Turkey Vegetable Soup

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Say hello to the most comforting and nourishing soup of the season! Our Turkey Vegetable Soup is packed with all the good stuff — lean ground turkey, nutrient-rich black beans, a bold and flavorful seasoning blend, and zesty enchilada sauce. This hearty and healthy soup is guaranteed to become a new family favorite and is perfect for a quick and easy dinner on a chilly winter evening. So grab a bowl and let’s dig in!

Try some of our other favorite turkey-filled soups next, like this White Turkey Chili or Turkey Chili.

Overhead view of Turkey Vegetable Soup

Graphic for "Favorite Soup Recipes" series

Try out this Turkey Vegetable Soup recipe, which is part of our collection of favorite soup recipes. Click here to see all the recipes in the collection.

The BEST Turkey Vegetable Soup

This Turkey Vegetable Soup is a spin-off of one of our most popular recipes on the blog, the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet. It’s a huge hit in our house and we knew it would make an amazing soup too. And let me tell you, this soup does not disappoint! It’s packed with protein and without any toppings, it’s naturally dairy-free. There are loads of veggies and lean ground turkey, and it’s made with a flavorful broth base.

But here’s the secret to making this soup extra tasty – we add in a can of red enchilada sauce. It adds so much flavor and richness to the soup without any extra effort on your part. Plus, red enchilada sauce is low in calories and made with good ingredients. Trust me, this ground turkey vegetable soup is a must-try!

Process shots of Turkey Vegetable Soup: saute onion and red pepper; add ground turkey and seasonings and continue to saute.

Let’s Chat Ingredients

Here are some notes on some of the ingredients in this homemade Turkey Vegetable Soup:

  • For the red enchilada sauce, we recommend using Old El Paso® mild sauce for a touch of heat. If you prefer more heat, you can use a hotter sauce.
  • A high-quality, flavorful chicken stock is essential for adding lots of flavor to the soup. We recommend Swanson® chicken stock as our favorite.
  • When choosing ground turkey, head for the kind sold in a carton instead of a chub. Chub-style ground turkey is usually less flavorful and may need to be drained after browning.
  • To save time, use pre-minced garlic from a jar and pre-diced onions (either fresh or frozen). These are often available in the produce or frozen food sections of the grocery store.

Vegetable Turkey Soup Spiciness

You can customize the level of spiciness in this soup to your preference. As written, the soup has a bit of a kick but is not too intense. (Our kids enjoyed it.)

To make a milder version of the soup, use a mild red enchilada sauce and mild chili powder (such as McCormick®). For a spicier soup, use medium or hot red enchilada sauce and consider adding in 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper. Keep in mind that if you add in cheese and/or sour cream, it will tone down the spice level significantly.

QUICK TIP

Be sure to use chili powder — not to be confused with chilli powder which is very hot. We’re using American chili powder (I use McCormick, which is mild).

Optional Finishing Touches

These two finishing ingredients are optional, but they add a fresh and lively touch to the Turkey Vegetable Soup. I highly recommend them!

  • Fresh cilantro: If you’re a fan of cilantro, you’ll love how it adds a burst of citrusy flavor to the soup. If you’re not a fan, you can substitute with chopped fresh parsley.
  • Fresh lime juice: Lime juice adds a pop of brightness to the soup and enhances all the flavors.

If some people in your family like cilantro and lime and others don’t, you can add these toppings to individual bowls rather than to the pot of soup.

Process shots: Mix through the black beans, lime juice, and cilantro.

Top Your Turkey Vegetable Soup

While the soup is delicious on its own, toppings can really take it to the next level. Here are some of our favorite toppings:

  • Cheese: Grating cheese right on top of each bowl and letting it melt for a minute before stirring it into the soup adds a creamy, savory element.
  • Sour cream: Lite or fat-free sour cream is a great option for adding creaminess without too many extra calories. A small dollop goes a long way.
  • Chips: Crushed chips or tortilla strips (seasoned or plain) add a nice crunchy contrast to the soup.
  • Ripe avocado or guacamole: A sliced avocado or spoonful of guacamole adds a creamy and rich element to the soup.

QUICK TIP

If you’re trying to keep things dairy free, add a ripe avocado and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for creaminess and flavor. If you want to keep things light, add a small scoop of fat-free sour cream and extra lime juice.

What To Serve With Turkey Vegetable Soup

  • Cheese or Black Bean Quesadillas: A classic and comforting pairing is perfect for this soup.
  • Salad: A simple green Garden Salad with a light Vinaigrette dressing is a refreshing side to balance out the richness of the soup.
  • Roasted vegetables: Roasted Vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts, add a nice contrast of texture and flavor to the soup.
  • Quinoa or rice: A serving of grains, such as quinoa or rice, can help round out the meal and make it more filling.

Overhead view of a bowl of Turkey Vegetable Soup

Turkey Vegetable Soup FAQs

1How many calories in homemade Turkey Vegetable Soup??

This recipe for Turkey Vegetable Soup contains 507 calories, not including optional toppings. That’s not bad for a soup that’s a full meal.

2How do you make Turkey Vegetable Soup?

Here’s a quick overview:

  • Add finely diced onion and pepper to oil, sauté for 5 minutes.
  • Press vegetables to the edges of the pot and add ground turkey to the center.
  • Let turkey sear, then crumble and cook through.
  • Add garlic and seasonings.
  • Cook until turkey is fully cooked and everything is fragrant.
  • Add diced sweet potato and cook.
  • Pour in enchilada sauce and broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low.
  • Cover the pot and simmer until sweet potatoes are fork tender.
  • Stir in drained and rinsed black beans and cook until warmed through.
  • Serve in bowls and add favorite toppings (such as avocado or sour cream).

