Southwestern Turkey Soup (Printable)

A warming Tex-Mex style soup featuring tender turkey, black beans, corn, and zesty spices.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup frozen or canned corn kernels, drained
06 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
08 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
09 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced, optional
10 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste

→ Liquids

11 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices and Seasonings

13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
15 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
17 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
18 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
19 - Juice of 1 lime
20 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Optional Garnishes

21 - Sliced avocado
22 - Crumbled tortilla chips
23 - Shredded cheese
24 - Sour cream

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and red bell pepper; sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and jalapeño if using; cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir for 1 minute to toast the spices.
03 - Mix in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, diced tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, corn, and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in turkey and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro and desired toppings such as avocado, tortilla chips, cheese, or sour cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms leftover turkey into something completely new and exciting
  • The spice blend hits that perfect balance between warming comfort and bright freshness
  • Everything comes together in one pot in under 45 minutes
02 -
  • Letting the spices toast in the oil for that minute makes a huge difference in depth
  • The soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop
03 -
  • Cook the turkey from the Thanksgiving leftovers makes this taste even more special
  • A splash of hot sauce in each bowl lets people customize their own heat level
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