This soup is a zesty stew-like soup that is full of flavor. It is hearty and a great way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays. It’s delicious and is a welcome to have a warm bowl of flavorful soup in the cold winter months.
I have been making this soup since I was a teenager, about 30 years now, and it is a family favorite! Anytime I have leftover chicken or turkey, I make this zesty turkey soup or stew! It’s always requested!
Let’s get started!
Chop up leftover turkey or chicken. I never measure the amount — I just add until it looks like enough. Toss chopped bacon into the soup pot. Chop onion, celery, carrot and green pepper. Set aside the veggies.
Cook the bacon. We like it crispy. Once the bacon is cooked, remove from the pot. Leave some bacon grease in the pot.
Toss in onion and celery.
Add a splash of water. This bacon was not very greasy so I’m adding water so the onion does not burn.
Once the onion is tender, add carrot.
Add leftover turkey. Chicken works well too! Add green pepper.
Add water or chicken broth.
Add V8. I usually add enough V8 to cover the turkey and veggies. It really depends whether you like more juice in the soup or if you prefer it more hearty.
Simmer 20 minutes.
Yum! Such a good, flavorful and hearty soup. You can add bacon to the pot of soup, but we prefer to add it to our bowls when we eat.
So delicious!
Zesty Turkey Soup
1 pkg bacon, diced
1 onion, diced
1 to 2 celery stalks, diced
1 to 2 carrots, chopped
Leftover cooked turkey, about 1 to 2 cups
1/2 green pepper, diced
2 to 3 cups chicken or turkey stock or broth
3 to 4 cups V8 tomato juice
Cook bacon in pot. Once done, remove bacon but leave some grease. Cook onion and celery in the grease. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add carrot and sauté a few minutes. Add cooked turkey and green pepper. cook for 5 minutes. Add broth and V8. Stir well. Cook 20 minutes. When serving, add bacon to soup bowl. You can also serve with crackers and shredded cheese.
