I Keep 23 Thanksgiving Soup Ideas On Hand For Leftovers

After Thanksgiving, everyone swears they can’t eat another bite, until the soups appear. 23 warm soups later, those leftovers look like a smart life choice. Each batch keeps the holiday spirit going without repeating the same plate. It’s comfort food with purpose, helping the fridge recover one pot at a time.

A savory dish of French Onion Soup, topped with melted cheese and garnished with sprigs of fresh thyme.
Rich French Onion Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Chunky Minestrone Soup

A bowl of hearty minestrone soup packed with green beans, pasta, zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs, served with crusty bread slices.
Chunky Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When leftovers start piling up there’s nothing like throwing them into Chunky Minestrone Soup to make a meal work for another day. It’s got so much going on that you never get bored of eating from the same pot. This soup uses all kinds of bits and pieces without feeling like the same meal again.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Minestrone Soup

Fresh Pea and Mint Soup

A bowl of creamy green pea soup garnished with mint leaves, black pepper, and pieces of crusty bread.
Fresh Pea and Mint Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Soup after Thanksgiving should use what’s in the fridge so Fresh Pea and Mint Soup gives a bright way to use what’s left. Blending up the flavors brings a smooth twist that’s totally different from the holiday spread before. This is for days when something light just feels right after heavier meals. Each bowl feels clean without being plain.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Pea and Mint Soup

Comforting Chicken Soup

A pot of soup with sliced carrots, potatoes, and herbs floating in a seasoned broth.
Comforting Chicken Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

When leftovers come around no one complains about having Comforting Chicken Soup again. It lets you throw what you have in a pot and come out with something familiar but never old. Useful for busy days because heating it up is quick and fuss-free. All those leftover bits end up tasting like home.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Chicken Soup

Hearty Ham and Bean Soup

A bowl of white bean soup with pieces of ham, garnished with chopped parsley, and a spoon resting in the bowl.
Hearty Ham and Bean Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

After a big meal there always seems to be ham that needs a new purpose so Hearty Ham and Bean Soup brings it back in a new way. It’s simple to make and ends up full enough to count as dinner all over again. Beans fill it out without making you feel heavy. Add extra leftovers and this soup stretches another night easily.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Ham and Bean Soup

Hearty Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

A close-up of soup with meatballs, carrots, celery, spinach, slivered almonds, and fresh herbs in a clear broth.
Hearty Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

When food is stacked up in the fridge nothing clears space like Hearty Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup. This dish has so many textures it never tastes like yesterday’s dinner. Toss in whatever’s left for extra flavor and let it simmer while you get back to your day. Every batch feels like you made something new with old stuff.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

Creamy Leek and Potato Soup

A bowl of creamy soup garnished with sautéed green onions and herbs.
Creamy Leek and Potato Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Soup with Creamy Leek and Potato Soup turns leftovers into smooth comfort food with almost no work. It never feels heavy so you wake up wanting more. Toss in old veggies and bits from the fridge to build up flavor but it keeps a simple vibe. When leftovers overstay their welcome this soup sends them out quietly.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Leek and Potato Soup

Hearty Red Lentil Soup

A bowl of lentil curry garnished with chopped cilantro and a swirl of cream, with a spoon in the bowl.
Hearty Red Lentil Soup. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Using leftovers for Hearty Red Lentil Soup means you never throw away any extra odds and ends. This bowl fills up quick with stuff you have on hand and somehow never gets dull. Red lentils make everything mix together nice. It’s such a strong way to clean out what’s left in the fridge before grocery shopping again.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Red Lentil Soup

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

A mouthwatering close-up of pumpkin soup garnished with a swirl of cream, crunchy pumpkin seeds, a crispy slice, and aromatic sage leaves.
Creamy Pumpkin Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Let leftovers get a fresh start by mixing them into Creamy Pumpkin Soup where everything comes together smooth. It’s easy to hide tired food in a batch and nobody complains about having more. Each spoonful feels sweet without that overdone vibe. Add anything you find in the fridge for a meal that feels new.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup

A close-up of a bowl of hearty Chicken Noodle Soup, showcasing shredded chicken, egg noodles, chopped carrots, celery, and garnished with fresh parsley.
Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Whatever’s leftover seems to fit right in with Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup so nothing goes to waste. The noodles bulk up the soup so every bite fills you up again without feeling tired of the same flavors. Throw the last of the roast or extra veggies in and call it a day. Fast fix for after-holiday eating.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup

Hearty Tortellini Soup

A close-up of creamy tortellini with spinach and fresh basil leaves.
Hearty Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Leftovers get a chance to shine again when thrown into Hearty Tortellini Soup since the dumplings soak up new flavors easy. Anything from turkey to random veggies makes it feel different each time. Soup like this works for big meals or solo lunches without much effort. Tortellini just ties it all together while cleaning out the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Tortellini Soup

Vibrant Beet Soup

A bowl of beet soup is garnished with a dollop of cream, black pepper, and fresh rosemary, with a gold spoon resting inside the bowl.
Vibrant Beet Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

If the fridge is packed with odds and ends a batch of Vibrant Beet Soup brings out color while using up what’s hiding in corners. Roasted beets taste good even after a few days so leftovers feel good as new. Super easy to mix everything up then scoop for lunch all week. It’s enough to turn basic leftovers into something worth eating.
Get the Recipe: Vibrant Beet Soup

