Turkey Soup With Lime and Chile Recipe (2024)

By David Tanis

Turkey Soup With Lime and Chile Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour
Rating
5(806)
Notes
Read community notes

After the overindulgence that comes with Thanksgiving, you might want to try something a little lighter and brighter with your leftover meat. This is a version of sopa de lima, the restorative and delicious Mexican soup popular in the Yucatán. It is usually made with chicken and a local lime, but turkey and supermarket lime are a magical, timely substitute.

Featured in: What Can I Make With Leftover Turkey Besides Sandwiches?

Learn: How to Make Soup

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 large servings

  • 2tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1cup diced onion
  • 1cup diced celery
  • 1cup diced carrot
  • ½teaspoon cumin seed
  • ½teaspoon coriander seed
  • ½teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 6garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1cinnamon stick, 2 inches long
  • Cayenne
  • 2teaspoons salt, or to taste
  • 8cups unsalted turkey or chicken broth
  • Vegetable oil for frying (about 1 cup)
  • 4corn tortillas, at least a day old, cut in ½-inch strips
  • 4 to 6cups cooked turkey meat, shredded
  • 1 or 2firm-ripe avocados
  • 6scallions, chopped
  • 2jalapeños, thinly sliced
  • 1small bunch cilantro, leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped
  • Lime wedges

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

823 calories; 58 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 39 grams monounsaturated fat; 10 grams polyunsaturated fat; 31 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 8 grams sugars; 45 grams protein; 1396 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Turkey Soup With Lime and Chile Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrot and let soften, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.

  2. Step

    2

    Toast the cumin, coriander and peppercorns in a small dry skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute, then grind in a spice mill or mortar. Add the ground spices to the pot, along with the garlic, cinnamon, a pinch of cayenne and salt.

  3. Step

    3

    Add the broth and bring to a boil, then reduce to a brisk simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, then taste for salt and adjust. Keep hot, covered, over very low heat.

  4. Step

    4

    Pour vegetable oil to a depth of ½ inch into a wide skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and looks wavy, add the tortilla strips and fry until barely colored, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove with tongs and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with salt. (The oil may be strained and saved for future frying.)

  5. Step

    5

    In a medium saucepan, heat the shredded turkey meat with a little of the hot soup. Divide the meat among 4 to 6 soup bowls and add a few slices of avocado to each. Ladle about 1 cup soup into each bowl, then garnish with tortilla strips, scallions, jalapeño slices, chopped cilantro and a generous squeeze of lime juice.

Ratings

5

out of 5

806

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Brad

One of our favorite soups ever. I made the turkey broth from the frozen carcass of our Christmas turkey. I used poached chicken breast in place of shredded turkey. Instead of frying the tortillas, I baked them (450 oven for five minutes, then brush with olive oil, turn and bake for another 5-7 minutes). Corn bread would be a great alternative to the tortilla strips too.

Linda

I like radish slices and maybe a little shredded cabbage. I put the soup in the bowls and then added all the embellishments on top. Lots of lime is a must. You can do this with less turkey and I prefer the cilantro leaves left whole, like the photo shows. A great soup!

Renee

Outstanding! Bit of cinnamon stick added delicious complexity to boxed organic chicken broth. Since I had no
leftover turkey (went to friends for Thanksgiving) poached skinless chicken breast and thighs in the soup.

Melissa

I made this with chicken and it was delish. If you plan on simmering the broth for longer than 15 minutes, I would remove the cinnamon stick, otherwise it will dominate the flavor. I added white beans and cabbage as a garnish. Good stuff!

Sally

I made the full recipe and then froze the excess (there are only 2 of us). I added the tortillas and avocado when I thawed it -- it may have been even tastier than when it was fresh-made.

Bernice Glenn

I cook turkey thighs or drumstick parts to make a broth, and from there, can make a variety of soups. This one is a great addition to my turkey soup repertoire. I will add the spices to the broth while it is cooking, and it will flavor the turkey as well.

Amber

Very good! The toppings are what makes the dish. I thought the cinnamon was too overpowering and will leave it out next time and perhaps try a touch of chipotle in adobo instead.

bk cook

This soup is terrific. Use homemade broth if possible. The only change I made is to add cinnamon stick after boil to steep for a few minutes. This yields a subtle cinnamon flavor. Delicious!... lime squeeze is perfect.

Ace Weems

This is the third week I've made this soup. Absolutely can't get enough of it.

