This 15-Minute Asian Turkey Noodle Soup brings an Asian twist to your leftover turkey noodle soup! Quick, easy and delicious, this one can 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 for 15-Minute Asian Turkey Noodle Soup
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
A quick, easy and delicious soup, that can start with either cooked, left-over turkey or use meat from a grocery store rotisserie chicken instead for a chicken noodle soup.
Ingredients
Soup:
- 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz sliced cremini or button mushrooms (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 chopped bok choy leaves
- 1/2 cup diced green onion plus more for garnish
- 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 8 oz fresh or frozen udon noodles (250g) see notes*
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Additional diced green onion
- Drizzle of Sriracha or other Asian-style hot sauce
- Lime wedges for drizzling
Instructions
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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, soy sauce, fish sauce and sesame oil. Stir to combine. Add fresh or frozen udon noodles.
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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. Spoon soup in to bowls. Garnish with additional green onion and a drizzle of Sriracha.
Recipe Notes
You can use fresh or frozen udon noodles. If frozen, no need to thaw. Simply add the frozen noodles directly to the soup. If you can't find fresh or frozen udon, look for the vacuum-packed, shelf stable udon noodles in the Asian section of your grocery store. They are usually sold in packages of 4 or 8 individual packages of 4oz. So you would need 2 packages for this soup. Again, add directly to the soup. No need to pre-cook or pre-soak.
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!
Thanks so much, Robyn and I agree, we should cook turkey more often! A nice change from all the chicken :)
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!
Thanks Dawn and yes, the 15 minutes is always good :)
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!
Thanks so much, Tricia! And yes, had all the family together :)
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.
Thanks Milena and exactly! It is totally what I crave after the heavy food of Thanksgiving :)
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!
Thanks Chris and yes, after a weekend of over-indulging, it was just what the doctor ordered :)
We can never have enough delicious options for Thanksgiving leftovers! So happy your holiday was beautiful!
Thanks so much, Annie :)
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!
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 :)
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!
Thanks so much, Cheyanne!
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!
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!