Velvety Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Close-up of a bowl of creamy butternut squash soup garnished with herbs, seeds, and two slices of seasoned bread. The soup has a swirled texture and a vibrant orange color.
Velvety Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Days after the big meal leftovers dodge the trash by ending up in Velvety Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Blending everything together means you don’t need to think about what’s old or new. It pours out smooth with each spoonful feeling just a bit special. If something needs to leave the fridge this soup is the answer.
Get the Recipe: Velvety Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Hearty White Bean Soup

A bowl of hearty white bean soup topped with melted cheese and a slice of toasted bread, garnished with fresh parsley.
Hearty White Bean Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

When you’re over sandwiches toss everything into Hearty White Bean Soup since it holds up great to random fridge finds. Beans make things thick so no one notices leftovers hiding inside. Throw extras in and get a meal worth eating for days. It just makes finishing up leftovers way easier.
Get the Recipe: Hearty White Bean Soup

Creamy, Cheesy Broccoli Soup

A close-up of a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup garnished with croutons, a sprig of mint, and grated cheese.
Creamy, Cheesy Broccoli Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

If someone asks what’s for dinner after a holiday meal you can always suggest Creamy, Cheesy Broccoli Soup since cheese masks whatever leftovers sneak in. Even picky eaters grab a bowl without guessing what’s inside. Any veggies left can join in for a new twist. This soup stretches what’s in the fridge so nothing goes to waste.
Get the Recipe: Creamy, Cheesy Broccoli Soup

Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of meat, potatoes, carrots, and peas in a brown broth, garnished with chopped parsley.
Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Big meals leave a mess in the fridge but Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup manages to clear things out fast. No one misses leftovers when they’re mixed together in a soupy bowl. Meat plus veggies plus broth takes only minutes and feels like real food, not reheated scraps. Soup like this makes cleaning up after a big event quick and easy.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

Roasted Tomato Soup

Close-up of a bowl of roasted tomato soup topped with toasted bread chunks, fresh thyme, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Roasted Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Leftovers take a turn for the better after ending up in Roasted Tomato Soup where flavor blends from stuff that’s been hanging around. Roasting pulls everything together and works for big batches too. Simple to reheat and no one ever complains about having another bowl. It helps toss out old produce in one shot.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato Soup

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Mushroom soup that's delightfully creamy, adorned with sautéed mushrooms, a dollop of cream, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of parsley.
Creamy Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Soup with Creamy Mushroom Soup puts leftovers front and center and still keeps flavor smooth. Anything that’s not too crunchy can go right in for a quick meal. Cream blends things up so every bite feels rich but not too heavy. Great way to clean out the fridge after a big dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Soup

Comforting Cabbage Soup

A close-up of a steaming pot of hearty cabbage soup in a tomato-based broth, garnished with fresh herbs.
Comforting Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

That pile of leftovers in the fridge lands right inside Comforting Cabbage Soup before anyone asks what happened to the extras. Cabbage never complains when you stuff it with bits and pieces. Soup feels light while using up a ton of extras at once. If nothing else sounds good bring this out for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Cabbage Soup

Chunky Vegetable Soup

Close-up of a bowl of vegetable soup with spinach, peas, carrots, celery, and large beans, topped with grated cheese. A spoon rests in the bowl.
Chunky Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When you need to use up lots of veggies at once the answer is always Chunky Vegetable Soup. It mixes textures so every spoonful is different even with leftovers. Quick to make so there’s no extra work after a huge meal. Everyone grabs a bowl without caring what went into it.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Vegetable Soup

Comforting Chicken Pot Pie Soup

A pot of creamy vegetable and chicken soup with mushrooms, corn, peas, carrots, and herbs.
Comforting Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

After a big meal different leftovers come together in Comforting Chicken Pot Pie Soup so nothing just sits around. The soup feels like a new meal even if it’s made from old bits. Hearty enough for lunch or dinner with just a few things from the fridge. It turns extra food into something warm and easy to eat.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Hearty Potato Soup

Close-up of a bowl of creamy soup topped with grilled bacon pieces and chopped parsley.
Hearty Potato Soup. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

If potatoes are still lingering use them up in Hearty Potato Soup for a meal that doesn’t need fancy steps. Soup can stretch with leftovers without anyone noticing. It works on busy nights or lazy afternoons right after the holidays. Eating this soup means clearing out extra fridge space quick.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Potato Soup

Comforting Turkey Soup

A bowl of chicken soup with rice, carrots, celery, herbs, and pepper sprinkled on top.
Comforting Turkey Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Instead of repeating sandwiches leftover turkey turns into new flavor with Comforting Turkey Soup. A bowl uses up bits from the fridge without feeling like repeat. Quick to heat up after a long day of holiday clean up. Soup grabs attention by hiding leftovers in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Turkey Soup

Rich French Onion Soup

A savory dish of French Onion Soup, topped with melted cheese and garnished with sprigs of fresh thyme.
Rich French Onion Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Leftover onions or bread make a new meal in Rich French Onion Soup so extras never go to waste. Broth adds comfort even when the holidays are over. It packs everything you need for lunch while clearing out old ingredients. Nothing beats soup for getting rid of extra food in style.
Get the Recipe: Rich French Onion Soup

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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