A healthy and hearty turkey soup made with split peas, vegetables and seasoned with smoked paprika. A lovely soup for when the temperatures dip. This is a perfect recipe for using leftover turkey.


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I love soup
If you have been reading this blog for a while, you already know this. It’s soup season now but I actually eat soup year round. Of course, homemade is best but I also eat canned soup for convenience. I keep some in my locker at work, just in case.
I believe there is a soup for everybody, every time and every occasion.
There are Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter soups. The differences lie in both what is in season and what the temperature is. For Spring, I like to make vegetable soups that are broth-y and light. For Summer, noodle soups or soups made in a crockpot so as not to heat up my kitchen. For Autumn I like to make potato and pumpkin soups. In the Winter I like to make the Autumn soups plus bean and lentil soups or any hearty stew.
Recipes By Season
- SPRING
- Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Thai Green Curry Paste
- Tomato Bisque
- Roasted Vegetable Soup with Tahini & Za’atar
- Polish Beet Soup
- SUMMER
- Crockpot Curry Chicken & Dumpling Soup
- Kimchi Udon Noodle Soup
- French Mushroom Soup
- French Boeuf Bourguignon
- AUTUMN
- Orange Ginger Pumpkin Soup with Miso
- Potato Soup
- Thai Pumpkin Soup
- WINTER
- Red Beans & Rice
- Smoked Peruvian Bean Soup
- Mayocoba Bean Soup
- Danish Stew
How do I save leftover soup?
Saving soup is super easy. I like to save half of my soup in single serving freezer bags with the air removed from the bag. This way I can grab single serving soups to take to work which really saves me time in the morning as well as much healthier than eating in the cafe.
Because I eat so much soup, my freezer has a nice variety of single serving soup packets ready to go. This works so that I don’t get tired of eating the same thing everyday.
For the rest of the soup, I eat it as leftovers for the week.
Soup Recipe For Leftover Turkey
I made this soup to actually clean out my fridge, do you do this?
We have been learning to smoke food in our new Texas-style, off-set side smoker. We want to bring a smoked turkey to the family dinner but we wanted to practice first. As a result, two turkeys later, we have a lot of leftover turkey. Challenge accepted!
Today I share my solution for left over turkey by making a hearty soup with turkey and split peas. This soup is perfectly seasoned with fresh herbs and spices; and has plenty of umami with mushrooms and soy sauce. Vermouth is added for additional depth, just in case. If you don’t have vermouth, sherry or wine would be just fine. This soup is started with frying a mirepoix then adding the spices, broth and remaining ingredients. A lot of simmering and then you are done. It’s not a quick soup but it is definitely easy.
A great Winter soup with the addition of smoked paprika for heat and dried split peas for heartiness. A soup that will keep you warm and stick to your ribs.
Bon appetit!







If you are making your own broth, you will need to check out this post on How to Make Broth. It also gives you clues as to when homemade broth is a must or if you can get away with store bought broth.
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Turkey Soup with Split Peas and Smoked Paprika
A hearty turkey soup made with split peas, vegetables and seasoned with smoked paprika. A lovely soup for when the temperatures dip.
Ingredients
SOUP
- 3 Tbs cooking oil such as canola, corn, sunflower, vegetable
- 1 large onion diced, your choice (I used a mix of small onions from my garden)
- 1 1/2 cups celery, diced
- 8 oz mushrooms, diced, I used cremini
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbs smoked paprika
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried
- 6 cups vegetable stock
- 3 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup vermouth
- 1 Tbs soy sauce
- 1 lb dried split peas
- 1 lb of turkey, shredded or chopped
GARNISH
- sour cream, Mexican crema or creme fraische
- scallions, herbs or crispy jalapeños
Instructions
- Heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat until glistening.
- Add next 3 ingredients, stir occasionally, cook until vegetables are soft.
- Add garlic and cook 3 more minutes, stirring well.
- Add the next 4 spices and stir, cooking for 30 seconds to 'bloom' the spices.
- Add stock, bay leaves, vermouth, soy sauce & half of the split peas. Simmer for 40 minutes on low.
