6 Ways To Fix Your Bland Turkey Soup (And Make It Delicious!)

how to fix turkey soup

Turkey soup is a classic dish, but you can make it even more delicious with just a few simple tweaks.

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I’m going to share my favorite ways to fix bland turkey soup, as well as some tips on how to make sure your turkey stock is rich and flavorful every time!

What is turkey soup?

Turkey soup is a soup made with turkey, vegetables, and broth.

It is usually made with leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey.

This dish is great for anyone who doesn’t want to waste the leftover turkey from their holiday meal.

Also, it’s a great way to get more vegetables into your diet!

Why is my turkey soup bland?

If you’re having trouble getting your turkey soup to taste good, it’s likely because of one or more of these reasons:

  • You’ve added too much water: If your broth is too thin and watery, the seasoning is not enough to add flavor to your soup.

Moreover, the consistency of the soup is also not as expected.

  • Your turkey was overcooked: Overcooked meat tends to lose its natural sweetness.

This will also affect the taste of your turkey soup.

  • You underseasoned the soup: Underseasoning is a common issue when cooking, along with overseasoning.

If your soup is overseasoned, it is too salty, which makes it hard to eat.

Meanwhile, an underseasoned soup is also not appealing or delicious neither.

  • You have used low-quality ingredients: If you have used low-quality ingredients in your turkey soup, it will affect the flavor of your dish.

For instance, if you have used a cheap brand of chicken broth or water instead of homemade broth, it will not taste as good as expected.

6 ways to fix bland turkey soup

Don’t panic if your turkey soup comes up bland and no different from water.

Here are some simple tips that will help you fix your flat turkey soup in no time:

Add salt

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The first step to making your soup taste better is to add salt.

Salt is the most important ingredient in any soup, and properly seasoned food is the hallmark of a great cook.

It’s true that you can always add more later, but adding too little at first will leave your soup bland and unexciting.

To be clear: this isn’t about oversalting, which definitely happens (and has happened to me).

You don’t have to worry about that here; I’m talking about under-salting.

If you’re unsure how much salt to add, start small with just a pinch or two (or even less) per quart of liquid and taste as you go along until it tastes good enough for you!

Add broth

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Consider adding broth for a simple, flavorful addition to your turkey soup.

This can be as simple as using the carcass of your turkey after it’s been roasted and shredded or even just water in place of some of the water called for in your recipe.

The broth is an excellent way to add depth and complexity to any dish with minimal effort, so try substituting some broth for some of your water when making turkey soup next time around.

Add tomato sauce

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If you find your turkey soup bland, adding tomato sauce is the best way to fix the flavor.

If you have some on hand, go ahead and use it in place of broth or water.

It’s not an exact science; just add as much as feels right to get a good taste.

If you don’t have tomato sauce on hand but have milk, try using that instead of water—this works well in any recipe where tomatoes are used (tomato sauce, for example).

Add spices and herbs

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First, let’s talk about herbs and spices.

You can use any you like, but remember that most herbs and spices are compatible with turkey soup if they have a more herbaceous flavor.

Popular choices include thyme, oregano, basil, marjoram (aka sweet basil), sage, and parsley.

If you want to make your soup more spicy or hot tasting, add cayenne pepper or ground pepper flakes to the pot along with your other ingredients.

Add wine

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Once you’ve added the turkey stock and veggies to your pot, you’ll want to add some wine.

Red wine is best for this purpose because of its acidity and sweetness, but you can use white wine instead if you don’t have any red on hand.

The alcohol content should be controlled, so just use a splash of wine for your soup.

Add fragrant vegetables

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Fragrant vegetables are those that have a strong aroma and flavor.

These include onions, leeks, garlic, carrots, and shallots.

Chop them up into large pieces so that they release more of their juices when you cook them in the pot.

Add herbs at the end when your soup has simmered for about an hour, and add your fresh herbs to give it extra flavor.

This step is optional, but it’s certainly worth doing if you want tasty soup.

If you have already done cooking and want to add more vegetables for extra flavor, it is best to remove the meat beforehand to prevent overcooking it.

Conclusion

So, there you have it.

These are some of the best ways to make your turkey soup more flavorful if you, unfortunately, make a bland one.

If none of these suggestions work for you, then perhaps it’s time for something new or different!