Elevate your tortilla soup with this Turkey Tortilla Soup! Made with leftover turkey, this soup is hearty, rich, and loaded with incredible flavor.
This soup is packed with flavor, thanks to the use of leftover turkey. Whether you’re using leftover roasted, grilled, or smoked turkey, it takes this soup to a whole new level! Next time you have extra turkey on hand, this recipe is the perfect way to use it up.
As with any great soup, the flavors develop in layers. It’s quick to prepare, and you’ll end up with a delicious, comforting bowl that rivals any restaurant version.
Ingredients
- Cooking oil – I prefer avocado oil, but use what you like.
- Sweet onions – Regular white or yellow onions work, too.
- Jalapeno – Remove seeds if you prefer less heat.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves, minced.
- Chicken broth – Or substitute with homemade turkey broth or stock.
- Diced tomatoes – Use a 28-ounce can.
- Fresh tomatoes – Roma tomatoes are a good choice.
- Green bell pepper – Seeded and diced.
- Black beans – 1 can (14.5/15 ounce), rinsed and drained.
- Leftover turkey – Use cooked, shredded or diced turkey.
- Frozen corn niblets – Fresh corn kernels can be used if you have them.
- Lime juice – Freshly squeezed.
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Ground chipotle powder – Or use ground cayenne pepper.
- Salt and pepper
To Garnish Your Turkey Tortilla Soup:
- Cilantro – Fresh, chopped.
- Avocado – Diced just before serving.
- Shredded cheese – Cheddar or Monterey Jack.
- Sour cream
- Crispy tortilla strips – Make your own or buy pre-made from the store.
- Pico de gallo – Add a spoonful on top.
How to Make The Best Turkey Tortilla Soup
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat until hot.
- Add the onions and jalapeno and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the onions are soft.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in the broth, diced tomatoes, and fresh tomatoes, and bring to a low simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
- Add the bell pepper, black beans, turkey, corn, and spices. Simmer uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the lime juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes.
Step-By-Step Process
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Prep your ingredients before you start cooking. Have all your veggies diced and ready to go.
- Adjust the chipotle pepper to your liking. Add a little at a time, as it can be quite spicy.
- No turkey? You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken if you prefer.
- Even better the next day! The flavors develop more as the soup sits, making it perfect for meal prep.
Recommended
Make It A Meal
This Turkey Tortilla Soup is satisfying on its own, but it also pairs well with quesadillas, sliders, or a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. You can also add it to your Tex-Mex spread with dishes like queso, corn salad, or chili.
Storage
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes well; just let it cool completely before storing.
Turkey Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 jalapeno seeded and diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth or use homemade turkey broth or stock.
- 28 ounce canned tomatoes diced tomatoes
- 2 cups Roma tomatoes diced; about 4 tomatoes
- 1 cup green bell pepper diced
- 14 ounce canned black beans rinsed
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels
- 3 cups cooked turkey smoked, rotisserie, or grilled turkey
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder or to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
Optional garnishes:
- cilantro chopped
- sour cream
- shredded cheese
- lime wedges
- crispy tortilla strips
- avocado diced
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat until hot.
- Add the onions and jalapeno and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the onions are soft.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in the broth, diced tomatoes, and fresh tomatoes and bring to a low simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
- Add the bell pepper, black beans, turkey, corn, and spices. Simmer uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the lime juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Prep your ingredients before you start cooking. Have all your veggies diced and ready to go.
- Adjust the chipotle pepper to your liking. Add a little at a time, as it can be quite spicy.
- No turkey? You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken if you prefer.
- Even better the next day! The flavors develop more as the soup sits, making it perfect for meal prep.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.