Easy Instant Pot Turkey Soup

Transform your post-holiday turkey into a delightful and satisfying meal with this incredible Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup. Far from a bland leftover dish, this recipe is a vibrant, protein-packed creation bursting with rich, savory flavors reminiscent of a classic enchilada soup. Crafted quickly and effortlessly in your Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot, or any pressure cooker, it’s the ultimate solution for utilizing holiday turkey, offering a refreshing departure from traditional sandwiches. Prepare to amaze your taste buds with a dish that’s both comforting and exciting.

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup: A Quick and Flavorful Solution

The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas often leaves us with an abundance of turkey, making it the perfect time to explore creative leftover recipes. While this recipe shines with leftover turkey, its versatility means you can easily substitute shredded rotisserie chicken for a delicious meal any time of the year. This particular recipe stands out as one of our all-time favorite Instant Pot soup recipes, celebrated for its robust flavor and ease of preparation.

Dealing with holiday leftovers can sometimes feel like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. I firmly believe in minimizing food waste, and that means having a diverse array of options beyond just sandwiches. This soup is designed for speed and convenience, making it an ideal choice for busy households. You don’t necessarily need an Instant Pot; a Crockpot Express or a Ninja Foodi multi-cooker will also yield fantastic results, allowing you to create a hearty, flavorful meal with minimal effort.

Crafting Ninja Foodi Turkey Soup

If you’re utilizing a Ninja Foodi multi-cooker for this recipe, you’ll want to use the pressure cooking lid (the one that is not permanently attached) to achieve the perfect consistency. Since our goal is a tender, flavorful blend of meat and broth, no crisping function is required. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions provided below, and your Ninja Foodi will deliver an equally delicious Instant Pot turkey soup experience.

My philosophy is simple: use what you have and avoid food waste at all costs! Do you find yourself with a generous pile of leftover turkey after the holidays? If so, you’re likely in need of some fresh culinary inspiration, and this Instant Pot turkey soup is an excellent starting point. I’ll also share more of the best leftover turkey recipe ideas further down, ensuring your holiday leftovers never go to waste.

Ultimately, what matters most is a delicious meal, isn’t it? If you prefer a creamy, white-based soup, our popular pressure cooker chicken pot pie soup offers a fantastic alternative. That particular recipe delivers a rich, chowder-like texture and comforting flavors that are equally appealing.

I confess a fondness for quick meals that cleverly incorporate canned and pantry staples, especially on those days when time is short, but a hearty dinner is a must. These “pantry recipes,” as I like to call them, are a lifesaver. You can effortlessly combine a bit of this and a dash of that, add any lingering vegetables from the fridge that need to be used, and voilà – a satisfying meal is ready. This enchilada-inspired turkey soup is a prime example of such a dish.

It brings to mind the simplicity of my 5-ingredient Crockpot chili, where you simply dump all ingredients, stir, heat, and serve. This type of straightforward meal is truly a blessing, especially when we’re rushing home from school and need to be out the door for activities like karate just 45 minutes later.

Essential Ingredients for Your Enchilada Turkey Soup

Creating this flavorful Instant Pot turkey soup requires a handful of accessible ingredients, many of which you likely already have on hand. Each component plays a vital role in building the soup’s rich, authentic enchilada-inspired taste and comforting texture:

1. **Shredded Leftover Turkey:** The star of the show, providing a lean protein base and transforming your holiday leftovers into a new, exciting meal.
2. **Diced Tomatoes (Canned):** I prefer the petite diced variety for a finer texture, but regular diced tomatoes work perfectly if you enjoy a chunkier soup with bursts of tomato flavor.
3. **Black Beans (Canned):** Adds a fantastic earthy flavor, protein, and fiber. Remember to drain and rinse them thoroughly before adding.
4. **Whole Kernel Corn (Canned):** Sweet corn kernels bring a delightful crunch and natural sweetness that complements the savory and spicy notes.
5. **Chicken Stock or Turkey Broth / Bone Broth:** The liquid base for the soup. Chicken stock offers a universally appealing flavor, while turkey broth intensifies the turkey essence. Bone broth adds an extra layer of richness and nutritional benefits.
6. **Minced Garlic and Diced Onion:** These aromatic powerhouses form the foundation of flavor, providing depth and a savory backbone to the soup. Garlic, in particular, finds its way into almost everything I cook!
7. **Corn Flour (Masa Harina):** This is the secret to achieving that wonderfully thick, authentic enchilada soup consistency. It’s a natural thickening agent that perfectly suits the Mexican-inspired flavor profile of this dish.
8. **Enchilada Sauce (Red):** The key ingredient that infuses the soup with its distinctive, savory, and slightly spicy enchilada character.
9. **Optional Toppings:** Elevate your soup experience with a variety of fresh and creamy garnishes:
   1. **Avocado:** Creamy, cool avocado slices provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, spicy soup.
   2. **Cilantro:** Freshly chopped cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous note and a vibrant pop of color.
   3. **Shredded Cheese:** A generous sprinkle of your favorite shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend) melts beautifully into the hot soup, adding a rich, gooey finish.
   4. **Sour Cream:** A dollop of sour cream adds a cooling tang and a luxurious creaminess.