Kara

Delicous and flavorful! We used the crock pot instead and simply threw in all ingredients together (except for avacado and tortilla strips) and left over night! we also squeezed in the lime juice instead of using the wedges since this makes it a little easier to take to work.

Richard Schillen

We made a party of this soup to celebrate the Chinese New Year banquet that we didn't get into. So we served the big soup in a tureen surrounded by all the side dishes. It was the best Mexican soup banquet we've ever had. Happy Year of the (Mexican) Pig!

Christiane von Buelow

A fabulous soup. I did double the carrots and celery because the soup seemed too thin otherwise. Also, it's really not necessary to fry the corn tortillas when you can just brush one side lightly with oil and put them in the toaster oven on high (turning them once). The toppings really make this soup, so don't skimp on scallions, jalapenos and avocado.

Gail

In making this soup I started from scratch. First made a stock from turkey wings, onion, carrot, celery, bayleaf, I" knob of ginger and two small arbol chilis, deseeded. Simmered for 2.5 hours. Delicious! Then took half breast of turkey and poached it in the broth for 25 mins, cooled, shredded and proceeded with the recipe as written. It was/is delicious. A long process, but well worth it.

Terry J

An easy, tasty and relatively light recipe for the leftover turkey. Since we like our food on the spicy side I doubled the spices and used serranos instead of jalapeños. Also added diced zucchini and small potato to give a bit more body. This recipe is a keeper.

spiffypaws

I've made this a few times and love it.Alterations:Double the spice component.When I add the stock, I add the sliced Jalopenos.I don't use the cinnamon.Garbonzo beans and hominy (2 large cans) make it more of a meal in itself

Ace Weems

This is the third week I've made this soup. Absolutely can't get enough of it.

Richard Schillen

We made a party of this soup to celebrate the Chinese New Year banquet that we didn't get into. So we served the big soup in a tureen surrounded by all the side dishes. It was the best Mexican soup banquet we've ever had. Happy Year of the (Mexican) Pig!

Rob

Nice bright lively take on turkey soup. The lime, avocado and tortilla strips all contributed. Added about three cups of roma beans I had on hand. Great addition.

Scott O'Neil

This is a great recipe! I made it as detailed in the recipe. I did bump up the veggies and the meat - in my case chicken poached in the turkey stock, to make it heartier. Also baked the tortilla strips. It was absolutely delicious!!

Lin

Scott...I'm interested in whether or not you brushed the corn tortillas with any oil before baking? Thank you. Delicious recipe, I agree with adding extra veggies and meat. Fresh corn sliced off the cob thrown in for the last 10 minutes before eating is delicious.

Tawnia Litwin

Make again and again so good chicken stock enriched with turkey juice but regular would be awesome.

LDS

Wonderful soup, loved the flavors- the cinnamon and lime make this uniquely delicious.

bk cook

This soup is terrific. Use homemade broth if possible. The only change I made is to add cinnamon stick after boil to steep for a few minutes. This yields a subtle cinnamon flavor. Delicious!... lime squeeze is perfect.

dimmerswitch

Remembering the old tune, "It's cryin' time again", as the New Year approaches "It's diet time again". And this recipe is a perfect fit for making dieting enjoyable. I make as written but for simmering the jalapeno in broth. If you don't have leftover turkey on hand, a half turkey breast (@ 2.75 lb) will yield what you need here. Most butchers have them post holidays, fresh or frozen. Braise breast stove top & you'll have broth to use too.

spiffypaws

I've made this a few times and love it.Alterations:Double the spice component.When I add the stock, I add the sliced Jalopenos.I don't use the cinnamon.Garbonzo beans and hominy (2 large cans) make it more of a meal in itself

spiff ypaws

also, I add 6 thinly sliced corn tortillas to the soup when I add the stock and helps to add structure and more flavor

Marla Lackey

This soup is a little bland for a Texans taste. I have recipes for tortilla soup that I like much better. But it was alright.

Terry J

An easy, tasty and relatively light recipe for the leftover turkey. Since we like our food on the spicy side I doubled the spices and used serranos instead of jalapeños. Also added diced zucchini and small potato to give a bit more body. This recipe is a keeper.

Yoon N

Amazing soup. Within the top 10. Has everything. Hard,soft,sour,sweet, salty, spicy and aroma.

