After your big celebration or holiday feast, don’t forget to make plans for the leftover ham, chicken, or turkey that you worked so hard to make delicious. It should come as no surprise that soup is the perfect meal to take every advantage of extra meat and bones! Browse my round-up of soups that call for pre-cooked meat and give your delicious entrees from Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other special occasions a second life! I’ve included my best Soups for Leftover Ham, Chicken, and Turkey, and even a stock recipe.
Tips for Using Leftover Meats
- Allow cooked meat to cool to room temperature before storage (but not longer than 2 hours out of the oven).
- Store leftovers you’ll use soon in the refrigerator for up to three days. Be sure to bring the meat back up to a safe temperature when cooking the soup. Poultry should reach an internal temp of 165ºF while cooked ham needs 140ºF (source: USDA Food & Safety).
- Freeze leftovers that need longer storage. Frozen meat retains quality for 2 to 3 months before freezer burn starts to set in.
- Divide meat to be frozen into usable portions rather than storing everything in one bag. If you typically use 2 cups of shredded chicken for a recipe, freeze it in 2-cup containers or freezer bags.
- Thaw frozen meat in the freezer overnight before using. Do not refreeze after cooking.
- A carcass with bones and cartilage can usually be broken down enough to fit in a one-gallon zipper bag, either for storage in the fridge for a day or two, or for freezing.
To give your soups extra pizzazz, don’t forget the soup toppings!
Soups with Leftover Ham
Leftover ham from a celebration bake is a real treat. Ham goes particularly well with bean soups, adding so much flavor that just about all of my bean soup recipes call for ham as an ingredient. Another favorite ham-friendly soup type is cheesy pasta soups: ham + cheese + carbs = big win! Some of my soup recipes here call for a ham bone or shank to flavor the simmering soup broth, along with meat from the bone, so you can put all the leftover parts to good use.
Ham and Bean Soup
This Ham and Bean Soup is classic comfort food! Smoky ham, white beans, and aromatic veggies simmer into a thick, rich, and hearty soup that’s cozy and delicious. Perfect for using up leftover ham bones for a budget-friendly meal the whole family will love.
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Cordon Bleu Tortellini Soup
Cordon Bleu Tortellini Soup is proof that a little inspiration from a classic recipe can go a long way. Rotisseri chicken, diced ham, and a savory mirepoix build the base, while Dijon mustard, Gruyere, and half-and-half create a creamy, indulgent broth that feels far fancier than a one-pot weeknight dinner has any right to be. Cheese tortellini seals the deal.
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Senate Bean Soup
Senate Bean Soup is an historically famous recipe made with just navy beans, a ham hock, and aromatic vegetables. This humble but hearty soup has been served in the cafeteria of the U.S. Senate for decades and is a true classic for bean soup lovers.
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Cuban Black Bean Soup
I adore bean soups and this one is made with simple ingredients, including black beans, aromatic vegetables, zesty Cuban-inspired spices and a smoky ham hock. This splendid Cuban Black Bean Soup simmers for hours to develop a rich and creamy texture, making it superb comfort food for chilly evenings.
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Ham and Potato Soup
This Ham and Potato Soup checks all the cozy boxes with creamy potatoes, savory ham, pancetta, and veggies simmered together for a warming, family-friendly meal. This recipe uses just meat; no bones needed.
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Red Beans and Rice Soup
My take on Red Beans and Rice stays close to its New Orleans roots with plenty of smoky pork flavor from a ham hock and spicy Andouille sausage. Creamy, perfectly cooked red beans make this humble dish extra crave-worthy, especially when ladled over a bed of fluffy white rice. Serve with cornbread and enjoy a taste of the Big Easy at home.
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15 Bean Soup
This soup is more than just a mish-mash of a dozen or so beans. The varied sizes cook at different rates to create a wonderfully textured soup: Smaller beans cook down to creamy smoothness, while heartier beans retain their shape and al dente consistency. A smoky ham hock and kielbasa ensure that this is no mild-mannered bean soup. It's substantial enough to serve as a main for dinner, and its warmth factor makes it great comfort food.
