Freeze-Dried Turkey Noodle Soup Recipe

Leftover turkey has a short shelf life in the fridge, but freeze-drying it as a finished soup extends that window to years instead of days — and turns a pile of leftovers into a meal you'll actually look forward to.

Mom's Turkey Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 cartons turkey broth (32 oz. each)
• 24 oz. package frozen egg noodles, thawed and boiled for about 20 minutes
• 2 lbs. leftover cooked turkey
• 3 cups chopped carrots
• 3 cups chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 packets dry Italian dressing seasoning
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• ½ cup (1 cube) butter
• 2 cups heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring the turkey broth to a boil in a 2-gallon pot.
2. Add the noodles, turkey, carrots, celery, onion, and Italian dressing seasoning.
3. Simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Let the soup cool slightly, then whisk the cream of chicken soup and heavy cream together in a separate bowl.
5. Stir the cream mixture and butter into the soup until fully combined and creamy.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Freeze-Drying and Storing

Let the soup cool completely, then freeze-dry on trays and store in an airtight mylar bag with an oxygen absorber. To serve, add hot water gradually and stir until the soup returns to its original consistency.

More Ways to Use Leftover Turkey

Freeze-drying a full turkey dinner: what we learned covers freeze-drying the rest of the Thanksgiving plate, not just the soup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can turkey noodle soup be freeze-dried?
Yes — cook the soup fully, let it cool completely, then freeze-dry on trays and store in an airtight mylar bag with an oxygen absorber.

How do you rehydrate freeze-dried turkey noodle soup?
Add hot water gradually, stirring as you go, until the soup returns to its original consistency.

What's a good way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey?
Turning it into a full pot of turkey noodle soup and freeze-drying the finished batch is an easy way to stretch leftovers well past their usual fridge life.