This greens and beans turkey soup is a hearty and comforting recipe, which uses a leftover turkey carcass and great northern beans. It’s a diabetic‑friendly soup choice with high protein and fiber, made in about 2 ½ hours.
Greens and Beans Turkey Soup Ingredients
- 1 leftover turkey carcass (from a 12‑pound turkey)
- 9 cups water
- 2 celery ribs, cut into ½‑inch pieces
- 1 medium onion, cut into chunks
- 1 can (15‑1/2 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 3 tablespoons chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
How To Make Greens and Beans Turkey Soup
- Make the broth: Place the turkey carcass in a stockpot with water, celery, and onion. Slowly bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours.
- Prepare turkey meat: Remove the carcass and cool slightly. Strain the broth through a cheesecloth‑lined colander, discard the vegetables. Skim off fat. Remove meat from bones, discard bones; cut meat into bite‑sized pieces and return broth + meat to the pot.
- Add beans and greens: Stir in the beans, spinach, chopped onion, bouillon, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer finish: Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Recipe Tips
- Can I use chicken instead of turkey carcass? Yes — a roasted chicken carcass works similarly for flavor.
- How to reduce sodium? Use low‑sodium bouillon or broth, omit added salt, and rinse beans well.
- Can I add more vegetables? Yes — try adding diced carrots, chopped kale or Swiss chard for extra nutrients.
- How to thicken it? Mash a portion of the beans and stir back in to naturally thicken the soup.
- Can I freeze this soup? Yes — once fully cooled, portion into freezer‑safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
What To Serve With Greens and Beans Turkey Soup
This light yet hearty soup pairs nicely with:
- A slice of whole‑grain bread or a whole‑grain roll
- A crisp side salad with vinaigrette
- Steamed green vegetables like broccoli or green beans
- A small portion of brown rice or quinoa for extra fiber
How To Store Greens and Beans Turkey Soup
- Refrigerate: Let the soup cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Cool fully, portion into freezer‑safe containers or zip bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat over low heat.
Nutrition Facts
1 cup:
- 105 calories
- 2g fat (0g saturated fat)
- 22mg cholesterol
- 568mg sodium
- 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber)
- 10g protein.
FAQs
Can I make this soup without a turkey carcass?
Yes, You can use a large ham bone or leftover cooked turkey pieces; just adjust simmer time accordingly.
Is this soup good for someone with diabetes?
Yes, It offers lean protein, fiber from beans and greens, and moderate carbohydrate content, making it a good option for many diabetic‑friendly meal plans when portioned appropriately.
How do I keep the beans from getting mushy?
Rinse and drain the beans before adding, and add them toward the end of the cook time to maintain texture.
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh baby spinach; add it in the last few minutes of cooking so it wilts but retains texture.
What if I don’t have bouillon granules?
Use a low‑sodium turkey or chicken stock instead and skip the granules; adjust seasoning with herbs and spices.
Try More Recipes:
Greens and Beans Turkey Soup
Description
A warming, fiber‑rich soup made from turkey carcass, white beans and greens—an ideal diabetic‑friendly dinner that uses up leftovers.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place turkey carcass, water, celery and onion in a stockpot. Bring slowly to boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 2 hours.
- Remove carcass, cool slightly; strain broth, discard vegetables, skim fat, remove meat from bones and cut into pieces. Return meat + broth to pot.
- Add beans, spinach, chopped onion, bouillon, salt and pepper. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 10 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- This soup uses leftover turkey carcass to build a rich broth, then layers in beans and greens for fiber and plant‑based nutrition. Its lean protein to carb/fiber ratio makes it especially friendly for diabetic‑aware meal planning.
