This is on of my favorite ways to use leftover smoked turkey!
The secret to this soup isn’t just the meat—it’s the liquid gold you get from the smoked bones. If I have a carcas, I make broth!
By using an Instant Pot, you get “simmered all day” flavor in under an hour, resulting in a rich, smoky broth that makes the vegetables and tender orzo rock.
The Foundation: Smoked Turkey Stock
If you have the carcass or bones from a smoked turkey, start here. If not, you can substitute with high-quality store-bought broth and extra smoked paprika.
- Leftover Smoked Turkey Bones (plus any skin/scraps)
- 8 cups Water
- 1 Onion, halved (leave the skin on for color!)
- 2 Carrots, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp Black peppercorns
Instant Pot Method: Place ingredients in the pot. Seal and cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes. Let it naturally release. Strain the liquid into a bowl and set aside. Pick any meat that fell off the bones and save it for the soup!
The Soup Ingredients
- 2 cups Cooked smoked turkey, shredded
- 1 cup Orzo pasta
- Veggies: Onion, celery, carrots, corn, peas (or whatever is in your crisper drawer!)
- Greens: 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- Aromatics: 4 cloves garlic (minced), fresh thyme, oregano, and basil
- 1 tbsp Olive oil or butter
Instructions
- Sauté the Base: Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function. Add oil/butter and sauté your onions, celery, and carrots until they begin to soften (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic and fresh herbs for the last 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer: Pour your homemade smoked stock back into the pot. Add the corn, peas, and shredded turkey.
- The “Soft Kale” Secret: If using kale, add it now and let the soup simmer. The heat and pressure will break down the tough fibers, making it silky and tender. If using spinach, wait until the very end.
- The Orzo Finish: About 10 minutes before you are ready to eat, stir in the dry orzo. Let it cook directly in the broth until al dente. This allows the pasta to soak up that smoky turkey flavor.
- Serve: Hit it with a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a bright finish.
💡 PRO TIP: Orzo loves to drink up liquid. If you plan on having leftovers, the pasta will continue to absorb the broth in the fridge. When reheating, just add a splash of water or extra stock to bring it back to the perfect consistency!
“Waste nothing, flavor everything.” Get more leftover hacks at Forking Good Food.
