Opa’s Turkey Soup - Opa's Smoked Meats
1 min read

Opa’s Turkey Soup

Opa's Turkey Soup

Opa's Smoked Meats
Servings

8

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

40 minutes

Cuisine

Mexican

Category

Soup

Difficulty

Easy

Best For

Cozy weeknights

A southwestern turkey soup that tastes like it took longer than it did. Shredded Opa's Smoked Turkey simmers with tomatoes, green chiles, lime, cumin, and a whisper of cayenne, then gets crowned with diced avocado and a handful of Monterey Jack. The smoke in the turkey gives the broth a depth most soups have to work much harder for.
Opa's southwestern smoked turkey soup with tomatoes, green chiles, avocado, and Monterey Jack, Fredericksburg, Texas

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups shredded Opa's Smoked Turkey
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 can (28 ounce) whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1 can (4 ounce) chopped green chile peppers
  • 2 Roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup sweet corn
  • Optional: tortilla strips

Directions

  1. Simmer. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the turkey, broth, canned tomatoes, green chiles, fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, and lime juice. Season with cayenne, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer 15-20 minutes.
  2. Add the corn. Stir in the corn and simmer 15 minutes more, until slightly thickened.
  3. Finish. Take the pot off the heat and stir in the cilantro. Ladle into bowls and top each with diced avocado, shredded cheese, and tortilla strips if you like.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is Opa's smoked turkey already cooked?

    Yes. It's fully cooked, so the simmer is about marrying flavors.

  2. Why does the avocado go on top?

    Simmered avocado turns soft and bitter. Added at the end, it stays fresh and creamy.

  3. How do I store leftovers?

    Refrigerate the soup without the avocado and toppings, and enjoy it within 3 to 4 days.