Turkey White Bean and Kale Soup

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

While the ingredient list isn’t long, each ingredient plays an important role in creating this satisfying soup.

In the printable recipe below, you can find a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

• Leftover Turkey: We use turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner. If making this outside of the holiday season, you can substitute 1.25 pounds of cooked ground turkey.
• White Beans: Either cannellini or northern beans work perfectly in this soup. They add a creamy texture and hearty protein boost. Be sure to drain and rinse them well.
• Kale: Fresh kale adds color, texture, and nutrition to our soup. While you can use curly kale (the most common variety with ruffled edges), red kale (similar to curly but with reddish stems), or lacinato kale (also called Tuscan or dinosaur kale), we prefer lacinato kale for its slightly sweeter flavor and tender leaves. Remove the tough stems and roughly chop the leaves -they’ll cook down significantly, so don’t worry if it seems like too much at first.
• Mirepoix: The classic combination of diced onions, carrots, and celery creates the flavor foundation for our soup.
• Broth: Use low-sodium chicken or turkey broth to control the salt level. If you have homemade turkey broth from Thanksgiving, that’s even better!

How to Turkey White Bean and Kale Soup

Here are the quick step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
_{This post may contain paid affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclaimer policy for details.}

Pro-tip: Cut your turkey into bite-sized pieces while it’s still cold for cleaner, more uniform pieces that will heat evenly in the soup.

1. Build the Soup Base: Start with a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add your olive oil, and once it’s shimmering, add the diced onions, carrots, and celery. Let these vegetables soften and release their flavors, stirring occasionally until the onions become translucent – about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, for about 30 seconds, watching carefully to prevent browning.

2. Create the Broth: Add the thyme, Transform turkey into healthy turkey white bean kale soup.bay leaf, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir in the beans and broth, bringing everything to a gentle simmer.

3. Add the Turkey: To the broth mixture, stir in the shredded turkey, letting it warm. Since it’s already cooked, we’re just warming it through and letting it absorb the flavors of the soup.

4. Finish and Serve: Let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes to meld the flavors together, then add the chopped kale. Cook until the kale is just wilted but still bright green, about 5 minutes. 

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can prepare several components of this soup in advance to make assembly quicker when you’re ready to cook. Prepare your mirepoix (diced onions, carrots, and celery) up to 2 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The kale can be cleaned and chopped a day in advance. Store it in a zip-top bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. We recommend shredding your leftover turkey while it’s still slightly warm, as it’s easier to pull apart. Store all components separately until you’re ready to make the soup. 

How to Store: Let the soup cool completely before storing. It will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Transfer the cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for longer storage, leaving about an inch of headspace for expansion. The soup is perfect for meal prepping or grab-and-go lunch. Pro tip: Freeze it in individual portions for easy reheating.

How to Reheat: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator for the best results. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot. For individual portions, microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. If the soup seems too thick after storage, simply add a splash of broth while reheating to reach your desired consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions