Turkey Leftover Made Delicious – Creamy Turkey Sweetcorn Soup

Ah, Christmas! The joy, the feasting, and then... the leftovers. If you've found yourself staring at the pile of dry turkey wondering what on earth to do with it, fear not. This creamy turkey sweetcorn soup has become a household favourite of mine - a comforting, warming dish with a hint of fragrant shiitake mushrooms. It's perfect for transforming those crumbly turkey pieces into something spectacular. Let's dive in!

Why this soup works

• Flavourful transformation: Leftover turkey can be dry, but in this creamy soup, it becomes tender and delicious.
• Minimal effort: The recipe is simple, requiring only a handful of ingredients that you likely already have.
• Versatile ingredients: You can adapt this based on what's available in your kitchen.

Ingredients you'll need

To keep it straightforward, I've used cupboard ingredients and a few Christmas dinner leftovers:

• Leftover turkey: Finely shredded to distribute throughout the soup.
• Chicken broth: Normally, I'd boil chicken legs or a whole chicken for broth, but cubes or ready-made stock work fine here.
• Dried shiitake mushrooms: Soaked in hot water for 15 minutes, then thinly sliced.
• Double cream: Add as much as little as you like, just enough to cream up the soup.
• Cornflour: For thickening, mix a couple of tablespoons with water.
• Carrots: Shredded from half a carrot for a bit of texture and sweetness.
• Sweetcorn: Canned is convenient, but fresh works too if you have it.

How to make Creamy Turkey Sweetcorn Soup

1. Prepare the sweetcorn

Place the sweetcorn into a blender and pulse for a couple of times until it becomes a crumbly paste. There's no need to make it smooth, a bit texture is ideal.

2. Start the soup base

In a pot, combine the chicken broth, blended sweetcorn, and sliced shiitake mushrooms.

Bring it all to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.

3. Add the turkey and carrots

Add the shredded turkey and carrots to the soup.

Bring everything back to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for another 2-3 minutes, just until the carrots are tender and the turkey is heated through.

4. Thicken the soup

In a small bowl, mix the cornflour with a splash of water to dissolve it. Pour this mixture into the soup, stirring constantly for a minute or two until the soup thickens.

5. Add the creamy touch

Stir in the double cream. Adjust the amount based on your preference. Bring the soup back to a gentle boil, then turn off the heat.

Time to serve

Now you've got a pot of delicious Creamy Turkey Sweetcorn Soup that makes excellent use of your Christmas leftovers. Serve it up with a crusty roll or simply enjoy it on its own.

Let me know!

If you give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you add any extra twists or substitutions? Leave a comment or share your pictures - it's always a delight to see how others enjoy these dishes.

Enjoy your cosy bowl of festive warmth and don't forget to check out my blog post: Turkey Leftover Fried Rice.