Leftover Turkey & Wild Rice Soup

Blog by Callie Birtles, RHN in The Clear Skin Solution + Recipe by Katie Stewart

Canadian Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and what’s better than Thanksgiving dinner? The delicious leftovers that follow for days after! This year, we want to help you make the most of those leftovers—so you’ll know exactly what to do with that extra turkey and all the fixings on a budget.

Enter our Turkey and Wild Rice Soup! This incredibly tasty and nutritious recipe makes full use of the leftover turkey bones and meat that didn’t get gobbled up on the big day. Not only does this soup bring cozy, post-holiday vibes to your meals, but it’s also packed with skin-loving nutrients—making it a perfect addition to your clear-skin routine.

Let’s dive into why this recipe is a win-win for both your skin and your wallet—and how you can transform leftover turkey into a nourishing soup that’ll keep your skin glowing long after the holidays.

A Win-Win for Your Skin and Wallet

There’s something incredibly satisfying about repurposing leftovers, especially when it helps you save money and reduce food waste. Here’s how our Turkey and Wild Rice Soup makes the most of your Thanksgiving feast while nourishing your skin:

• Use up leftover turkey meat: Even if it doesn’t look picture-perfect on a plate, it still has plenty of flavour and nutrients.
• Bone broth: Don’t toss those bones! Turn them into a rich, collagen-packed broth. Like a spa day from the inside out, collagen boosts elasticity, heals scars, and supports overall skin vitality.
• Stretch your holiday meals: Get extra meals out of your turkey and reap the rewards for your skin.
• Fridge clean-out: Use up leftover vegetables and herbs from your holiday meal for added nutrition and flavour.

Wild Rice: The Perfect Carb for Clear Skin

With all the holiday indulgence, keeping blood sugar levels stable is key to maintaining clear skin. Enter wild rice: a complex carbohydrate that won’t cause blood sugar spikes. Stabilizing blood sugar helps prevent the hormonal fluctuations that can lead to breakouts. Wild rice is also high in fibre, supporting digestion and helping your body eliminate toxins more efficiently—another essential factor in reducing acne.

You can think of wild rice as the grounding force in your meal, balancing out the richness of Thanksgiving foods and helping to keep your skin in check.

Herbs That Heal: A Natural Defence Team for Your Skin

These holiday herbs aren’t just for flavour; they each bring their own skin-boosting benefits:

Rosemary

Contains antimicrobial properties that help combat acne-causing bacteria, reducing breakouts.

Sage

Traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, sage helps protect the skin from oxidative stress, free radical damage, and supports overall skin health by fighting bacterial and viral infections that can contribute to breakouts.

Thyme

Widely used as an alternative therapy for upper respiratory infections, thyme has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Its ability to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria makes it a valuable ally in supporting skin health and preventing infections that can lead to breakouts.

Together, these herbs act as your skin’s natural defence team, working behind the scenes to fight inflammation and promote a clear complexion. Got some leftover parsley or oregano hanging around? Feel free to swap those in for even more flavour and benefits.

Ready to turn those Thanksgiving leftovers into a skin-nourishing meal? Check out the recipe below, grab your leftover turkey and bones, and let’s get cooking. Your skin—and your budget—will thank you!

Turkey & Wild Rice Soup

Make the most out of your Thanksgiving leftovers this year with this easy & skin-friendly Turkey & Wild Rice Soup!

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Ingredients

• 2 tbsp avocado oil (for cooking)
• 5 cups bone broth
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 2 cups cooked turkey (chopped)
• 1 cup wild rice (cooked & set aside)
• 1 cup carrots (chopped and halved)
• 1 cup celery (thinly sliced)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 1 cup kale (chopped)
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1½ tbsp arrowroot starch
• 1 sprig thyme (chopped)
• 1 tbsp fresh sage (chopped)
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

• Cook the Wild Rice: Prepare the wild rice according to package instructions. Once cooked, set it aside to ladle into the soup later.
• Prep the Vegetables and Herbs: Dice the onion, chop the carrots, celery, and kale. Also, chop the thyme, sage, and rosemary.
• Sauté the Onion: Heat 2 tbsp of avocado oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
• Add Garlic and Herbs: Stir in the garlic, thyme, sage, and rosemary. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add Carrots and Celery: Toss in the chopped carrots and celery. Sauté for 3 minutes to soften slightly.
• Incorporate Arrowroot Starch: Sprinkle the arrowroot starch over the vegetables, stirring well to coat and thicken the mixture.
• Add Broth and Bay Leaves: Pour in the bone broth and add the bay leaves. Stir and bring the soup to a gentle boil.
• Add Turkey: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir in the cooked turkey and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes to blend the flavors.
• Add Coconut Milk and Lemon Juice: Stir in the coconut milk and lemon juice for creaminess and brightness.
• Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
• Serve and Enjoy: To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and add the cooked wild rice just before serving to prevent it from expanding too much in the soup. Garnish with fresh kale if desired, and enjoy your nourishing soup!

Notes

• Setting aside the rice after cooking keeps it fresh and doesn't soak up too much liquid in the soup!