These easy ground turkey soup recipes turn one budget-friendly pound of ground turkey into a cozy family dinner. From chili and taco soup to lasagna soup and veggie packed favorites, there’s a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop option for every busy night.
As soon as the weather cools off, soup goes into our weekly rotation, and ground turkey is one of our favorite ways to keep it affordable. It’s lean, it’s usually budget-friendly, and when it’s seasoned well, my kids can’t tell it’s not ground beef. These are the ground turkey soups we come back to most, plus a few of our family-favorite beef soups that work just as well with turkey.
Why We Love These Recipes
- They stretch one pound of meat. Beans, potatoes, pasta, and veggies turn a single pound of ground turkey into a pot of soup that feeds the whole family.
- Kid-tested swaps. We make our favorite chili and lasagna soup with lean ground turkey, and my family can’t tell the difference.
- Pick your method. Every recipe here works on the stovetop, in the crock pot, or in the Instant Pot, so you can match dinner to your day.
- Freezer-friendly. Most of the soups freeze beautifully, so one batch can cover a second dinner or a week of lunches.
How to Swap Ground Turkey into Any Beef Soup
Ground turkey can stand in for ground beef in almost any soup, but it cooks a little differently. These simple tricks keep it juicy and full of flavor.
- Use the same amount. Swap one pound of ground beef for one pound of ground turkey.
- Pick 93% lean if you can. It has enough fat to stay juicy. If you use 99% lean, add a tablespoon of oil to the pan.
- Always brown it first, even for crock pot soups. Let it sit in the hot pan for a few minutes before breaking it up so it gets golden, not gray.
- Season it a little more. Turkey is milder than beef, so add an extra pinch of salt, and a little extra of the soup’s main seasoning (chili powder, Italian seasoning, or taco seasoning).
- Add a savory boost. A splash of Worcestershire sauce or a spoonful of tomato paste stirred in while browning gives turkey a deeper, beefier flavor.
- Don’t overcook it on the stove. Once it’s browned, it only needs to simmer long enough for the soup to come together.
Soups Made with Ground Turkey
1. Turkey Chili Recipe
We love to cook with ground turkey because it is not only healthier for you, but it is much cheaper too. The ground turkey takes on the flavor of all the other ingredients and makes a delicious chili recipe.
2. Turkey Sweet Potato Chili
Once the weather gets cooler or we have some rainy days, this Turkey Sweet Potato Chili is a must in our house. The black beans paired with the sweet potatoes make this chili so delicious. We have even added in spinach and kale for added flavor.
3. Crock Pot Turkey Chili Recipe
We love to serve this bowl of chili for a delicious variation. The ground turkey cooks tender and which makes it a flavorful soup. This is a delicious gluten-free option.
4. White Bean Turkey Chili
Ground turkey, white beans, sweet corn, and mild green chiles simmer together in a creamy chicken broth for a cozy chili that’s lighter than the classic red version. It’s on the table in about an hour for about $2.94 a serving. Top it with sour cream, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Family Favorites That Work Great with Ground Turkey
5. Crock Pot Taco Chili
This Crock Pot Taco Chili can be made with ground beef or ground turkey. You can even mix the two to make the best taco chili. Serve topped with slice avocados for a healthy soup recipe.
6. Crock Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
This crockpot stuffed peppers soup recipe is a quick and filling dinner. If you like the traditional stuffed peppers recipe, but don’t want to do all the work, then this recipe is for you. Use brown rice or white to top the broth based soup. We like to mix in some green beans for added flavor.
7. Crock Pot Black Bean Cilantro Soup
This recipe is so easy and you just toss all the ingredients in the crockpot. Dinner is a breeze with this easy soup.
8. Easy Crock Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
Easy Crock Pot Lasagna Soup is so easy to make. Mix in your ground turkey with all the Italian seasoning flavors for an easy lasagna soup.
9. Crock Pot Original Taco Soup Recipe
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this delicious soup. It is super easy and can be thrown together in minutes as you get ready to walk out the door. Use ground turkey instead of ground beef to amazing flavor.
10. Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
My family loves soup especially in the Fall and Winter when it’s chilly outside and I love making them in the crock pot because they’re easy to make. Mix in ground turkey with the other remaining ingredients for a delicious soup.
11. Pasta Fagioli
This copycat Pasta Fagioli is loaded with beans, tomatoes, and little pasta in a savory broth. Ground turkey works perfectly in place of the beef, and it’s an easy way to make a restaurant favorite at home for a fraction of the price.
12. Crock Pot Pumpkin Chili
A can of pumpkin puree is the secret to this thick, hearty chili. It adds a subtle hint of sweetness that most people can’t quite place, and it stretches the beans and meat a little further. Toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning, and dinner’s ready when you get home.
How to Freeze Soup
We love to freeze our leftover soup. If you are new to the idea of freezer cooking, then this is the perfect idea for you. It is so simple.
Next time you have soup for dinner, make extra. Then after you are done eating your delicious soup, save those left overs.
We give all the tips and tricks on How to Freeze Soup. Making homemade soup taste so much better than the canned soup and it is better for you.
What to Serve with Ground Turkey Soup
There are many different sides to serve with Ground Turkey Soup. Here are some of our favorites.
- Homemade Garlic Bread
- Grilled Cheese
- Crackers and Cheese
- Homemade White Rice
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for the best results. Browning adds flavor and lets you drain any fat. It’s especially important for crock pot soups, since raw ground turkey cooked in liquid can turn crumbly and bland.
For stovetop soups, you can brown it straight from frozen and break it up as it thaws in the pan. For the slow cooker, thaw it first in the fridge first and brown bit before adding.
93% lean is a great middle ground. It has enough fat to stay juicy but not so much that the soup gets greasy. If you use 99% lean, add a tablespoon of oil when browning and season a little more.
These 12 easy ground turkey soup recipes keep your family warm and full all season long. Pick one or two for this week, make a double batch, and stock your freezer for a busy night. Let me know in the comments which one becomes your family’s new favorite.
