This quick and easy turkey soup brings an Asian twist to your leftover turkey noodle soup! Can also be made with cooked chicken from a grocery store rotisserie chicken, too!
Canadian Thanksgiving was this past weekend and, at least here in central Ontario, the weather was picture perfect! And of course, there was the food. All the great food :) So now that I'm on the other side of that, I am thinking leftover turkey noodle soup, but I am craving something a little lighter and broth-y and with an Asian twist.
This 15-Minute Asian Turkey Noodle Soup is my answer to both of those situations. It's quick, delicious, uses up my leftover turkey and it's a lovely, light lunch or dinner soup. There's also something about the combination of the comforting broth, with the healthy greens, the fat chewy noodles and the spicy Sriracha heat that makes this a "will cure what ails you" soup. And of course, ready in 15 minutes!
This soup is full of turkey, bok choy and mushrooms, together with some fat udon noodles. The broth is flavoured with a bit of fish sauce and sesame oil. And on top, a drizzle of Sriracha. The secret to this speedy soup is starting with cooked turkey (or chicken!) and using noodles that require no pre-cooking. It all just comes together easily in one pot. And if you froze your left-over turkey, you will be thrilled to know that you can put it right in the soup frozen, too.
No turkey? Don't worry. Make this one with rotisserie chicken instead. Just as nice and just as fast!
Cook's Notes
When it came to udon noodles, I used to be only able to get the vacuum-packed, shelf stable version. I've recently found a great source for frozen udon noodles, so it's my udon of choice these days. You may find it labeled "U-Dong". You can find these pretty easily at any large Asian grocery store. You can add the frozen udon noodles directly to the soup. No need to thaw or pre-cook.
If you can't find fresh or frozen udon, look for those vacuum-packed, shelf stable ones in the Asian section of your grocery store. You would use 2 of the standard 4oz. packages and again, just add directly to the soup.
I have used bok choy here, but spinach or another green like chard or kale would be just fine too, if that's what you have on hand.
I like to add the spicy heat at the end, as a garnish, so everyone can decide how hot (or not) their soup is. Sriracha is what I usually use, though Asian Chili Garlic Sauce or Sambal Oelek would be nice, as well.
15-Minute Asian Turkey Noodle Soup
Ingredients
Soup:
- 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms (sliced, (227g) standard grocery tray)
- Pinch salt
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups cooked turkey or chicken (fresh or frozen, in bite-sized pieces)
- 2 cups bok choy (chopped)
- 1/2 cup green onion (diced, plus more for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 8 oz udon noodles (fresh or frozen (250g) see notes*)
- 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Garnish:
- Additional diced green onion
- Drizzle of Sriracha or other Asian-style hot sauce
- Lime wedges (for drizzling)
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add broth, water, cooked turkey (or chicken), bok choy, green onion, fish sauce, soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir to combine. Add fresh or frozen udon noodles.
- Reduce heat to medium and cook soup, until noodles are softened and soup has heated through and flavours have blended, about 10 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper, to taste. Add lime juice and stir to combine. Spoon soup in to bowls. Garnish with additional green onion and a drizzle of Sriracha.
Teri says
Had bookmarked this a while ago and finally got around to making this today. Two things to mention: 1) you call for Lime juice that isn't included in the instructions as to when to add (I added it with the other ingredients) and 2) your instructions state to add Soy Sauce of which are not listed in the ingredients. By the way, this was quick and easy...and delicious!
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for letting me know about the omission. It's fixed now :) Thanks@
Robyn Gleason says
Oh my, Jennifer, this is exactly the kind of thing I love to have after Thanksgiving. Light yet filling. Love the squeeze of lime in there! And I can never get enough turkey. Now I'm counting the days till Christmas. Why don't we cook it more often?
As always, your photos are mouth-watering!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Robyn and I agree, we should cook turkey more often! A nice change from all the chicken :)
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
This looks SO good, Jennifer! And 15 minutes? I want it....like, right now ;) Udon noodles are a favourite of mine too so love that you used them here!
Jennifer says
Thanks Dawn and yes, the 15 minutes is always good :)
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
What a totally slurpable bowl of soup! Glad you had amazing weather and delicious food for your Thanksgiving. Hope you had both kids at home too :) Pinning this recipe for our leftovers next month! It looks completely satisfying especially after a heavy holiday meal. Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Tricia! And yes, had all the family together :)
Milena | Craft Beering says
I love that with this recipe you get to use the leftover turkey meat, but with a different flavor profile from the traditional Thanksgiving/harvest ones. Plus, bok choy is an all time favorite green of mine, so double win! Pinned.
Jennifer says
Thanks Milena and exactly! It is totally what I crave after the heavy food of Thanksgiving :)
Chris Scheuer says
This sounds like a perfect light soup to enjoy after a heavy eating weekend like Thanksgiving. I will pin this delicious looking soup so I can pull it out after our Thanksgiving!
Jennifer says
Thanks Chris and yes, after a weekend of over-indulging, it was just what the doctor ordered :)
annie@ciaochowbambina says
We can never have enough delicious options for Thanksgiving leftovers! So happy your holiday was beautiful!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Annie :)
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
What a luxe soup this is Jennifer ~ and luckily I have all the ingredients here except the turkey, so I'll sub in some rotisserie chicken, I'm really looking forward to this for dinner!
Jennifer says
Thanks Sue! This is one of my favourite quick soups. Something about the chicken broth, greens and the spicy heat. It's a cures what ails 'ya soup :)
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Im glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Jennifer!! This soup is the best way to use up those leftovers!! So creative, girlfriend! Not to mention delicious!! Pinning this for my turkey leftovers!! Cheers!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Cheyanne!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
So happy you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Jennifer! I'll be looking for a recipe just like this in a few weeks too when it's Thanksgiving here! Looks delicious!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Mary Ann :) While our Thanksgiving always seems early, in some ways, it's nice to be on the other side of it and have a bit of a holiday break until Christmas!