Recipes & Food Styling

Who else thinks the best part of the Thanksgiving meal is the turkey frame soup?

Approximately 320 million pounds of food is wasted on Thanksgiving in the United States, which is worth about $550 million. Turkey frame soup is a great way to ensure not a scrap of meat goes to waste.

Been wanting to try Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats smoked turkey ever since Beth Flory told me about them, so roasted one yesterday while the snow fell. Not for everyone, and don’t think I will order again, but if you like ham you might like a smoked turkey! The best part: Smoked turkey makes amazing turkey frame soup!

Smoked Turkey Frame Soup

1 smoked turkey frame (recipe is based on 18-pound turkey)

8 cups water

4 Tablespoons dried basil and other seasonings

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon pink Himalayan sea salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground peppercorns

1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced

2 cups turkey meat, chopped

2 cups wild rice, cooked

2 cups carrots, chopped

2 cups celery, chopped

1 red bell pepper, cleaned and chopped

1 cup red onion, chopped

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

2 cups fresh or canned tomatoes, chopped

2 bunches fresh parsley or cilantro

In a stock pot over the stovetop, bring turkey frame to boil in water with seasonings and bay leaves; then reduce heat and simmer for 90 minutes.

Remove frame and strain broth. When frame is cool enough to do so, pull meat from bones.

Place remaining ingredients in broth and cook for 30 minutes.