Southwestern Turkey Soup (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty Tex-Mex turkey soup with black beans, corn, and 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
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
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 Make:

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; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir for 1 minute to release flavors.
04 - Mix in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with 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 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 top with additional cilantro and desired toppings such as avocado, tortilla chips, cheese, or sour cream.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It turns leftover turkey into something that tastes completely fresh and vibrant.
  • The lime juice adds a bright pop that cuts through the rich spices perfectly.
02 -
  • Toasting the spices in the oil before adding any liquid makes the final flavor much more intense and complex.
  • Waiting until the very end to stir in the fresh cilantro preserves its bright green color and herbal notes.
03 -
  • Squeeze the lime juice directly into the individual bowls rather than the pot if you plan on freezing portions.
  • Crumble your tortilla chips at the bottom of the bowl so they stay slightly crunchy while soaking up the broth.
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