Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe (2024)

Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup is the perfect way to use your leftover turkey after Thanksgiving.

Filled with carrots and celery, this soup is ready in under an hour, and incredibly creamy.

Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe (1)

Leftover Turkey Soup is something I look forward to every Friday after Thanksgiving.

The rich broth that is bubbling with the carcass, the hearty carrots, celery, and onions… The creamy rice.

It’s all just so so good.

Growing up, my mom used a recipe called “Williamsburg Turkey Soup.” I’ve adapted that recipe and changed the preparation method.

Your soup will taste AMAZING with Grandma’s Roasted Turkey recipe!

Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe (2)

Quick Overview of this recipe:

  1. You begin by sauteing a load of diced carrots, onions, and celery—what the french call a mirepoix—and saute in a copious amount of butter until incredibly soft and tender.
  2. This is how the original recipe varies. In the original recipe you make the roux first, then add your vegetables. I prefer tender veggies BEFORE making a roux. But, you do you!
  3. After your veggies soft and tender, sprinkle in some flour and cook it for a couple of minutes.
  4. Add in turkey stock (chicken stock works too!) and stir so all the lumps disappear.
  5. Add in shredded turkey meat, rice, and some seasonings. I like to use poultry seasoning (keeping with the Thanksgiving theme!) Add your rice at this point too!
  6. Let this simmer for 20 minutes or so and serve to your hungry crowd.
Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe (3)

At the very end, just before serving, you pour in an entire can of evaporated milk. You could also use heavy cream if you’ve got it… We’ve always used a can of evaporated milk!

This is an impossibly delicious and comforting soup recipe idea.

Be sure to make plenty and freeze the leftovers for a mid-winter pick me up!

Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe (4)

How to Make Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup

1In a large Dutch oven, sauté celery, carrots, and onions until soft.2Turn the heat down to low and cook for 15 minutes. Stirring occasionally.3Add AP flour to your veggies and stir around. Cook for a couple of minutes.4Add in a couple cups of turkey stock, and stir to remove any flour lumps.5Pour 12 cups (3 quarts!) of stock into the pot and stir around.6Add in 2 cups of diced turkey and 1 cup of basmati rice. Stir, put the lid on and simmer!7After 20 minutes, give it a taste.8Just before serving, pour in a full can of EVAPORATED milk. Stir and serve!Check out my other content @sweetpealifestyle on Jumprope.

A few tips:

  • Add in an extra teaspoon of Poultry Seasoning to really amp up the Thanksgiving flavors.
  • Season with extra salt and pepper if you need to—if your soup doesn’t taste amazing, sprinkle in some kosher salt!
  • That’s the difference between a really *GOOD* soup and a not so good soup… SALT.
Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe (5)

Which rice is best for soup?

I prefer to use Basmati rice—but, any rice you have on hand will work! Brown, wild, sushi rice, even pre-cooked rice!

How do you make Turkey Stock?

  • After you’ve eaten your turkey and pulled the meat from the bones—add the turkey carcass to a BIG stockpot.
  • Add in a few carrots, celery, and a halved onion. ((I save all my ends from the celery and onions in a baggie and add those in too!)
  • Fill with water, and simmer for several hours.
  • I do this immediately after eating—and let it simmer while we play games and eat dessert. The longer you can let it simmer the better!

Can I use Chicken instead of Turkey?

Sure! Change everything about this recipe where it says Turkey, and use chicken!

What kitchen equipment do I need?

I’ve got an Amazon Storefront with all the Thanksgiving Prep Things you need! Check it out!

You’ll need:

  • Stockpot
  • Dutch Oven
  • Chefs knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon
Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe (6)

Can you freeze this soup?

Yep! You sure can!

I like to let it cool down to room temperature, and add to Ziploc Freezer bags, freeze flat.

I’ll add the soup to a quart and gallon-sized bags—that way if I need a family meal, I’ll pull the gallon size out, if I need a quick meal for me, I’ll use the quart-sized.

How can I make the frozen soup go further?

Once you thaw your soup, you can add in more sauteed veggies to bulk up the soup if you need it to go farther. You can also add an extra cup of rice + a box of chicken stock.

Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe (7)
Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe (8)
Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes soup more creamy? ›

Possibilities include cream, coconut milk, yogurt, or even pureed avocado. If you choose coconut milk, be aware that it will impart a sweet, coconut flavor, which might not be right for every soup. Yogurt will add tanginess.

