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Turkey Noodle Soup

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 4, 2011

Time

5½ hours

Yield

Serves 8 to 10 (Makes about 3 quarts)

Turkey Noodle Soup

Ingredients

Basic Turkey Stock

1 turkey carcass from 12- to 14-pound turkey, cut into 4 or 5 rough pieces to fit into pot1 large onion, peeled and halved1 large carrot, peeled and chopped coarse3 medium garlic cloves, unpeeled and smashed1 large rib celery, about 4 ounces, chopped coarse2 cups dry white wine 1 bay leaf 5 sprigs fresh parsley leaves 3 sprigs fresh thyme

For Soup

1 medium onion, diced medium2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ¼-inch-thick rounds1 large rib celery, sliced ¼ inch thick1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves 1 teaspoon table salt 2 - 3 cups pasta shells (medium), or other medium-sized pasta shape2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

    for the stock

  1. Bring turkey carcass, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, wine, bay leaf, and 4 1/2 quarts water to boil in 12-quart stockpot over medium-high heat, skimming fat or foam that rises to surface. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 2 hours, continuing to skim surface as necessary. Add parsley and thyme; continue to simmer until stock is rich and flavorful, about 2 hours longer, continuing to skim surface as necessary.
  2. Strain stock through large-mesh strainer into large bowl or container; remove meat from strained solids, shred into bite-sized pieces, and set aside; discard solids in strainer. Cool stock slightly, about 20 minutes; spoon fat from surface. Use stock immediately or cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate up to 2 days.
  3. for the soup

  4. Bring turkey stock to simmer in large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt; cover and simmer until vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add pasta and reserved shredded turkey meat from stock; simmer until pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in parsley, adjust seasonings with salt and pepper; serve.
Turkey Noodle Soup
Styling by Marie Piraino.

Turkey Noodle Soup

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

5½ hours

Yield

Serves 8 to 10 (Makes about 3 quarts)

Ingredients

Basic Turkey Stock

1 turkey carcass from 12- to 14-pound turkey, cut into 4 or 5 rough pieces to fit into pot
1 large onion, peeled and halved
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped coarse
3 medium garlic cloves, unpeeled and smashed
1 large rib celery, about 4 ounces, chopped coarse
2 cups dry white wine
1 bay leaf
5 sprigs fresh parsley leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme

For Soup

1 medium onion, diced medium
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ¼-inch-thick rounds
1 large rib celery, sliced ¼ inch thick
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon table salt
2 - 3 cups pasta shells (medium), or other medium-sized pasta shape
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Ingredients

Basic Turkey Stock

1 turkey carcass from 12- to 14-pound turkey, cut into 4 or 5 rough pieces to fit into pot
1 large onion, peeled and halved
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped coarse
3 medium garlic cloves, unpeeled and smashed
1 large rib celery, about 4 ounces, chopped coarse
2 cups dry white wine
1 bay leaf
5 sprigs fresh parsley leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme

For Soup

1 medium onion, diced medium
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ¼-inch-thick rounds
1 large rib celery, sliced ¼ inch thick
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon table salt
2 - 3 cups pasta shells (medium), or other medium-sized pasta shape
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Ingredients

Basic Turkey Stock

1 turkey carcass from 12- to 14-pound turkey, cut into 4 or 5 rough pieces to fit into pot
1 large onion, peeled and halved
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped coarse
3 medium garlic cloves, unpeeled and smashed
1 large rib celery, about 4 ounces, chopped coarse
2 cups dry white wine
1 bay leaf
5 sprigs fresh parsley leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme

For Soup

1 medium onion, diced medium
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ¼-inch-thick rounds
1 large rib celery, sliced ¼ inch thick
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon table salt
2 - 3 cups pasta shells (medium), or other medium-sized pasta shape
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Why This Recipe Works

In search of a great soup recipe using the leftover Thanksgiving bird, we found that one unusual ingredient, white wine, deepened the turkey flavor without an all-day simmer. In just four hours, our stock was fully flavored, ready for additions like noodles, potatoes, or rice, and of course, turkey.

Instructions

    for the stock

  1. Bring turkey carcass, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, wine, bay leaf, and 4 1/2 quarts water to boil in 12-quart stockpot over medium-high heat, skimming fat or foam that rises to surface. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 2 hours, continuing to skim surface as necessary. Add parsley and thyme; continue to simmer until stock is rich and flavorful, about 2 hours longer, continuing to skim surface as necessary.
  2. Strain stock through large-mesh strainer into large bowl or container; remove meat from strained solids, shred into bite-sized pieces, and set aside; discard solids in strainer. Cool stock slightly, about 20 minutes; spoon fat from surface. Use stock immediately or cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate up to 2 days.
  3. for the soup

  4. Bring turkey stock to simmer in large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt; cover and simmer until vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add pasta and reserved shredded turkey meat from stock; simmer until pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in parsley, adjust seasonings with salt and pepper; serve.

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