Description
Comforting turkey and rice soup warms winter kitchens with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Tender meat, fragrant herbs, and hearty grains create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded
- 4 cups turkey broth (or chicken broth)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Grains, Seasonings, and Extras:
- 3/4 cup uncooked white or brown rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 lemon, juiced (optional)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high temperature, gently sautéing chopped aromatics until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Introduce dried herbs and spices, allowing them to bloom and release their essential oils by stirring continuously for 60 seconds.
- Stream chicken or turkey broth into the vegetable mixture, incorporating uncooked rice and a single bay leaf, then elevate heat to generate a robust boil.
- Reduce flame to low, securely cover the pot, and allow the mixture to gently simmer until rice reaches a tender consistency, roughly 18-25 minutes depending on rice variety.
- Fold shredded poultry into the simmering liquid, letting it warm through completely for an additional 4-5 minutes while maintaining a consistent temperature.
- Extract and discard the bay leaf, then brighten the soup’s profile with a splash of citrus juice, carefully adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance overall flavor complexity.
- Finish the dish by scattering freshly chopped herbaceous greens across the surface, serving immediately while piping hot for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Use leftover roasted turkey or rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy soup preparation.
- Opt for short-grain rice like Arborio for a creamier texture, or quinoa for a gluten-free alternative.
- Enhance flavor by adding a splash of white wine during the vegetable sautéing stage for depth.
- Freeze soup in portion-sized containers for convenient meal prep, keeping it fresh for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg