must also try this lovely potato zucchini soup, my favorite Tortellini Soup in Crockpot, this flavor-packed Vegetable Orzo Soup, and my best beef & vegetable soup).
Gather Your Ingredients for The Yummiest Soup with Ground Turkey
- Ground Turkey: A lean, protein-packed alternative to ground beef that adds great flavor and texture to the soup.
- Onion and Celery: These aromatic vegetables form the base of the soup and provide a savory, slightly sweet flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Seasonings that bring out the flavors of the other ingredients and add depth to the soup.
- Minced Garlic: A fragrant 1-2 cloves garlic add complexity and depth to the soup.
- Red Pepper Flakes: A spicy kick that adds some heat to the soup.
- Butternut Squash and Potato: These hearty vegetables provide a satisfying texture and balance out the flavors of the soup. Feel free to use another vegetable in place of the squash (like zucchini, spinach, corn and/or green beans).
- Chicken Broth: A savory and flavorful liquid that serves as the base for the soup.
- Cream: Adds a rich and creamy texture to the soup.
- Parsley: A fresh and bright herb that adds a pop of color and flavor to the finished dish.
Now Grab these Tools
Now that we’ve got our ingredients, let’s make sure we’ve got everything we need to bring this delicious Ground Turkey Vegetable Soup to life. Don’t worry, we won’t need any fancy equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Large pot or Dutch oven: Somethign large with a lid (this’ll be our trusty soup-making vessel.)
- Wooden spoon or spatula (To break up the turkey and stir in the veggies.)
- Knife (For all that veggie-chopping.)
- Cutting board (To protect your countertops from knife scratches.)
- Measuring spoons (We’ll need a few precise measurements, so keep these handy.)
With these tools in your arsenal, you’ll be well on your way to cooking up a storm.
How to make Ground Turkey Soup: Step-by-Step Directions
These simple steps will guide you through the process of making a delicious Ground Turkey Soup that will warm you up and satisfy your taste buds.
- Heat the oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add the onions, celery, and salt, and cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Brown the turkey: Add the ground turkey plus salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Break up the turkey with a wooden spoon or spatula and cook until browned and no longer pink.
- Add the vegetables and broth: Add the chopped butternut squash and potatoes. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the vegetables are tender and cooked through.
- Add the cream and parsley: Add the cream to the pot and cook until the soup is heated through. Add parsley flakes and adjust seasoning with additional salt, as needed.
- Serve hot: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Enjoy!
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or simply want to enjoy leftovers later on, this Ground Turkey Soup is the perfect make-ahead meal. Here are some tips to help you store and reheat it like a pro:
- Storage is a breeze: Simply transfer the soup to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or, if you’re planning to freeze it, divide the soup into individual portions and store them in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months.
- Reheat like a pro: When it’s time to enjoy your soup, gently reheat it on the stove over medium-low heat until it’s heated through, or zap it in the microwave.
How to Serve It
- Ladle this hearty, comforting soup into deep bowls.
- Sprinkle some extra minced parsley on top to brighten it up and add some color.
- Pair it with some crusty bread, perfect for dipping, or serve with a side of crackers.
- Add some heat to it with a few extra red pepper flakes for those who love a little extra kick. I also love to serve this soup with a little crumbled bacon.
- Enjoy this delicious and satisfying soup for lunch or dinner, or even as leftovers the next day.
Choose the Perfect Side Dishes
Pair your Ground Turkey Soup with these yummy side dishes to make it a meal.
- Buttermilk drop biscuits: These biscuits are fluffy, buttery, and perfect for sopping up every last drop of soup. Whip up a batch in no time and watch them disappear just as quickly.
- Oatmeal brown bread: Hearty and wholesome, this bread is perfect for dipping into the soup or slathering with butter. With a slightly sweet flavor and a touch of cinnamon, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Easy Dutch oven bread: Want to impress your guests? Make this crusty, artisan-style bread from scratch. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can have warm, fresh bread on the table in no time.
- Garlic Fingers: Warm and cheesy homemade garlic fingers are the perfect complement to any soup.
- Mixed Greens Salad: A simple mixed greens salad with a tangy lemon yogurt dressing adds a fresh, crisp element to the warm, comforting soup.
