Friday Night Bites Turkey Orzo Soup

By Justin “MrJayCam” Campbell | Equalized Outdoors

This Turkey Orzo Soup came together shortly after Thanksgiving, using leftover turkey and simple ingredients to make a warm, filling meal without much effort. It’s a practical recipe built around recovery—using what you already have and letting time do most of the work.

Ingredients

• Leftover turkey carcass (for stock)

• Pulled or shredded turkey or chicken

• Carrots

• Onion

• Celery

• Butter

• Minced garlic

• Smoked turkey meat (optional)

• Orzo pasta

• Lemon juice

• Herbs of choice

• Bay leaf

• Salt

• Black pepper

• Garlic powder

• Crushed red pepper (optional)

Store-bought chicken stock can be used in place of homemade turkey stock.

Make the Stock

If you have the time, start by making a simple turkey stock using the leftover carcass. Add carrots, onion, celery, and seasoning, then let it simmer. This can be done ahead of time.

If time is limited, store-bought chicken stock works just fine.

Start the Soup Base

While the stock is working, begin the soup in the same pot it will finish in.

Melt butter and cook down chopped onion and celery until softened.

Add the Vegetables

Chop the carrots and add them to the pot with the onion and celery. Let them cook down together.

Once the carrots start to soften, add minced garlic and smoked turkey meat if you’re using it. If you’re making this with chicken instead, you can skip the smoked turkey.

Combine and Simmer

Pour the homemade turkey stock into the pot, or add your store-bought stock. Stir everything together.

Bring the soup up to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add the orzo pasta.

Season

Right after adding the orzo, add lemon juice and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Stir well.

Crushed red pepper can be added at this stage if you want some heat.

Add your herbs and a bay leaf. Continue stirring and monitor the liquid level. Orzo absorbs moisture, so add more stock as needed.

Finish the Soup

Add the pulled or shredded turkey or chicken. Cover the pot and let the orzo continue to cook until tender and everything is heated through.

Once finished, give the soup a final stir.

Serve

Pour into a bowl and serve hot with a cracker of your choice.

Friday Night Bites Turkey Orzo Soup Final Thoughts

This isn’t a flashy recipe. It’s simple, filling, and built around making use of leftovers while slowing things down after a long stretch. It’s the kind of meal that does what it’s supposed to do—warm you up and carry you into the next day.

Watch it here: