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    Home » Soups » Southwest Turkey Soup

    Southwest Turkey Soup

    Published: January 11, 2019 · Jill Baird · 3 Comments

    This Turkey Enchilada Soup is one of the best leftover turkey recipes!! It's quick and easy, it can be made in 30 minutes or less.

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    ground turkey enchilada soup
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    turkey enchilada soup

    This Turkey Enchilada Soup is a quick, easy and delicious way to use up leftover turkey.  It’s a hearty soup packed with veggies, beans, tomatoes, enchilada sauce and other southwestern flavors.

    Jump to:
    • Southwest Turkey Enchilada Soup
    • Ingredients in Turkey Enchilada Soup
    • How to Make Turkey Enchilada Soup
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing and Reheating
    • Turkey Enchilada Soup Recipe
    • More of the Best Soup Recipes To Try

    Southwest Turkey Enchilada Soup

    Next time you find yourself with leftover turkey, skip the turkey sandwiches and give this Turkey Enchilada Soup a try.  Since the turkey is already cooked, it only takes about 30 minutes to make and is just so darn good.  This is also the perfect soup for tossing in leftover green beans, corn, or other veggies you may have lying around.

    Mix and match your favorite southwestern toppings like sour cream, tortilla chips, avocado and fresh cilantro, then serve with Wheat Rolls, Parker House Rolls, or Homemade Flaky Biscuits or popovers for a seriously hearty meal.  

    If you're looking for a great whole turkey recipe, this one is flavor-filled and I'll show you how to make it step by step.  For something a little easier, you try this herb-crusted turkey breast or even a slow cooker turkey breast.  All of these recipes are perfect for Turkey Enchilada Soup. 

    Turkey Enchilada Soup in a large dutch oven with a ladle.

    Ingredients in Turkey Enchilada Soup

    • Turkey - leftover turkey works great for this soup, as does cooked ground turkey.  It can also be made with rotisserie chicken, or any kind of leftover cooked chicken.
    • Butter - I like the flavor of butter in this recipe, but you could absolutely substitute olive oil or avocado oil.
    • Onion - either white or yellow onion works great for this soup.
    • Garlic - fresh garlic has the best flavor, but minced garlic from the jar will work well in a pinch.
    • Chili Powder - use your favorite kind of chili powder and feel free to add a little more or less depending on how spicy you like your turkey soup.
    • Corn - fresh or frozen corn can be used for this recipe.  If you use frozen corn, be sure and thaw and drain it first.
    • Black Beans - rinse and drain your black beans well before adding to the soup.  You could also use kidney beans or pinto beans to mix things up.
    • Tomatoes - this recipe calls for a can of crushed tomatoes.  Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles is a great option that fits perfectly with the Southwestern flavors if you want a chunkier tomato.
    • Chicken Broth - you can use any kind of chicken broth for this recipe, or even use your own homemade Chicken Stock.
    • Enchilada Sauce - use your favorite brand of red enchilada sauce for this recipe.
    A white serving bowl full of this enchilada soup recipe, topped with tortilla strips, sour cream and cilantro.

    Toppings for Southwest Turkey Soup

    Here are just a few topping ideas to get you started:

    • Tortilla chips
    • Shredded cheese
    • Sour cream
    • Avocado
    • Fresh cilantro
    • Salsa verde
    • Lime wedges
    • Sliced jalapenos

    How to Make Turkey Enchilada Soup

    1. Saute the onion and garlic.  In a large stockpot, add the butter and melt over medium heat.  Add the onions and cook until they are a light caramel color, or about 5 minutes.  Then add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes more.
    2. Simmer.  Once the garlic is fragrant, add the turkey, chili powder, salt, pepper, corn, black beans, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and enchilada sauce.  Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
    3. Serve.  Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before ladeling into bowls.  Top with tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, fresh cilantro or any of your other favorite toppings.  Enjoy!
    Sliced turkey breast on a serving platter surrounded by fresh lettuce garnish.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make this enchilada soup recipe in a slow cooker?

    Absolutely!  We still recommend sauteing the onions and garlic first, then add them to your slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients.  Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.  

    Can Turkey Enchilada Soup be frozen?

    Yup!  Make sure it is completely cooled, then transfer the soup to freezer bags or another airtight container and store frozen for up to 3 months.

    What can I use instead of leftover turkey?

    If you don’t have any leftover turkey, there are plenty of other tasty options.  Ground turkey enchilada soup is also quite delicious.  Just brown the ground turkey along with the sauteed onion and garlic, then let it finish cooking as the soup simmers.  Also, any type of leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken tastes great.

    Storing and Reheating

    • Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    • Freezer: store cooled soup in freezer bags for up to 2 months.  To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight.
    • To reheat: put soup into a dutch oven or sauce pot and warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

    Tips and Variations

    • If you don't have any leftover turkey you want to use, you can add rotisserie chicken, ground turkey to make it a ground turkey enchilada recipe, or ground chicken instead of the leftover turkey.
    • Add your favorite beans.
    • Add any veggies you love. The broth is delicious, and this recipe is so versatile.
    This Turkey Enchilada Soup is one of the best leftover turkey recipes!! It's quick and easy, it can be made in 30 minutes or less.
    Print

    Turkey Enchilada Soup Recipe

    This Turkey Enchilada Soup is a quick, easy and delicious way to use up leftover turkey.  It’s a hearty soup packed with veggies, beans, tomatoes, enchilada sauce and other southwestern flavors.
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 116kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups Turkey cooked and diced into ½" chunks
    • 3 Tablespoon Butter
    • 1 large Onion diced
    • 2 Tablespoons Garlic minced
    • 2 teaspoon Chili Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Pepper
    • 2 cups Corn fresh or frozen
    • 2 15-oz cans Black Beans rinsed and drained
    • 1 10-oz can Crushed Tomatoes
    • 4 cups Chicken Broth
    • 1 14-oz can Red Enchilada Sauce

    Toppings

    • Tortilla Chips
    • Cheddar Cheese shredded
    • Sour Cream
    • Avocado diced
    • Fresh Cilantro

    Instructions

    • In a large stockpot, add the butter and melt over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they are a light caramel color, or about 5 minutes.  Then add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes more.
    • Once the garlic is fragrant, add the turkey, chili powder, salt, pepper, corn, black beans, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and enchilada sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
    • Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before ladeling into bowls. Top with tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, fresh cilantro or any of your other favorite toppings. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 247mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 365IU | Vitamin C: 9.9mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.7mg

    More of the Best Soup Recipes To Try

    • Lasagna Soup
    • Easy Taco Soup
    • Black Bean Soup
    • Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe
    • Turkey and Rice Soup
    • Roasted Tomato Soup
    • Creamy Potato Broccoli Cheese Soup
    • 30 Minute Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup
    • More Soup Recipes
    • More Turkey Recipes

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you. It helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    Pinterest pin for Turkey Enchilada Soup.

    This Turkey Enchilada Soup is one of the best leftover turkey recipes. It's quick, easy and tastes great topped with sour cream, avocado, tortilla strips and cilantro.

    « Turkey and Rice Soup
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Zoya

      December 03, 2022 at 1:31 am

      I’ve made this multiple times with rotisserie chicken, so yummy!

      Reply
    2. Stephanie

      November 30, 2020 at 6:33 am

      Looks SO good !! Making this today to use up my turkey. Can't wait to try it, thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • The Carefree Kitchen

        January 22, 2021 at 9:52 am

        Awesome! Hope you love it!

        Reply

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