- Cornbread: The sweet, savory, and buttery flavor of this skillet cornbread with honey butter glaze pairs beautifully with the rich, hearty soup. Try making mini muffins for a fun twist!
There you have it! Now you have some tasty side dishes that will make your Ground Turkey Soup even more delicious and satisfying. Enjoy!
Expert Tips & Variations
- Add more flavor to the soup: When checking the seasoning at the end, if it is tasting bland/underseasoned, try a little splash of soy sauce instead of plain salt. This adds a richer color and more umami flavor.
- Use unsalted broth: If using unsalted broth, add up to an additional 2 ½ tsp salt (kosher salt – less if using sea salt or table salt)
- Omit the cream: You can make a brothy soup by simply leaving out the cream or you may substitute milk or coconut milk for the cream to make a lighter version. A different dairy (or non-dairy) will make thinner, though. To thicken it up, whisk 2 tbsp of cornstarch with the milk before adding to the soup. Bring it to a boil to thicken properly.
- Vegetable Turkey Soup with other Veggies: Feel free to use another vegetable in place of the squash (like zucchini, spinach, green beans or canned diced tomatoes).
- Ground Turkey Rice Soup: Swap the potatoes for a 1/2 cup of long-grain white rice, wild rice or brown rice.
- Make it a turkey bean or lentil soup: Add a can of white beans, lentils, or chickpeas to the soup for additional fiber and protein.
FAQs
If your turkey soup tastes bland, it could be due to underseasoning (i.e. not enough salt), not enough fat, too much unsalted liquid (like no-salt broth or water) and/or a need for stronger or umami flavors. Try adding a splash of soy sauce instead of more salt, plus more pepper and a pinch of chilli flakes to brighten the taste. Turkey has a naturally sweeter flavor and is leaner than other proteins. It therefore needs to be seasoned enthusiastically and have enough fat in the recipe to taste really savory and delicious.
Yes, turkey soup can be just as good as chicken soup for a cold as both contain nutrients and vitamins that can help boost the immune system and aid in fighting off illness. Additionally, the warm broth and steam from the soup can help soothe sore throats and clear congested sinuses.
Turkey soup can typically last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. It can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. It’s important to make sure the soup is properly cooled before refrigerating or freezing to ensure it stays fresh for longer.
Other Healthy Soup Recipes You Won’t Want To Miss
If you enjoyed this ground turkey soup recipe, I encourage you to try some of my other healthy soup recipes. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Instant Pot Beef & Wheat Berry Soup: Hearty, flavorful, and ready in minutes.
- Beef Vegetable Soup: Classic comfort food, made healthy and delicious.
- Lentil Soup with Ham: Protein-packed and fiber-rich, this soup will keep you full all day.
- Classic Seafood Cioppino: A seafood stew that’s sure to please.
Also do check out 37+ Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes.
Ground Turkey Soup
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp oil
- 2 cups chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 ¾ tsp salt plus more as needed (see notes)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 lb ground turkey
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 cups regular chicken broth or turkey broth
- 1 1/2 cups cubed butternut squash (Frozen squash works or you can swap in sweet potato, carrot or zucchini)
- 1 large russet potato peeled and chopped
- 1 cup cream
- 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley or 2 tsp dried parsley
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, celery, and 1 tsp salt, and cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlicand cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground turkey plus another ¾ tsp salt black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Break up the turkey with a wooden spoon or spatula, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the chopped butternut squash and potatoes. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the vegetables are tender and cooked through, about 20 minutes.
- Add the cream to the pot, and cook for another 2 minutes until the soup is heated through.
- Add parsley flakes. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, as needed (see note below). Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Enjoy!
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Your ground turkey soup is the ultimate comfort food. Have you ever tried adding different grains like quinoa or barley into this soup to give it an extra boost of nutrition? I’d love to hear your thoughts on that.
Hi Susanne, thank you so much! I often use wild or brown rice instead of potatoes. Barley is a favourite in other soups, too, and I’m sure it would be great here. Any of these whole grains take longer to cook than potatoes, so keep that in mind. Quinoa might get lost a bit in the texture of the soup. It wouldn’t be my first choice.
Our favorite ground turkey soup recipe!
I have made this 10 times and it is so, so good! We love it with fresh bread.