Southwestern Turkey Soup (Printable)

A warming bowl loaded with turkey, beans, corn, and bold Tex-Mex flavors in a rich, spiced broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup frozen or canned corn kernels, drained if canned
06 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
08 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
09 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced, optional
10 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste

→ Liquids

11 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices and Seasonings

13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
15 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
17 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
18 - 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
19 - Juice of 1 lime
20 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish

→ Optional Garnishes

21 - Sliced avocado
22 - Crumbled tortilla chips
23 - Shredded cheese
24 - Sour cream

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and red bell pepper; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and jalapeño if using; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir for 1 minute to toast and activate the spices.
04 - Mix in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize slightly.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, diced tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, corn, and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil.
06 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in turkey and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld.
07 - Stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro and optional toppings such as avocado, tortilla chips, cheese, or sour cream.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This soup transforms basic turkey leftovers into something so flavorful that youll find yourself roasting turkey year-round just to make it.
  • The combination of warming spices and fresh lime juice creates this perfect balance that somehow manages to be both comforting and refreshing at the same time.
02 -
  • Never add the lime juice during the simmering process, as I learned the hard way when I once ended up with a strangely bitter soup that had lost all the bright citrus notes.
  • The soup actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to deepen and meld, so dont hesitate to make it ahead.
03 -
  • Keep a zip-top bag in your freezer for poultry scraps and bones, then use them to make homemade broth that elevates this soup to an entirely new level.
  • If you dont have leftover turkey, a rotisserie chicken works beautifully, and the slight smoky flavor from the skin adds another dimension to the broth.
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