Molly

It was not apparent to me why this soup would be any better than any other of the many leftover turkey soup recipes out there from scanning the ingredients, but it really is delicious, and I will make it with turkey leftovers again (and likely again!)

Patricia P

Superb. I added a parmesan cheese rind. Result was a very subtle and satisfying enrichment. Many thanks to Melissa Clark for her recommendation of 2010.

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Turkey Soup With Lime and Chile Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the most famous soup in Turkey? ›

Mercimek soup, known as Turkish lentil soup, is one of the most favored traditional soups in Türkiye. It's a very simple dish requiring only a few ingredients yet its taste is matchless! Lentils are legumes that are very high in fiber, are packed with vitamin B, and a great source of potassium.

How do you make bland turkey soup taste better? ›

You can add more herbs and different spices to add more flavor to turkey soup, but sometimes a bit of salt is all you need. The other clincher is cooking the carcass low and slow to get as much flavor from the roast turkey as possible.

Why is turkey soup good for you? ›

The benefits of bone broth go beyond its flavor. It is full of collagen and gelatin which are great for hair, nail and skin health as well as healthy joints. It's also full of nutrients that can contribute to improved gut and immune system health.

What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

What's the number one soup in America? ›

Chicken Noodle Soup is the most popular soup in America. More than 28% of consumers choose clam chowder as their favorite kind of soup. The global soup market size was valued at USD 16.1 billion in 2018. Vegetable soup is the second most popular soup in the U.S after chicken noodle soup.

How do you add depth of flavor to soup? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

How can I thicken my turkey soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool. Add a few tablespoons of flour or cornstarch to the bowl and whisk until it's blended smooth. Next, bring the soup to a simmer and add the mixture back to the pot. Pro tip: Don't dump in the entire mixture at once.

What seasoning makes soup taste better? ›

Herbs de Provence is a spice blend that will help you get a mellow, herbaceous flavor in your broth. Beef broth is extremely flavorful as is, but you can certainly dress it up with some spices. Try adding cinnamon sticks, cloves, whole coriander and star anise, which recreate the flavor of pho.

Why is my turkey soup so greasy? ›

It happens. One common error is letting soup boil, not simmer. With boiling, any fat rendered by the meat or bones will be churned back into the broth instead of floating to the top where it can be skimmed off. Broth that has been boiled turns cloudy and has a greasy taste and feel.

Is turkey bone marrow good for you? ›

The carcass's connective tissue can also add collagen, which can be beneficial to joint health. And bone marrow can be rich in iron, vitamins A and K and other nutrients.

How long can you eat turkey soup? ›

Storing Turkey Noodle Soup

Refrigerate leftover in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.

Do you use stock or broth for turkey? ›

Thanksgiving Help Line

You can use either stock or broth for keeping dressing moist or as a basis for gravy, but a strong flavor will give you better results.

Why is my turkey soup foaming? ›

When soups and stocks are about to boil, proteins start to congeal and create foams that rise to the surface. It's usually whitish or brownish and you need to remove the form as quickly as possible before it boils and mixes up the scum with the soup/stock.

What is the gelatinous stock in turkey soup? ›

It will liquefy again when you heat it up, so don't worry! Gelling simply refers to the way the broth congeals when you cool it in the fridge. Really good bone broth is gelatinous (and jiggly). Your broth is still nutritious, even if it doesn't gel.

What is Ottoman soup? ›

Sultan's soup is also known as Ottoman soup. Originally served to the sultans of that era, it is typically made from chicken, thickened with flour and an egg yolk and then flavoured with blanched almonds.

Do Turkish people eat soup for breakfast? ›

Breakfast in Ottoman Cuisine

In the Ottoman society , there was a habit of eating after the prayers in the mornings and evenings at these times. Thus, only two meals a day were eaten. Soup was usually drunk in the morning. Moreover, this habit still continues in rural areas of Anatolia.

What do Turkish people eat when sick? ›

Chicken and Vermicelli Soup (Şehriyeli Tavuklu Çorbası)

Şehriyeli tavuklu çorbası (Turkish chicken noodle soup) is often called 'sick soup', a popular antidote to cases of flu and colds. Chicken broth strengthens the immune system and heals a raft of illnesses during the winter months.

What is tarhana soup made of? ›

Tarhana is made by mixing flour, yoghurt or sour milk, and optionally cooked vegetables, salt, groats, and spices (notably tarhana herb), letting the mixture ferment, then drying, and usually grinding and sieving the result.

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