3What vegetables are good to add to Turkey Vegetable Soup?

This is a veggie-rich soup, and here are some of the main ones we use:

  • Onions: Onions bring a sweet, savory flavor to soup and help to build the base of the broth.
  • Bell peppers: Bell peppers add a sweet, fruity flavor and a pop of color to the soup.
  • Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes lend a creamy texture and a natural sweetness to the soup.

Feel free to use any combination of vegetables that you like in your soup. You can also try adding in some leafy greens, such as kale or spinach, for an extra boost of nutrition. (Stir through at the end.)

4How can I make this soup even better?

If you want to give this Turkey Vegetable Soup a flavor boost, here are a few ideas:

  • Use flavorful broth: Using a high-quality broth or stock as the base of the soup can add a lot of depth and flavor.
  • Don’t be afraid of the spice blend! Adding in the spices brings out the flavors of the vegetables.
  • Experiment with herbs. Fresh herbs like cilantro add a bright, fresh flavor to the soup.
  • Add some acidity: A splash of vinegar or a squeeze of lime juice can add a brightness and balance to the soup.

5What is the most important ingredient in soup?

It’s difficult to say which ingredient is the most important in soup, as it really depends on the specific soup and the flavors you’re trying to achieve. That being said, here are a few ingredients that are often crucial to the success of a soup:

  • Broth or stock: This forms the base of the soup and provides the liquid and flavor for the other ingredients.
  • Aromatics: Onions, garlic, and other aromatic vegetables, such as celery and carrots, are often used as the foundation for many soups and add depth and flavor to the broth.
  • Protein: Adding a source of protein, such as beans, lentils, tofu, or meat, can make the soup more filling and satisfying.
  • Vegetables: The specific vegetables used will depend on the type of soup you’re making, but they often add flavor, texture, and nutrition to the soup.
  • Seasonings: The right blend of spices and herbs can really bring out the flavors of the other ingredients and make the soup more interesting.
  • Acid: A splash of vinegar or a squeeze of lemon/lime juice can add brightness and balance to the soup.

In general, a well-balanced soup will have a combination of these ingredients, each contributing its own flavor and texture to the final dish.

6How do you make vegetable soup less boring?

Boring is a matter of opinion, of course, but vegetable soup can be mighty tasty! Here are a few tips to jazz up your soup:

  • Experiment with different vegetables: Try using a variety of vegetables, each with its own unique flavor and texture, to add interest to the soup.
  • Experiment with herbs: Fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, can add a bright, fresh flavor to the soup.
  • Finish with toppings: A sprinkle of cheese, a ripe avocado, a scoop of sour cream, or a handful of fresh herbs can add a nice finishing touch to the soup.
  • Experiment with different cooking techniques: Roasting the vegetables before adding them to the soup can add depth of flavor.

More Ground Turkey Recipes To Love:

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Turkey Vegetable Soup

5 from 4 votes
Say hello to the most comforting and nourishing soup of the season! Our Turkey Vegetable Soup is packed with all the good stuff -- lean ground turkey, nutrient-rich black beans, a bold and flavorful seasoning blend, and zesty enchilada sauce. This hearty and healthy soup is guaranteed to become a new family favorite and is perfect for a quick and easy dinner on a chilly winter evening. So grab a bowl and let's dig in!
Print Recipe

Turkey Vegetable Soup

5 from 4 votes
Say hello to the most comforting and nourishing soup of the season! Our Turkey Vegetable Soup is packed with all the good stuff -- lean ground turkey, nutrient-rich black beans, a bold and flavorful seasoning blend, and zesty enchilada sauce. This hearty and healthy soup is guaranteed to become a new family favorite and is perfect for a quick and easy dinner on a chilly winter evening. So grab a bowl and let's dig in!
Course Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine American, Healthy
Keyword ground turkey vegetable soup, turkey vegetable soup
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 507kcal
Author Chelsea Lords
Cost $10.67

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1-1/2 cups finely diced yellow onion (1 large)
  • 1 finely diced red pepper
  • 3 cups peeled and diced sweet potato cubes (~1 lb; 1-2 large)
  • 1 pound lean (93/7) ground turkey
  • 4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
  • 1 tablespoon ground chili powder (Note 1)
  • 1 teaspoon each: ground cumin and paprika paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon each: onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and beef bouillon powder
  • Fine sea salt & pepper
  • 1 can (10 oz.) mild red enchilada sauce (Note 1)
  • 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups chicken broth or stock
  • Pick a few toppings: ripe avocado, sour cream, cheese

Instructions

  • VEGGIES AND GROUND TURKEY: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add finely diced onion and pepper and sauté for 4-5 minutes. Press the vegetables to the edges of the pot and add ground turkey to the center. Let it sear, and then use a wooden spoon to crumble and cook it through.
  • SEASONINGS: Once the turkey is mostly cooked, add the garlic and seasonings. Season to taste with salt & pepper (I add 1 tsp of salt & 1/2 tsp of pepper). Continue cooking until the turkey is fully cooked and everything is fragrant, about 3-4 more minutes.
  • SIMMER: Next, add the diced sweet potato and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Pour in the enchilada sauce and broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer until the sweet potatoes are fork tender, about 15 minutes (stir every 5 minutes and promptly replace the lid). Once the potatoes are cooked, stir in the drained and rinsed black beans and cook briefly to warm them through.
  • FINISHING: Add in cilantro and lime juice, if using. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your preference. If you want more liquid, you can add a splash more broth.
  • SERVE: To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and add your favorite toppings. We love a ripe avocado or a dollop of sour cream.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Enchilada sauce: We recommend using Old El Paso® mild sauce for a touch of heat. If you prefer more heat, you can use a hotter sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 507kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 1440mg | Potassium: 1204mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 16850IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 6mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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