Creamy Ground Turkey Soup One Pot

Love healthy and wholesome soup recipes? Try my turkey noodle soup, Tuscan white bean soup, Mexican soup, and Albondigas soup next. If you are after a flavor-packed, one-pot, and speedy soup to please the whole family, my ground turkey soup recipe has your name on it! It’s a twist on my mom’s Italian-style turkey soup, but this time, we’re swapping out the shredded turkey meat for ground turkey meat to make things easier and cheaper.

Why I love this recipe

One pot meal. From sautéing veggies to simmering, everything happens in a pot. Cleaning up afterward is an absolute breeze! Customizable. I love how forgiving this recipe is. You can use different veggies, add some grains, or any spice mix you like. Best flavor. The umami, creamy, garlicky, and herby flavors marry so well. This is the kind of soup you WILL enjoy eating (just ask certain family members of mine…). Healthy and filling. Packed with protein, fiber, and slow-releasing carbs, I often refer to this as balance in a bowl.

Ingredients Needed

Ground turkey. Because we are making soup (not something in a skillet or pan), any ground turkey works. I like to use lean ground turkey, but extra lean or a fattier cut will work just fine. Bacon. Adds some meatier elements but also forms the flavorful foundation of the soup base. Yellow onion and garlic. The non-negotiable aromatics that, let’s face it, every soup needs. Carrots, zucchini, and celery. Finely chopped. These are my go-to soup vegetables. Yukon gold potatoes. My favorite potatoes for soups or slow-cooked dishes. These particular potatoes don’t fall apart or make the soup chalky. If you can’t find these potatoes, use any kind but chop them into larger pieces. Coconut milk. Full-fat coconut milk is used for its creaminess and richness without needing actual heavy cream. Chicken broth. Because we are using ground meat, there isn’t as much flavor compared to a whole piece of turkey. To compensate, I like to use chicken broth to make up for the flavor. Opt for a good quality broth with no added sugar. Thyme and oregano. Use fresh herbs for maximum flavor. Salt and pepper. To taste. Chopped parsley For garnish.

How to make ground turkey soup

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. “I made this last night, and it is a winner. My husband and I are both enjoying it, particularly during this cold Arctic blast we’re experiencing!” – Candy

Arman’s recipe tips

Simmer for longer: If you are not in a hurry, simmer the soup for up to two hours. I find the flavors develop even more, and you can tell: try having a bowl a few days after cooking it. It tastes SO good. Prep veggies in advance: Chop them and refrigerate them in an airtight container ahead of time. When it is time to make the soup, bring them out and get cooking. Use a non-stick pot: Maybe it’s just me, but I find that cooking this soup in a non-stick pot is much easier to clean than other pots (no potatoes sticking to the base!).

Storage instructions

To store. Store turkey soup leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days. Slow cooker method: Add all the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Instant Pot method: Brown the bacon, onion, garlic, and turkey on sauté, then add the vegetables, broth, coconut milk, herbs, and seasoning, pressure cook for 8 minutes, and release pressure before serving.

Cut out the meat. Substitute the ground turkey and bacon with extra firm tofu for a meaty texture. Red, white, kidney, and pinto beans also make fantastic protein-rich additions. Use other ground meat. Can’t find turkey? Ground chicken and ground pork are the best substitutes, but ground beef and ground lamb will also work. If you use the latter two, opt for lean cuts, as they will not add excess liquid to the soup. Make it spicy. I have kept the spice at bay for this recipe, but feel free to pump up the heat using jalapenos, hot sauce, or chili flakes. I sometimes like to add a few shakes. of Tabasco sauce. Add taco seasoning. Ever heard of ground turkey taco soup? Add a tablespoon of taco seasoning, and this dish will transform into a completely new meal! Add grains. Stir in pasta or white or brown rice for some extra wholesome carbs.

To freeze. Good news! Like any good soup, this one freezes well for three months in a freezer-safe container. Reheating. Reheat in the pot until hot, or do as I do and zap it in the microwave for 45 seconds.