Leftover Turkey Chowder (with Hidden Veggies)
A cozy, creamy turkey chowder that blends the vegetables right into the broth — the perfect way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers without anyone noticing how many veggies are hiding inside.
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 20 min
- Total Time
- 35 min
- Servings
- 6 servings
If your fridge looks anything like mine the day after Thanksgiving, it's a very crowded place — half a turkey here, rogue containers of sides there, and a whole lot of "what am I supposed to do with all of this?" energy. This year, instead of letting that leftover turkey stare at me every time I opened the fridge, I turned it into something comforting and nourishing.
This chowder is everything I want the weekend after Thanksgiving: warm, cozy, and packed full of vegetables — without actually looking packed full of vegetables. All the veggies are blended right into the broth, giving it that classic thick, creamy chowder texture without any flour weighing it down. The only chunks you'll find are the ones you want: tender turkey and sweet pops of corn.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 stalks celery, diced
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 radishes, peeled and chopped
- 3 parsnips, peeled and grated
- 32 oz. chicken bone broth
- 32 oz. water
- 2-3 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 2-3 lbs. cooked turkey, broken into bite-size pieces
- 1 lb. frozen corn, thawed
Instructions
- 1Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and celery, and cook until tender.
- 2Add the carrots, garlic, radishes, parsnips, bone broth, and water. Bring to a boil and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- 3Using an immersion blender, puree the soup to a smooth, chowder-like consistency.
- 4Add the salt, pepper, turkey, and corn. Stir and cook until heated through. Serve warm.
Tips
- Rotisserie chicken works great here too if you don't have leftover turkey.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers keep in individual glass containers in the fridge for up to 7 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Love this recipe? You'll love Chef Erin's Gluten-Free Season's Eatings
Over 60 gluten-free comfort food recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas — appetizers, main courses, side dishes, baked goods, and sweet treats that make the holidays feel both traditional and worry-free.
