A Pot Full of Cozy

There is nothing like a big pot of soup. It fills your whole house with a warm, happy smell. It makes you feel safe and cared for. This turkey soup is one of my favorites for a busy week.

It uses simple things you might already have. You just toss them all in one pot. I love how easy that is. What is your favorite cozy meal to make?

A Little Story About My Soup

My grandson used to turn his nose up at kale. He called it green stuff. One day, I let him add it to the soup himself. He watched it wilt and disappear into the broth.

He tried a small spoonful. He asked for a whole bowl! Now he says it is his favorite. I still laugh at that. Sometimes, helping with the cooking makes all the difference.

Why This Soup is So Good For You

This soup is packed with good things. The turkey and beans give you strength. The kale and carrots are full of vitamins for your body.

But it is good for your heart, too. Sharing a warm meal with people you love is important. It feeds more than just your stomach. It connects you.

Let us Talk About the Flavors

When you brown that turkey and onion, the smell is amazing. It smells like dinner is almost ready. The Italian seasoning makes it taste like you worked all day.

Fun fact: The flour you sprinkle on the veggies thickens the soup. It makes the broth silky and rich. Do you like a thin broth or a thick, hearty one?

A Tip For Your Week

This soup is a fantastic planner. You can make a big batch on a Sunday. Then you have dinners ready for a few nights. This matters because it saves you time when you are tired.

It tastes even better the next day. The flavors all get to know each other. What is one meal you like to make ahead for your week?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Lean Ground Turkey	16 ounces
Olive Oil	2 Tablespoons
Crimini Mushrooms	8 ounces	sliced thick
Carrots	2 Large	peeled & diced
Sweet Onion	1	chopped
Garlic Cloves	2	finely chopped
All Purpose Flour	3 Tablespoons
Dry Italian Seasoning	1 Tablespoon
Onion Powder	1 teaspoon
Garlic Powder	1 teaspoon
Salt/Pepper	Pinch
Low Sodium Chicken Stock	64 ounces
Northern White Beans	2 15 oz Cans	drained & rinsed
Chopped Fresh Kale	6 Cups

My Cozy White Bean & Turkey Soup

There’s nothing like a pot of soup simmering on the stove. It makes the whole house feel like a hug. This recipe is my go-to on a busy weeknight. It’s full of good things and comes together so easily.

I love how the kale turns such a bright, happy green. It always reminds me of my garden in the spring. Let’s get that pot warm and fill your kitchen with the best smells.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 (15 ounce) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups fresh kale, stems removed and chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Grab your biggest, coziest soup pot. We’ll brown the ground turkey in it first. Just cook it until it’s not pink anymore. Then scoop it out and put it in a little bowl for later. This is our first flavor step.

Step 2: Now, add your olive oil to the same pot. Toss in those sliced mushrooms, carrots, and onion. Oh, the sizzle is so satisfying! Cook them until the onions look a little shiny and soft. Then stir in the garlic. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Step 3: Sprinkle the flour right over the veggies. Stir it all around to coat everything. This will help make our soup nice and thick. (A hard-learned tip: add the stock slowly while stirring. This stops lumps from forming!). Now add all those dried herbs and the chicken stock.

Step 4: Bring your soup to a gentle boil. Then turn the heat down to a happy little bubble. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when you can poke a carrot with a fork easily. I still laugh at how my grandson calls this “the soup that hums.”

Step 5: Last steps! Stir in the white beans and all that fresh kale. The kale will wilt down into the hot soup perfectly. In just five or ten minutes, your soup is done. Time to ladle it into bowls. What’s your favorite cozy soup ingredient? Share below!

Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner, Soup

Three Fun Twists to Try

This soup is like a friendly recipe. It loves to play dress-up! You can change it so easily depending on what you have. Here are a few of my favorite ways to mix it up.

Hearty Veggie Version: Skip the turkey. Use an extra can of beans. It’s just as filling and so good.

A Little Spicy Kick: Add a big pinch of red pepper flakes with the herbs. It warms you right up.

Summer Garden Swap: Use fresh zucchini instead of carrots. Add a handful of fresh basil at the end.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

A great bowl of soup deserves great friends. I always make a batch of buttery toast for dipping. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top makes it extra special. For a real treat, serve it in a warm, hollowed-out bread bowl.

What to drink? A cold glass of apple cider is perfect with this. For the grown-ups, a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc is lovely. It cuts through the soup’s richness so nicely.

Which would you choose tonight?

Turkey Soup: Your Cozy Dinner Helper

This soup is a wonderful friend in your fridge. It tastes even better the next day. Let it cool completely before you put the lid on.

You can also freeze it for a busy night. I use old yogurt containers for single portions. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Reheat it gently on the stove. Add a splash of broth if it gets too thick. I once reheated it too fast and made a mess!

Making a big batch saves you time and money. It means a healthy dinner is always ready. This matters on days you are just too tired to cook.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Soup Troubles

Is your soup too thin? Mix a tablespoon of flour with a little cold water. Stir this into your simmering soup to thicken it up.

Worried about bland flavor? Do not forget to taste at the end. I remember when my soup tasted like water. A pinch more salt fixed everything.

Tasting as you go builds your cooking confidence. You learn what your food needs. This matters because you become the boss of your own kitchen.

Is your kale too tough? Just let it simmer a few minutes longer. It will become soft and lovely. Fun fact: Kale is part of the cabbage family!

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Soup Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?

A: Yes! Just skip the flour. Your soup will be a little thinner, but just as tasty.

Q: Can I make it ahead?

A: Absolutely. Make the whole soup but add the kale when you reheat it.

Q: I don’t have kale. What can I use?

A: Spinach is a perfect swap. It wilts very quickly in the hot soup.

Q: Can I double the recipe?

A: You sure can. Just use your biggest pot so it does not bubble over.

Q: Any other tips?

A: A squeeze of lemon juice at the end makes all the flavors shine.

Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this soup warms your home like it warms mine. It is a hug in a bowl. I love knowing you are cooking along with me.

Please share your own kitchen creations. I would be so delighted to see them. It makes my day to see your photos.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Grace Ellington.