Hearty Keto Turkey Soup - Easy & Low Carb Recipes

After major holidays many people are looking for ways to use up leftovers besides just “reheat and eat.” You can take that leftover Thanksgiving turkey and make it into a delicious, hearty keto soup.

I love to throw the entire turkey carcass into the pot to boil out all of the flavor. Leftover turkey soup is one of my family favorites and will soon become one requested by your family!

Is Turkey Good for a Keto Diet?

Turkey is a nutritious and delicious meat that has zero carbohydrates and is keto.

Some fun turkey recipes for enjoying leftovers include soup, turkey, mushrooms & gravy over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, or sandwiches on low-carb bread. You can also make a delicious turkey wrap on a low-carb tortilla with some leftover turkey, cheese, spinach leaves, cut bell peppers, and other veggies.

Creamy Keto Turkey Soup Recipe

• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil

• 1 small onion diced

• ⅔ cup carrots chopped

• 2 celery stalks chopped

• 2 cups cauliflower florets diced

• 2 cloves garlic minced

• 1 cup mushrooms sliced

• ½ tablespoon fresh thyme minced

• 1 tablespoon parsley minced

• ½ tsp - 1 tsp sea salt to taste

• ⅓ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• ¼ cup dry white wine

• 3 cups turkey stock (or chicken broth)

• 1-2 cups cooked turkey shredded

• 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

• Heat the butter or olive oil in a soup pot or Dutch oven on medium-high heat.

• Add garlic, onion, carrot, celery, and cauliflower, and saute until softened and golden brown.

• Add mushrooms and seasonings. Cook until the mushrooms are mostly cooked.

• Add the turkey broth or stock and wine and simmer for about 10 minutes. (Note: you can make your own turkey stock by simmering the turkey carcass.)

• Add the cooked turkey (diced or shredded), stir in the heavy cream, and simmer until it is warmed through.

Serve and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

An 8-ounce serving has about 250 calories and 4 net carbs.

Easy Turkey Carcass Soup Recipe

This low-carb soup recipe is a tomato-based soup that can be made with leftover turkey meat. Perhaps not quite keto, it is a comfort food your family will enjoy.

Ingredients

• Turkey carcass (plus extra leftover diced-up turkey)

• 2 cups mixed veggies (any combination you like)

• 2 cans diced tomatoes

• 1 clove garlic diced

• 1 small onion

• 1 cup chopped celery

• 1 cup carrots

• 1 teaspoon thyme

• 1 teaspoon rosemary

• 1 teaspoon marjoram

• 1 teaspoon pepper

• 1 bay leaf

• salt to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the turkey carcass for one hour, in a large soup pot on medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrots.

2. Pull out the carcass and any loose bones, remove the meat, and discard the turkey bones. Drain the pot of much of the turkey broth (leave about 2 cups).

3. Add the cans of diced tomatoes (with juice), mixed veggies, and seasonings.

4. Simmer on a low heat.

Note: If you have leftover turkey and want a very easy dinner with very little prep time or work, consider cutting up some of the leftover turkey and all of the veggies for the above recipe the night before.

In the morning, put the 2 cups of turkey broth into a slow cooker and add all of the ingredients except for the cooked turkey. About thirty minutes to one hour before dinner time, add the turkey. Add seasonings to taste and serve.

Nutritional Information

An 8-ounce serving has about 140 calories and 4 net carbs.

How Do I Make Turkey Soup Dairy-Free?

The creamy turkey recipe can be made dairy-free by using ghee or olive oil in place of the butter and leaving out the heavy whipping cream.

You can use some almond milk and dairy-free cheese to get that milky, creamy texture in your soup. The second recipe is dairy-free already.

How to Thicken Soup Without Carbs?

The most popular way to thicken soup without adding carbohydrates is Xanthan Gum. If you are making a cream, cheese soup, you can add some cream cheese to thicken things up.

You can also used riced cauliflower as it will absorb some liquid without adding a lot of carbs.

10 Best Veggies to Add to a Keto Soup

When preparing keto soup, choosing vegetables that are low in carbohydrates is crucial. Here are some of the best options for adding to a keto-friendly soup:

1. Cauliflower: A versatile low-carb vegetable that can mimic potatoes' texture and flavor in soups.

2. Zucchini: It's low in carbs and can be used to make noodles (zoodles) or diced into soups.

3. Spinach: This leafy green is low in carbs and rich in vitamins. It wilts nicely into soups without adding bulk or too many carbs.

4. Mushrooms: They provide a savory, umami flavor and have minimal carbs.

5. Broccoli: A nutrient-dense vegetable that can be pureed into a creamy soup or added in florets for texture.

6. Asparagus: Adds a unique flavor and is low in carbs, perfect for creamy or broth-based soups.

7. Green Beans: While slightly higher in carbs than other options, they can still fit into a keto diet in moderation.

8. Bell Peppers: Although they contain some carbs, they're rich in flavor and vitamins, and can add a nice pop of color to your soup.

9. Cabbage: It's low in carbs and can add bulk to your soup, making it more filling.

10. Kale: A hearty green that's low in carbs and high in nutrients. It holds up well in soups.