Why You’ll Love this Hearty Turkey Tortilla Soup
Why does this turkey tortilla soup deserve a permanent spot in your weekly meal rotation? I’m telling you, this recipe transforms leftover turkey into something magical. It’s ridiculously easy, takes thirty minutes, and tastes like you’ve been simmering it all day. Plus, it’s basically a hug in a bowl when winter hits.
What Ingredients are in Hearty Turkey Tortilla Soup?
This turkey tortilla soup packs serious flavor with ingredients you probably already have lurking in your pantry. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity – no fancy, hard-to-find ingredients that require a trip to three different stores. Just honest, wholesome ingredients that come together to create something absolutely delicious.
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 cup salsa verde
- 1 (48 ounce) carton reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 carrot, sliced thinly
- 3 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 celery rib, sliced
- 1/2 bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked turkey, cubed
- 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Now, let’s talk about making this work for your life. The salsa verde is doing most of the heavy lifting here flavor-wise, so don’t cheap out on it – grab a jar you’d actually want to eat with chips. If you’re one of those people who thinks cumin is too exotic, trust me on this one.
Those white kidney beans can absolutely be swapped for regular kidney beans or even black beans if that’s what’s sitting in your cabinet. And about that turkey – rotisserie chicken works just as well if you’re not swimming in Thanksgiving leftovers.
How to Make this Hearty Turkey Tortilla Soup
Making this soup is about as straightforward as comfort food gets, and honestly, that’s exactly what we need on a busy weeknight. Start by heating your 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pot – I’m talking the kind of pot that could double as a small bathtub because this recipe makes a serious amount of soup. Once that oil is shimmering, toss in your 1 celery rib (sliced), 1/2 onion (sliced), 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and 1/2 bell pepper (sliced). Sauté these vegetables until they’re al dente, which basically means they still have a little bite to them but aren’t raw anymore. Don’t overthink this part – we’re talking maybe 5-7 minutes of stirring occasionally while they soften up.
Here’s where things get interesting and your kitchen starts smelling like a restaurant. Add your 3 teaspoons of cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and that 1 cup of salsa verde all at once. Mix everything together while it heats up, letting those spices bloom and get friendly with each other. This is the moment where you’ll understand why I told you not to skimp on the salsa verde – it’s doing serious work here.
Next, add your 2 cups of cubed cooked turkey and that 15 1/2 ounce can of white kidney beans (rinsed and drained), stirring until everything’s heated through. Don’t forget about that 1 carrot, sliced thinly – it can go in with the turkey and beans. Pour in your 48 ounce carton of reduced sodium chicken broth, bring the whole thing to a boil, then let it simmer until the flavors meld together and the carrots are tender. The beauty of this soup is that it’s basically impossible to mess up, and if you want to get fancy with toppings like cilantro, sour cream, lime juice, and tortilla strips, your future self will thank you. If you’re looking to add some smoky char to your tortilla strips, try making them on a cast iron grill pan for that perfect sear and sizzle.
Hearty Turkey Tortilla Soup Substitutions and Variations
Look, I get it – sometimes you open your fridge and realize you’re missing half the ingredients, or maybe you’re staring at a pantry full of random stuff wondering how to make it work with this recipe.
Swap turkey for chicken, beef, or pork. Can’t find salsa verde? Regular salsa works perfectly fine.
What to Serve with Hearty Turkey Tortilla Soup
A steaming bowl of turkey tortilla soup practically begs for the perfect sidekick, and honestly, the options are endless. I love pairing it with warm cornbread that soaks up every last drop, or crispy quesadillas for extra indulgence.
Fresh avocado slices, crusty bread rolls, or even a simple green salad work beautifully too.
Final Thoughts
Why does this turkey tortilla soup recipe feel like such a keeper? It’s comfort food that doesn’t require fancy ingredients or complicated techniques.
I love how the salsa verde adds instant flavor depth, while the beans make it hearty enough for dinner. Plus, those garnish options let everyone customize their bowl perfectly.
