Turkey Barley Soup

Name: Turkey Barley Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion (diced, about 2 cups); 2 stalks celery (diced, about 1 cup); 3 carrots (peeled and diced, about 1 1/2 -2 cups); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 3 quarts turkey broth (or chicken broth); 1 cup pearl barley (not instant); 2 bay leaves; ½ teaspoon rubbed sage; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon dried rosemary; 1-2 teaspoons salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 3-4 cups leftover turkey; ½ teaspoon fresh parsley (garnish, optional)

Leftover turkey soup

As you're nearing the end of your holiday turkey, this barley soup with turkey is a delicious bowl of soup. It not only tastes great, but it's a welcome change from all that rich holiday food.

This soup uses turkey broth, although you could use chicken broth too. It's loaded with carrots and leftover turkey and barley.

I've used regular pearl barley in this recipe and it takes about 45 minutes for it to cook, but I've found that's about how long the carrots need to cook so they are perfectly soft all the way through.

Serve this soup for a light dinner or lunch and leftovers are great reheated too. This barley soup also freezes well which means you've got an easy meal right in the freezer for another dinner!

Key ingredients

Ingredients for making turkey barley soup.

Turkey - use up that leftover holiday turkey. You can dice the turkey or add it shredded. If you don't have any turkey, this soup is perfect with chicken too!

Turkey Broth - make your own or use chicken broth

Pearl Barley - I used regular pearl barley, not instant pearl barley in this recipe. Pearl barley has its fibrous outer hull removed. It provides a delicious texture to this soup.

Veggies - Onion, celery, carrots, garlic and tomatoes. You'll use one can of diced tomatoes, drained. I used my home-canned tomatoes and are perfect in this soup.

Seasoning - Dried thyme, rubbed sage, dried rosemary and bay leaves

Step by step directions

Place olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. When hot, add onions, carrots and celery. Saute for 5-6 minutes until the onions have softened.

Add garlic and stir for about 30 seconds, just until warm

Pour in turkey broth, barley and seasonings

Simmer for 45-60 minutes until barley is cooked through

Add turkey and simmer for another 5-10 minutes until turkey is heated through

Garnish with fresh parsley

Recipe tips

The amount of salt used will vary. I use unsalted turkey broth and sometimes need to add a bit more. I start with one teaspoon and taste the soup just before serving. If needed I add a bit more salt. Adjust to your liking.

Feel free to add a bit more or a bit less turkey, depending on what you have available.

Leftover chicken can be used in place of the turkey

Taste the barley to determine when it is fully cooked. It should be soft, but chewy. If you examine a kernel, you will no longer see any white in the center of the barley.

Frequently asked questions

Can turkey barley soup be frozen?

Yes, this soup freezes well. Allow soup to cool, then place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months.

How long will turkey barley soup last in the refrigerator?

It's best to consume this soup within 3-4 days.

More delicious leftover turkey recipes

A spoonful of soup over a blue and white bowl.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

David @ Spiced says

December 01, 2022 at 5:18 am

I absolutely love pearl barley in a soup! Normally I use it in chicken and rice soup, but this version with turkey sounds delicious...and perfect for this time of the year. It's chilly out there today, and a good bowl of this soup would be great for dinner!