Do you cook rice before adding to soup? ›

You can add rice already cooked, or uncooked, to soup, but it does affect the recipe. Uncooked rice soaks up liquid, so you'll need a lot more broth or water, and it may extend your soup's cooking time.

Does adding milk to soup make it creamy? ›

Yes, you can definitely add cream to your soup. Whether you use a few tablespoons or a few cups, cream gives soup a silky mouthfeel and rich flavor. You can definitely add milk or other dairy as well, though it will taste gradually less creamy as you go down in percent.

How do you add rice to soup without it getting mushy? ›

To avoid a mushy mess, here's how you should be adding rice to soup instead: Cook your rice separately from the rest of the soup and add the grains directly into each bowl as you serve. Despite whatever your recipe instructions say, it's best to assemble rice-based soups this way to avoid over-absorption.

Does adding heavy cream to soup make it thicker? ›

Heavy cream

Use heavy cream as a keto-friendly thickening option for your soups and broths. Heavy cream has more fat than regular whole milk, so you can add it to your soup recipes without worrying about it curdling.

How do I make my soup creamier? ›

Method 1: Whisk in a slurry of cornstarch or flour

To thicken soup using flour or cornstarch, measure out the flour or cornstarch in a separate bowl — start with 1 tablespoon per cup of soup. Add equal parts water or soup liquid to the flour or cornstarch and whisk until they're completely combined in a slurry.

Can you throw uncooked rice into soup? ›

Adding uncooked rice to a soup, stew, or casserole can stretch your meals farther. Add 1 cup uncooked rice and two cups of broth or water to your recipe before cooking. The rice will soak up the broth or water as it cooks on the stove top or in the oven.

How do you keep rice from turning to mush in soup? ›

Cook the rice separately and warm the grains gently in the microwave right before serving. Spoon the rice into the soup bowl and then ladle the prepared soup around it.

What is the best rice to use in soup? ›

Best rice for soup

White, brown, wild rice, black rice, sushi rice, basmati and jasmine rice are all great. Even risotto rice and paella rice work! For brown and wild rice, these take longer to cook than the simmer time for the soup. So they will need to be cooked separately before adding into the soup.

What happens when you add evaporated milk to soup? ›

Evaporated milk gives body to smoothies, thickens up and sweetens coffee, and adds nuance and richness to creamy soups and chowders, not to mention savory sauces and even oatmeal.

Will evaporated milk thicken soup? ›

Keep in mind that this evaporated milk will make your dish taste richer, but it won't actually thicken the soup. You can always use a bit of flour or cornstarch if you're missing that added texture. Otherwise, you'll find evaporated milk the best dairy addition for your classic slow cooker favorites.

When to put cream in soup? ›

If you started the soup with broth, stock or water, I would wait until the end to add the cream. You can warm the cream, or “temper” it, which is what I do. Take about half a cup of the hot broth and slowly add your cream to that, stirring constantly.

Do you have to rinse rice for soup? ›

As it turns out, rinsing your grains is a key step if you want to make the perfect pot of rice, and that's true whether you're preparing a creamy rice pudding or whipping up a savory chicken and rice soup.

When to put rice in soup? ›

If your soup is already fully cooked and simmering, add the cooked rice towards the end, about 5-10 minutes before serving. If you are making a thick and hearty soup, such as a creamy tomato soup or a stew, add the rice earlier during the cooking process so it can absorb the flavors.

Can you cook rice with soup instead of water? ›

It could not be easier- basically, you're making instant rice, but instead of water you use condensed cream of mushroom soup and chicken broth. That simple step is what transforms the rice into a creamy risotto-style dish.

What is the secret ingredient to thicken soup? ›

Soup Thickening Method: Cornstarch Slurry

About this method: One of the most common ways to thicken sauces and soups is with a starch-based slurry, and cornstarch is a popular choice. Cornstarch is flavorless, easy to mix up, and versatile, which makes it a go-to pantry ingredient.

What are the thickening agent for cream soups? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

How do you increase consistency of soup? ›

Add Rice

Simply throw a handful of any uncooked white rice you have into the broth as you cook the soup and let it simmer for at least half an hour. The rice will expand and release its natural starches into the broth, adding texture and body. If you want a slightly healthier option, go for brown rice.

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