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Southwest Broccoli Queso Chowder
I first saw this recipe in a food magazine, and what grabbed my attention was its unusual chowder ingredient, packaged southern-style hash browns. It proved quite delicious and, along with a nice helping of cooked ham, gives this chowder wonderful texture and flavor.
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Soups with Leftover Chicken
Leftover chicken is one of my favorite time-saving soup ingredients. It’s even faster than breaking down a rotisserie chicken, since you’ve already done the work! And chicken is such a mild ingredient that it can go into just about any soup to add heft and protein. Here are a few of my reader-favorite recipes that call for cooked chicken, either leftover or rotisserie.
Rotisserie Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe
Chicken soup is wonderfully flexible and can be dressed up in a lot of ways. I was really in the mood for something bright and herby when a chicken soup craving suddenly kicked in. And this was the beautiful result. Pesto made it special; leftover chicken makes it fast and economical.
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Creamy Chicken and Corn Soup
This Creamy Chicken and Corn Soup is one of those simple, back-pocket recipes that’s always a hit. With leftover chicken and canned creamed corn, it’s hearty, comforting, and fast enough for busy evenings.
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Southwest White Chicken Chili
Here's a twist on traditional white chicken chili that brings serious Southwest vibes to your bowl. Leftover chicken makes it easy-breezy, and the combination of green chiles, salsa verde, spices, and masa harina creates layers of flavor that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
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Jalapeno Popper Chicken Soup
This Jalapeno Popper Chicken Soup is a creamy, cheesy, dreamy soup, packed with all the flavors you love from the jalapeño popper appetizer. It’s a hearty, comforting meal that's a great use for leftover chicken, and sure to become a new family favorite.
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Chicken Potato Soup with Bacon
Not everyone is an adventurous eater, and sometimes — maybe often? — you just need a good, no-frills but fully-flavored meat-and-potatoes soup that won't get side-eyes at the table. No worries. Leftover chicken to the rescue!
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Thai Ramen Noodle Chicken Soup
Tasty with bright Thai flavors, this chicken soup cooks up quickly thanks to ramen noodles and leftover or rotisserie chicken. If you’re using the economical packs of dried ramen noodles, be sure to discard the flavor packet – you don’t need it!
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Chicken Enchilada Soup
When comfort food calls but time is tight, this Chicken Enchilada Soup answers beautifully. Rotisserie chicken meets your favorite Tex-Mex ingredients for a zesty, crave-worthy meal.
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Cold-Fighting Couscous Chicken Soup
As the name implies, I created this chicken soup specifically for when we're down and out with icks. From nourishing ingredients like ginger, garlic, and lemongrass, to pearl couscous (no splish-splashy noodles), and, of course, the restorative power of chicken and chicken broth, it's the ultimate feel-better soup.
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Soups with Leftover Turkey
Roasting a whole turkey is often saved for special celebration events, including the major sit-down dinner holidays. So, make sure you take advantage of the whole bird, using both meat and bones for soup.
Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
When the big feast is over and there’s turkey to spare, Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup is the cozy answer. The nutty bite of wild rice pairs beautifully with turkey and vegetables simmered in a creamy, flavorful broth. A simple, delicious way to make the most of the holiday table so that nothing goes to waste.
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Turkey White Bean Soup
A hearty soup with delicious layers of flavor, this soup is chock full of savory vegetables, protein-packed white beans, and smoked sausage. Perfect for leftover turkey or even a rotisserie chicken when the evenings are busy and time is short.
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Avgolemono Turkey Soup
Normally made with chicken, Avgolemono Turkey Soup is a delicious cousin to the classic Greek recipe. Egg yolks and lemon are the secret to the lusciously creamy broth, and the leftover turkey means everything comes together quickly.
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Slow Cooker Turkey Stock
If you're roasting a turkey for your special dinner, don't waste the carcass! Use the leftover turkey meat for the soups above, and then make a big batch of homemade turkey stock in your slow cooker with the bones. Slow Cooker Turkey Stock can be used interchangeably with chicken broth, and frozen for future use.
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I hope this collection has inspired some creative and delectable uses for the leftovers from your celebration meals.
