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Turkey Rice Soup Recipe – Oma's Puten-Reis Suppe

Oma Gerhild

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares German recipes rooted in family tradition.

Updated: March 15, 2026

Easy Turkey Rice or Barley Soup made from your leftover turkey carcass.Easy Turkey Rice or Barley Soup made from your leftover turkey carcass. This is such a warming meal that would be perfect for a cold winter's night. Perhaps some artisan bread on the side?

Making this turkey rice soup recipe, aka Puten-Reis Suppe, is so easy and economical when you have a turkey carcass.

It's a homemade soup will satisfy even those who think they've had enough turkey after the holiday bird has been demolished. You can make this soup thick or broth-y. 

Add whatever vegetables you have in the fridge. Have some extra turkey gravy? Add it as well. Turkey Rice Soup ... any which way you like!

How to Deal With That Turkey Carcass:

Don't toss that carcass. Make dinner instead!

Need a quick way to clean up after that turkey dinner? Especially after a party, I don't like dealing with the leftover turkey carcass. That's where the slow cooker comes in. I can set it and forget it. Here's what to do:

  • Quickly remove large pieces of turkey meat into plastic bags and refrigerate.
  • Put carcass into slow cooker.
  • Cover with water.
  • Add about 1 teaspoon salt and some pepper.
  • If time, add onion, carrots, and celery.
  • Cover and put on "low".
  • Leave at least 12 hours, or overnight, and use broth as below.

 I once left the turkey carcass in the slow cooker for 48 hours. The bones fell apart! The broth was the richest tasting broth ever and made the BEST turkey rice soup recipe! Wunderbar!

Leftover turkey soup? Add a can of diced tomatoes when reheating and re-season. A completely "new" soup that doesn't taste like leftovers.

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How to Cook Barley ...

I'm frequently asked how to use barley in cooking. Below, I find this a simple way to include barley in soups. It cooks quicker than rice, but provides the starch component that makes this soup so filling. 

Nothing fancy is used. Open bag, measure, and add. Simmer. Enjoy!

Ready to make this turkey rice soup?

Spring Fresh Collection
Spring Fresh Collection

Turkey Rice Soup Recipe – Oma's Puten-Reis Suppe

Making this turkey rice soup recipe, aka Puten-Reis Suppe, is so easy and economical when you have a turkey carcass.

It's a homemade soup will satisfy even those who think they've had enough turkey after the holiday bird has been demolished. You can make this soup thick or broth-y. 

Prep Time:

30 minutes

Cook Time:

1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time:

2 hours

Servings:

Makes 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 turkey carcass
  • 1 onion, coarsely chopped
  • 3 - 4 carrots, peeled & cut into chunks
  • 2 - 3 celery ribs, cut into chunks
  • 1 tablespoon (9 grams) VEGETA food seasoning (see Oma’s Hints)
  • 1 cup (190 grams) long grain rice, white or brown
  • 2 cups (500 grams) chopped assorted vegetables
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • MAGGI liquid seasoning, to taste
  • chopped fresh parsley, to garnish

Instructions:

  1. Break the turkey carcass apart and place it, along with the skin and pan drippings, into a large soup pot and cover with water.
  2. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and VEGETA. Bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer at least 1 hour.
  4. Strain the broth into another large pot or bowl, using a sieve to catch all the little bones and stuff. Skim off any fat.
  5. Measure 8 cups (1.9 liters) of the strained broth and pour it into a large soup pot. If you don’t have enough broth, add water to make up the difference. (You can dissolve some chicken bouillon in the water, if desired.)
  6. Add the rice and assorted vegetables and bring to a boil.
  7. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes for white rice, or 45 minutes for brown rice.
  8. While the soup is cooking, remove any meat from the bones and add it to the soup.
  9. Season with salt, pepper, and MAGGI.
  10. Sprinkle with parsley to serve.

Notes/Hints:

  • Cut into chunks and add about 2 cups assorted vegetables such as: carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.
  • Add 1 to 2 tablespoons dried parsley to soup.
  • If you like a broth-y soup, add only about ¾ cup rice. OR, you can thin the finished soup with extra chicken broth.
  • This soup will thicken once it cools. You will need to be careful when reheating - stir constantly and/or add extra broth or water. You can also add a can of diced tomatoes as shown above, to the leftover soup. It will thin the soup and give another "turkey rice soup recipe" that's different from the original recipe for turkey soup.
  • If you have leftover turkey meat, you can add it to the soup as well.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Updated: March 15, 2026

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Easy Turkey Rice or Barley Soup made from your leftover turkey carcass.

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