The beauty of this soup lies in its adaptability. You can adjust its thickness to your preference by simply adding more broth for a thinner consistency or allowing it to simmer longer on the sauté setting for a heartier texture. As mentioned, I favor corn flour (masa harina) for thickening here because it contributes to the authentic Mexican-style, tomato-based flavor more effectively than traditional wheat flour. For those following a gluten-free diet, ensure you use a certified gluten-free cornstarch or masa harina as an alternative.

Exciting Variations to Customize Your Soup

This Instant Pot turkey soup recipe is wonderfully flexible, allowing for various adaptations to suit your taste, pantry, or dietary needs:

• **Substitute Rotisserie Chicken:** If leftover turkey isn’t available, or you simply prefer it, shredded rotisserie chicken is an excellent substitute. It’s a convenient option that works perfectly year-round.
• **Explore Different Beans:** Feel free to swap black beans for another type of canned bean you have in your cupboard, such as pinto beans or kidney beans. You can also omit beans entirely if they’re not to your liking.
• **Amp Up the Heat:** For those who enjoy a fiery kick, a dash of Tobasco or your favorite hot sauce can be added to increase the spice level.
• **Vegetarian Enchilada Soup:** To create a delicious vegetarian version, simply omit the turkey and use vegetable broth instead of chicken or turkey stock. The robust flavors of the enchilada sauce and vegetables will still shine through, offering a satisfying meat-free meal.

Pictured above is the soup once all the ingredients have been combined and are simmering on the sauté setting, thickening beautifully. It’s truly a straightforward dish to assemble. A small but important tip: always drain and rinse your canned black beans. While it won’t drastically change the flavor, it helps maintain a more appealing color for the final dish, as darker bean liquid can sometimes make a meal look less appetizing. If you don’t own an Instant Pot but are eager to make this delectable turkey soup, don’t worry! You can certainly adapt this recipe for stovetop cooking, much like we did for our turkey pot pie soup.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Pressure Cooker Turkey Soup

Creating this Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup is surprisingly simple and quick. Follow these clear steps to achieve a flavorful and satisfying meal:

• Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the sauté mode. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, a generous tablespoon of cumin, and your shredded, precooked turkey (or shredded rotisserie chicken if preferred). Stir these ingredients well to combine.
• Sauté the mixture for approximately 3 minutes, or until the onions have softened and become translucent, and the aromas are wonderfully fragrant.
• Next, incorporate the enchilada sauce, the drained black beans, the drained corn, and the cans of diced tomatoes into the pot.
• Stir all the ingredients thoroughly. Allow the mixture to cook down on the sauté setting for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent sticking and encourage the flavors to meld. Alternatively, for quicker cooking, you can secure the lid, set it to high pressure for 3 minutes, then perform a quick release.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of chicken stock with 1/2 cup of corn flour (masa harina) until smooth and no lumps remain. Pour this thickening slurry into the soup mixture in the Instant Pot and stir vigorously.
• If not already on, set the Instant Pot back to sauté mode. Stir intermittently, ensuring the bottom doesn’t burn, while allowing the soup to gently simmer and thicken to your desired consistency. Gradually add the remaining 2 cups of chicken stock, or more if you prefer a thinner soup.
• Continue to stir and simmer until the soup reaches your preferred thickness. Once achieved, turn off the Instant Pot.
• Serve immediately for the best flavor and enjoyment.

Elevate your serving experience by topping your bowls with an abundance of delicious garnishes! Crushed tortilla chips add a fantastic crunch, while fresh avocado slices bring a creamy coolness. A dollop of sour cream or a spoonful of vibrant salsa further enhances the flavors, creating a truly customizable and delightful meal.

This versatile recipe truly shines with any type of pre-cooked, shredded meat. Whether you use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or shredded chicken, it’s a fantastic way to transform simple ingredients into a gourmet-tasting meal.

Serving this pressure-cooked delight with a side of crunchy tortilla chips is highly recommended, as they provide a delightful textural contrast. If you happen to have any leftovers of this delicious soup, they store exceptionally well. Always ensure the soup has cooled completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm individual portions in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, or gently warm on the stovetop until heated through.

Discover More Leftover Turkey Recipes You’ll Adore

While you can jump straight to the recipe card below to get started on this savory Instant Pot enchilada soup, we have a variety of other creative ways to use your leftover turkey that you might enjoy trying this week. Don’t let those delicious holiday remnants go to waste!

• **Instant Pot Crack Chicken Casserole:** This immensely popular casserole recipe can be easily adapted by swapping the chicken for your leftover turkey. The creamy, cheesy, and flavorful blend is perfect for a comforting family dinner.
• **Chicken Detox Soup (with Turkey):** Our nourishing chicken detox soup is incredibly versatile. Simply substitute the chicken with shredded turkey for a lighter, healthy meal that’s packed with flavor and beneficial ingredients.
• **Crockpot Chicken Soup (with Turkey):** If you’re a fan of classic comfort food, our Crockpot chicken soup recipe works beautifully with leftover white meat turkey, offering a warm and inviting option for cooler days.

Below, you’ll find the full printable recipe for this Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup, complete with a video tutorial for visual guidance. Nutritional information is also provided, though it’s important to remember that these values are approximations and can vary based on the specific fat content of your turkey and the exact quantities of ingredients used. Feel free to adjust the amount of turkey within reason, typically a cup or so, to suit your dietary preferences.