- Add the remaining split peas, cook for 40 more minutes.
- Add the turkey, simmer for 5 more minutes and serve with optional garnishes and a chunk of crusty bread.
Notes
- This recipe can be halved if you don't want to make a large pot of soup.
- You can parcel out the soup into freezer bags and take with you to work for a healthy alternative to cafeteria food.
- You can add more heat simply by adding more smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne.
- This recipe can easily be vegetarian by omitting the turkey, it will still be a lovely hearty soup.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1.5 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 209Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 580mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 16g
Hannah says
I love this soup! And it’s so hearty!!
Tina says
That’s one of my favorites. It’s hearty enough for dinner and a great use of lentils, in my opinion.
Maureen Bertonaschi says
Snow storm approaching and I don’t have any vermouth. What can I use as a substitute?
Tina says
Hey Maureen, yikes!! I feel for ya. We have a storm starting tomorrow. Anything with a flavorful bite like beer, wine, sherry, red wine vinegar etc. Good luck and hang in there. Stay warm and safe and cheers!
Lynette says
I cannot get enough of soup this time of year! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says
This soup looks and sounds delicious! What a great way to add comfort to a chilly Fall day
Nicoletta Sugarlovespices says
My husband is the soup maker in our family and our soups, mostly, are born to clean up the fridge. And they taste so good, like this one!
Traci @ The Kitchen Girl says
This sounds amazing! I think you hooked me with the paprika 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Deanna says
This looks super yummy!!!
Analida Braeger says
I think we all need a recipe to two to use up leftovers like turkey and this soup hits the spot! Thanks for sharing!
Tina says
I really liked how this one turned out Analida, and I was really trying to ‘cook from the cupboard’. I think I only purchased one ingredient to make this:)
Megan says
Ah! This is perfect timing. I’m going to need this recipe next week when I have all of that leftover turkey and I need to make something delicious with it!
Tina says
Happy Thanksgiving Megan!
Ben Myhre says
I would definitely eat this!
Tina says
It’s great with a chunk of crusty bread Ben!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
Well I am a soup lover too. With the cold weather here (unfortunately) the only good thing is that we can create bowls of goodness to get us through the winter months. LOVE smoked paprika…and use it all the time. This soup sounds so hearty…and totally delicious. I would dig into a bowl right now.
Tina says
Good luck Gloria and have fun during soup season;P Stay warm and may the soup be forever in your favor!
Amanda says
I frequently raid my fridge for soup ingredients, too! It’s amazing how easy and delicious soups can be. I’ve never thought of adding vermouth to a soup before – great idea!
Sandi says
This looks like an amazing soup for leftover turkey…or even chicken 🙂
Noel Lizotte says
I too love soup! I often make a “cleaning out the fridge” soup. Amazing how good bits of leftovers can be when combined in a great broth! I love your addition of smoke paprika!
Thanh | Eat, Little Bird says
I love adding split peas to soups too! Looks so delicious.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
i will take soup all year long esp when its so hearty + easy to make.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
Mmmm. Split pea with turkey! Now, that sounds fabulous! I love that you use the leftover turkey! I’ll be making this real soon. Great recipe!
Corina Blum says
This sounds like such a tasty recipe for using up leftover turkey and would be great with chicken too during the rest of the year. Smoked paprika is one of my favourite spices so I am always happy to see recipes that use it.
Sarah says
I love soup too! And yesssss soup is perfect for using up leftovers! What a yummy idea!
Deepika says
Soup Season is here and this soup recipe is a must-try. Saving this and making it soon.
Jenn says
I could eat soup every day! Love all kinds! This soup looks delicious and hearty (even if I do leave out the turkey).
Lisa says
Yes, I make soups to clean out my fridge too! I also make frittatas and omelettes with leftovers or toss leftover veg and meat with pasta for a quick meal! Waste not, want not!
Monica | Nourish & Fete says
What a great healthy way to use up leftover turkey, and I love the idea of saving some for nutritious lunches!
Suzy says
Love paprika! This sounds heavenly!