Essential Turkey Broth

From EatingWell: The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004)

Once you have stripped off any leftover turkey meat for sandwiches and casseroles, turn the carcass into a broth for soup, such as Turkey-Barley Soup.

Makes: About 3 quarts

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 3 1/2 hours

Nutrition Profile

Gluten free |

View Our Nutrition Guidelines »

Ingredients

Carcass and wings from 1 roasted turkey
4 quarts coldwater
1 large onion, or 2 medium, peeled and cut into chunks
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
2 stalks celery with leaves, cut into chunks
2 medium leeks, trimmed, washed (see Tip) and cut into chunks
1 medium tomato, cut into chunks
1 head garlic, cloves separated and peeled
6 sprigs fresh parsley
6 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Try this recipe with:

Turkey-Barley Soup

Preparation

Cut or break turkey carcass into 3 or 4 pieces. Place carcass pieces and wings in a stockpot. Cover with water and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low. Skim froth. Add remaining ingredients, return to a simmer and skim again. Cook, uncovered, at a bare simmer, skimming occasionally, until broth is well flavored, about 3 hours.
Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove large pieces of carcass and wings from pot. Strain broth into a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Skim off any fat that solidifies on the surface.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Tip: To clean leeks: Trim off fuzzy root and dark green stems. With a sharp knife, cut several incisions in the leek's stem end to open it up like a fan. Soak in water for several minutes, then swish to dislodge dirt. Repeat until no grit remains.

Nutrition

Per serving: 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 0 g protein; 0 g fiber; 590 mg sodium; 0 mg potassium.

Nutrition Note: After straining and skimming, broth has negligible calories and nutrients except sodium (590 mg per cup).

More From EatingWell

Healthy Muffin Tin Recipes

Muffin tins are great for making more than just muffins,...

Thanksgiving Potato Recipes

No Thanksgiving dinner table is complete without a bowl of...

Thanksgiving Vegetable Recipes

If you’re looking for new healthy vegetable side dishes to...

Recipes for Frozen Yogurt

When you serve one of these frozen goodies this summer, your...
Thanksgiving Meal Makeover

Save 851 calories with our Thanksgiving makeover. With a few...

Healthy Quesadilla Recipes

Quesadillas are the perfect family-friendly weeknight meal...

Healthy Turkey Burger Recipes

Making a burger with ground turkey is the first step for a...

Quick Dinner Recipes

At the end of a busy day, ordering take out for dinner might...
Recipes From the May/June 2013 Issue of EatingWell

Get new recipe inspiration from EatingWell's best recipes...

Tofu Four Ways

According to a 2005 study by the U.S. Soybean Board, 30...

Tilapia Recipes, Mahi-Mahi Recipes and Cod Recipes

The delicate white meat and full flavor found in mahi-mahi,...

Top 50 Diet Recipes

From dinner to dessert, you can feel good about eating our...
Top 50 Diet Recipes for Fall

With the changing weather and back-to-school season comes a...

Top 50 Healthy Recipes for Winter

From chili recipes and stew recipes to creamy chicken recipes...

Top 50 Healthy Recipes of 2012

Ring in the new year with EatingWell’s best healthy recipes!...

Top 50 Recipes for Fall

When the weather turns cooler, creamy casseroles, baked...