Hearty Ground Turkey & Rice Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of ground turkey and rice soup that warms you from the inside out.

Cold winter nights call for this nourishing meal packed with tender meat and fluffy grains.

Every spoonful delivers rich, savory flavors that dance across your palate.

The recipe blends simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying dish anyone can master.

Protein-rich ground turkey provides a lean foundation for this hearty soup.

Soft rice absorbs the delicious broth, creating a perfect balance of textures.

This soup promises to become a weeknight favorite that fills bellies and lifts spirits with its wholesome goodness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need For Ground Turkey And Rice Soup

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein that adds hearty texture and rich flavor to the soup, choose fresh, organic meat for best taste.
• Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid foundation of the soup, select low-sodium varieties for better control of salt content.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup trio that builds deep, robust flavor profile and provides essential nutrients.
• Garlic: Powerful aromatic that enhances overall taste, opt for fresh cloves for maximum pungency.
• Spinach or Kale: Nutrient-packed leafy greens that add vibrant color and boost nutritional value.

• Rice: Provides comforting texture and makes soup more filling, use long-grain white rice for consistent cooking.
• Thyme, Oregano, Paprika: Herbs and spices that create complex, warm flavor dimensions.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning that balances and elevates other ingredients.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and adds subtle richness.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, tangy element that brings freshness and cuts through richness.
• Diced Tomatoes: Optional ingredient that adds subtle acidity and extra depth.

Soup-Making Tools For Ground Turkey And Rice Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking ground turkey, sautéing vegetables, and simmering soup.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for breaking up turkey and stirring ingredients while cooking.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, carrots, celery, and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helpful for accurately measuring broth, rice, and seasonings.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving soup into bowls smoothly and evenly.

Steps To Prepare Ground Turkey And Rice Soup

• Brown the Protein

Sizzle ground turkey in a roomy pot, breaking it into delicious crumbles until perfectly golden and cooked through. Drain away any lingering fat for a cleaner, lighter meal.

• Wake Up the Vegetables

Toss chopped onions, carrots, and celery into the pot, letting them dance and soften. Sprinkle minced garlic and let its aroma fill the kitchen, creating a tantalizing base for your soup.

• Build Flavor Layers

Pour in broth and splash of tomatoes, stirring in herbs and seasonings. This is where the magic happens – each ingredient whispers its own delicious story into the liquid.

• Gentle Simmer and Transform

Let everything bubble quietly, transforming ingredients into a harmonious blend. Rice will become tender, absorbing all the rich, savory flavors surrounding it.

• Final Flourish

Slide leafy greens into the soup, letting them wilt and add vibrant color. A squeeze of bright lemon juice lifts the entire dish, making every spoonful sing with freshness.

• Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls, ready to comfort and nourish whoever is lucky enough to enjoy this hearty creation.

Flavor Boosting Tips For Ground Turkey And Rice Soup

• Ground Turkey Rice Soup: Cooking Tips & Variations
• Lean Protein Boost: Swap ground turkey for chicken or lean ground beef to match your protein preference and keep the dish nutritionally balanced.
• Rice Texture Perfection: Rinse rice before adding to prevent clumping and ensure separate, fluffy grains in your soup. Choose long-grain white rice or try brown rice for extra fiber.
• Meal Prep Magic: This soup freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently, adding a splash of broth to restore moisture.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Confirm your broth is gluten-free and use rice as the base to make this recipe safe for gluten-sensitive diets. Quinoa works great as an alternative grain.
• Veggie Power-Up: Expand vegetable variety by adding zucchini, bell peppers, or sweet potatoes for extra nutrition and flavor complexity. Roast vegetables beforehand for deeper taste profile.

Serving Suggestions For Ground Turkey And Rice Soup

• Cozy Family Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty soup with warm crusty bread to soak up all the delicious broth and add a satisfying crunch.
• Protein Power-Up: Top with crumbled feta cheese or a dollop of Greek yogurt to increase protein content and add a creamy tangy flavor profile.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, chives, or dill on top just before serving to brighten the soup's flavors and add a beautiful green color contrast.
• Spice Level Boost: Drizzle hot sauce or add red pepper flakes for those who enjoy a little extra heat and want to customize their bowl of comfort.

Storing Ground Turkey And Rice Soup The Right Way

• Fridge Fresh Technique: Store soup in airtight containers, keeping it refrigerated for 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
• Quick Freeze Strategy: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 2-3 months for later enjoyment.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then warm gently on stovetop. Add splash of broth to restore original consistency and prevent rice from becoming mushy.
• Portion Control Hack: Divide soup into individual serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Label with date and contents to track freshness and minimize food waste.

Hearty Ground Turkey And Rice Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty ground turkey and rice soup delivers comfort in a bowl, showcasing simple ingredients. Warm spices and tender vegetables create a nourishing meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (453.6 g) ground turkey
• 6 cups (1.4 L) chicken broth or turkey broth
• ½ cup (95 g) white or brown rice
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 oz / 411 g) can diced tomatoes (optional)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup (30 g) spinach or kale, chopped (optional)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice (for freshness)

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Instructions

1. Protein Preparation: Sear ground turkey in a large skillet over medium heat, methodically crumbling and browning the meat to release excess fat and develop deep flavor.
2. Aromatic Vegetable Foundation: Swiftly introduce finely chopped onions, carrots, and celery into the turkey-laden pan, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their essential oils.
3. Flavor Amplification: Immediately add minced garlic, stirring rapidly to distribute its pungent essence without risking bitter scorching, then pour in broth and diced tomatoes to create a robust liquid base.
4. Seasoning Integration: Generously sprinkle thyme, oregano, and paprika across the simmering mixture, balancing the herbs with precise salt and pepper measurements to enhance the overall flavor complexity.
5. Rice Absorption: Delicately fold uncooked rice into the liquid, allowing the grains to slowly absorb the surrounding flavors and cooking liquids while maintaining their structural integrity.
6. Simmering Process: Reduce heat and cover, letting the soup gently simmer for approximately 20 minutes, periodically checking liquid levels and stirring to prevent potential scorching.
7. Final Touches: During the last few minutes of cooking, dramatically introduce chopped spinach or kale, allowing the greens to wilt and integrate seamlessly while finishing with a bright splash of lemon juice to cut through the soup’s richness.
8. Serving Presentation: Remove from heat, let rest briefly, then ladle the steaming, nutrient-dense soup into waiting bowls, ready to be enjoyed immediately.

Notes

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose lean ground turkey (93/7 or 99% fat-free) for a healthier soup with reduced greasiness and cleaner flavor profile.
• Rice Cooking Technique: Use long-grain white rice or quick-cooking varieties to prevent mushiness and maintain ideal texture during extended simmering.
• Herb Optimization: Fresh herbs provide more vibrant flavor compared to dried; if using dried, reduce quantity by two-thirds and add early in cooking process.
• Liquid Balance Control: Keep extra broth nearby to adjust soup consistency – different rice types absorb liquid differently, potentially requiring additional liquid during simmering.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg