Turkey Tortilla Soup is a perfect use for leftover turkey! This delicious soup is filled with chunks of turkey, black beans and corn all in a rich broth.
Thanksgiving dinner is a big deal and takes a lot of planning. But luckily, there are usually a lot of leftovers and you can eat again and again. When I start planning for the holiday dinner, I also start planning for the leftovers! The leftovers are just about as important as the main dinner!
This turkey tortilla soup is a must for the after holiday menu. It's delicious, easy to make, and uses up that huge turkey you just had to make!
This soup has a liquid broth flavored with chili powder, tomatoes, onions and garlic. It is loaded with chunks of turkey, black beans, corn and green chilies. The soup is topped with crunchy tortilla strips, green onions and fresh cilantro.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this soup ahead of time. It is great to leave simmering on the stove, or make up a batch and store in the refrigerator and then reheat at lunch or dinner time.
Can I freeze turkey tortilla soup?
Yes, this soup can be frozen. I often make a double batch and then freeze half for another meal. Just add the fresh topping and tortillas strips when ready to eat.
Key ingredients
- Cooked turkey
- Black beans
- Corn
- Canned tomatoes
How do I make turkey tortilla soup?
- Sauté onions.
- When soft, add garlic and corn meal. Stir over low heat for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle on chili powder. Stir for 1 minute. Do not overcook chili powder or it will turn bitter.
- Pour broth over onion mixture and cook over medium heat until simmering.
- Add black beans, corn, turkey and tomatoes.
- Add salt and pepper.
- Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until heated through.
What kind of toppings do you add?
You can add a variety of topping to this soup, depending on what you have on hand and your individual taste. I always like to add freshly chopped cilantro, green onions and crispy tortilla strips. You could also add shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh avocado, fresh tomatoes, and jalapeno slices.
How do I make the crispy tortilla strips?
- Slice corn tortillas into thin strips.
- Place on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
- Toss strips with your fingers and spray again.
- Sprinkle with taco seasoning.
- Place in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and toss lightly.
- Return to oven for an additional 10 minutes or until strips are crispy.
Tips for making turkey tortilla soup
- If your family doesn't like spicy, decrease the amount of chili powder used.
- Most canned chilies have a heat index - mild, medium or hot. Select the type that best fits your taste.
- Add all the juices from the canned tomatoes.
- Be certain to rinse all the sauce from the canned black beans before using in this soup.
- This soup can also be made using leftover chicken - chicken tortilla soup
Other Great Soup Recipes
- Creamy Tomato Soup
- Cheesy Broccoli Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Clam Chowder
- Enchilada Soup
- Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Ham and Bean Soup
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
Check out all my delicious Recipes!
Turkey Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
Soup
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup corn meal
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 8-10 cups turkey or chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked turkey (shredded or chopped)
- 1 14.5 oz can chopped tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn kernels
- 1 8 oz can roasted chili peppers (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Tortilla Strips
- 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
- 12 corn tortillas
Toppings
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- ¼ cup green onions (chopped)
Instructions
Soup
- Saute onions with olive oil over medium heat1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 onion
- When soft, add garlic and corn meal. Stir over low heat for 1 minute.2 cloves garlic, ¼ cup corn meal
- Add chili powder and stir. Do not overcook chili powder or it will turn bitter.1 Tablespoon chili powder
- Add broth and cook over medium heat until simmering.8-10 cups turkey or chicken broth
- Add black beans, corn, turkey, peppers and tomatoes.2 cups cooked turkey, 1 14.5 oz can chopped tomatoes, 1 15 oz can black beans, 1 ½ cups frozen corn kernels, 1 8 oz can roasted chili peppers
- Add salt and pepper.1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
- Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until heated through.
Toppings
- Slice corn tortillas into thin strips.12 corn tortillas
- Place on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
- Toss strips with your fingers and spray again.Sprinkle with taco seasoning.1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
- Place in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and toss lightly.Return to oven for an additional 10 minutes or until strips are crispy.
- Top with fresh cilantro and green onions¼ cup fresh cilantro, ¼ cup green onions
Video
Notes
Tips for making turkey tortilla soup
- If your family doesn't like spicy, decrease the amount of chili powder used.
- Most canned chilies have a heat index - mild, medium or hot. Select the type that best fits your taste.
- Add all the juices from the canned tomatoes.
- Be certain to rinse all the sauce from the canned black beans before using in this soup.
- Can also be made using leftover chicken.
Nutrition
This soup recipe was originally posted in November of 2015. The pictures, text and recipe have been updated.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I completely agree that the leftover planning is just as important as the Big Turkey Day planning! LOVE this turkey tortilla soup, such a delicious way to use up those leftovers!! Cheers and Happy Week of Thanksgiving! <3
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
We had our first cold snap here in Florida this weekend and all I want is a big bowl of soup. This tortilla soup looks perfect. I'll have to save some turkey to make this after Thanksgiving!
Kathy says
Brrr... nothing like a nice soup to warm you up!
David @ Spiced says
We just picked up our turkey yesterday, and I got an extra-large one on purpose. Leftover turkey is the best...and I think I need to turn some of it into soup this year. This looks so comforting right now! 🙂
Kathy says
Getting an extra large turkey is just good planning!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I love taco soup and this looks delicious! So perfect for using up leftover turkey.
Kathy says
Thanks, Amy!
Kalee @ The Crowded Table says
LOVE this idea for Thanksgiving leftovers. It's finally getting cold here in Kansas City, so this soup looks perfect for the day after Thanksgiving. 🙂
Kathy says
Cool weather just says SOUP!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
This soup has some of my favorite flavors, Kathy! I love how it makes use of leftovers. Although I'd welcome this soup any time of year!
Kathy says
I agree. We often use chicken instead of turkey and eat it throughout the year. Around the holidays, it's a great way to use up turkey!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This soup looks incredible and absolutely perfect for leftovers!!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Thanksgiving leftovers are the best! I'm totally planning ahead for this tortilla soup! P.S. Send more baby chicken pics! 🙂
Kathy says
Gotta love those leftovers!
Lindsey says
This looks absolutely delicious!! What a great use for the turkey leftovers! I will be trying this, thanks for sharing <3
Kathy says
I hope you give it a try!
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
This looks absolutely delicious. And I want to pop over to your place now for a bowl (okay....2 bowls but who's counting) of this soup. Those tortilla shells on top. Put me in coach, I'm ready to play. Crunch crunch. Yum!! And you know, my one gift in the kitchen is broth making. I know.....I avoid the kitchen like the plague hoping somehow dinner will just appear, but broth is pricy! Ya know. And these days, with the Ecoli at Chipotle, I feel like it's time to cook. (Yay, we eat there 3 times a week and my husbands condition.....not good! Hello fever among other unpleasantness.
Kathy says
If you already have broth perfected then this soup is no problem! You can do it!