Southwestern Turkey Soup (Printable View)

Hearty Tex-Mex style soup with 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 if canned
06 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
08 - 1 can (14.5 oz) 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 & 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, adjust to taste
18 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
19 - Juice of 1 lime
20 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish

→ Optional Garnishes

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

# How To Make It:

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.
03 - Add cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir for 1 minute to toast and activate the spices.
04 - Mix in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with their juices, diced tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, corn, and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil.
06 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in the cooked turkey. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with additional fresh cilantro and desired toppings such as avocado, tortilla chips, cheese, or sour cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms boring leftover turkey into something that feels entirely fresh and intentional.
  • The prep is fast enough that you can actually relax while it simmers on the stove.
02 -
  • I once forgot to drain the beans and the soup turned a muddy gray color that was totally unappetizing.
  • Toasting the tomato paste until it turns a deep brick red creates a depth you just cannot get otherwise.
03 -
  • Always taste the broth right before serving because the beans and turkey can soak up a lot of the salt.
  • A dollop of sour cream stirred in at the end makes the broth feel luxurious and velvety.
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