Description
This Turkey and Rice Soup is a comforting and hearty bowl of warmth featuring tender shredded turkey, long-grain rice, and vibrant vegetables in a savory broth. Finished with a zesty gremolata of fresh lemon zest, parsley, and garlic, it offers a perfect balance of freshness and richness, ideal for a nourishing meal any day of the year.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large onion, diced small
- 3 ribs celery, thinly sliced into half moons
- 2 large carrots, thinly sliced
- 8 cups chicken broth or homemade turkey broth
- 3/4 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded (~10 ounces)
- Kosher salt, to taste
Gremolata
- 1/3 cup minced flat leaf parsley
- 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 medium lemon, juice and zest
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Simmer Soup: Add the sliced celery, carrots, chicken or turkey broth, and long grain white rice to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the rice is tender but still retains a slight bite.
- Mix Gremolata: While the soup simmers, zest half the lemon into a small bowl. Add the minced parsley and garlic, stirring well to combine. In a separate small bowl, squeeze the juice from the lemon half. Set both bowls aside for garnish and finishing flavors.
- Finish and Serve: Once the rice is tender, stir in the shredded cooked turkey and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the turkey is heated through. Add the reserved lemon juice and season the soup to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with the prepared parsley, lemon zest, and garlic gremolata. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The fresh lemon juice combined with parsley, garlic, and lemon zest at the end brightens the soup and creates a vibrant flavor contrast that makes it irresistible.
- You can use homemade turkey broth made from turkey carcass and vegetables, or substitute chicken broth if preferred.
- To save time, use pre-cooked turkey meat such as leftovers, turkey breast, or rotisserie turkey.
- Adjust the rice cooking time slightly if using different rice varieties to ensure the desired texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 237 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1224 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 64 mg
