I first encountered this Turkey Vegetable Soup when I craved something light yet incredibly flavorful. The lean ground turkey, carrots, and diced tomatoes meld beautifully with low sodium chicken broth and fresh spinach. Each spoonful is a reminder that healthy eating can be absolutely delicious.
I’ve been experimenting with new healthy recipes lately and this turkey vegetable soup from The Food Charlatan quickly became a staple in my kitchen. I made it when I needed something filling yet light, so I cooked 1 lb lean ground turkey with a couple of tbsp olive oil until it was just right.
Then I tossed in a large chopped onion, a few minced garlic cloves, some diced red bell pepper, and carrots. The aroma really grabbed me as it simmered with a can of diced tomatoes, while the low sodium chicken broth carried all these flavors together.
I even threw in fresh spinach and a pinch of dried oregano and basil. This is not your typical diet soup – it’s packed with flavor and key ingredients that satisfy without compromising your goals.
If you’re looking for an easy, healthy turkey recipe that’ll keep you coming back, give this one a whirl!
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe becuz it’s super healthy and filling. I really like that it’s packed with lots of veggies so I know I’m getting good nutrients even when I’m trying to lose weight. The lean ground turkey makes it low calorie but adds tons of flavor, and that makes dieting a little more fun. I also really appreciate how easy it is to whip up – it almost feels like one of those go-to meals that just fits my busy schedule without messing things up. Lastly, the mix of garlic, basil, and oregano gives it a warm, comforting taste that always reminds me of home.
Ingredients
- Lean ground turkey: It is lots of protein for strong muscles and a healthy meal.
- Olive oil: Adds good fats to help absorb the vitamins in other ingredients.
- Onion: Adds a mild sweetness and extra fiber, plus improves taste.
- Carrots: They bring natural sweetness and fiber that helps with digestion.
- Tomatoes: These give tangy flavor and are full of vitamin C and antioxidants.
- Spinach: Loaded with vitamins and minerals that keep the meal light and fresh.
- Garlic: Brings a strong, slightly spicy flavor and loads of antioxidants for a boost.
- Celery: Offers a crisp texture and fiber to keep everything fresh.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Make this
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the chopped onion and minced garlic.
2. When the onions start to look soft, add the lean ground turkey and cook it until it’s browned all over.
3. Toss in the chopped celery and diced carrots and let them cook for about 5 minutes until they slightly soften.
4. Now add the diced red bell pepper and zucchini and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes along with its juices and stir them in well.
6. Next, pour in the low sodium chicken broth and bring the whole mixture to a boil.
7. Once it’s boiling, lower the heat to a simmer so all the flavors can blend together nicely.
8. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Let the soup simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the veggies are tender but still have a bit of crunch.
10. Just before serving, mix in the fresh spinach and let it wilt for a couple minutes, then serve hot and enjoy!
Equipment Needed
1. Large pot
2. Chef’s knife
3. Cutting board
4. Measuring spoons and cups
5. Can opener
6. Stirring spoon
7. Ladle
FAQ
Weight Loss Soup (Turkey Vegetable Soup) From The Food Charlatan Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you can’t find lean ground turkey, you can use lean ground chicken instead. It’s not exactly the same but it works ok in the soup.
- If you’re out of olive oil, you can substitute with canola or avocado oil. They might alter the flavor a little but should do the trick.
- Don’t have carrots? Try using parsnips. They give a similar sweetness and texture to the soup.
- If low sodium chicken broth isn’t available, you can swap it for low sodium vegetable broth. It’s a good way to keep the salt content low.
- No fresh spinach on hand? Kale can be a decent alternative. Just make sure to chop it finely so it cooks evenly.
Pro Tips
1. When you’re browning that turkey, try not to overcrowd the pan; if you do, it can steam instead of browning, and that kinda kills the flavor.
2. Its a good idea to chop all your veggies into similar sizes so they cook at the same rate; this way, you wont end up with some pieces mushy and others still raw.
3. Always taste as you go and adjust the seasonings; dried herbs can vary a lot in strength so dont be afraid to add a pinch more salt or even a splash of lemon juice at the end if you need a little extra kick.
4. If you got any fresh herbs lying around, like basil or parsley, adding them right before serving can totally brighten up the dish and give it a fresher taste.
Weight Loss Soup (Turkey Vegetable Soup) From The Food Charlatan Recipe
My favorite Weight Loss Soup (Turkey Vegetable Soup) From The Food Charlatan Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large pot
2. Chef’s knife
3. Cutting board
4. Measuring spoons and cups
5. Can opener
6. Stirring spoon
7. Ladle
Ingredients:
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the chopped onion and minced garlic.
2. When the onions start to look soft, add the lean ground turkey and cook it until it’s browned all over.
3. Toss in the chopped celery and diced carrots and let them cook for about 5 minutes until they slightly soften.
4. Now add the diced red bell pepper and zucchini and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes along with its juices and stir them in well.
6. Next, pour in the low sodium chicken broth and bring the whole mixture to a boil.
7. Once it’s boiling, lower the heat to a simmer so all the flavors can blend together nicely.
8. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Let the soup simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the veggies are tender but still have a bit of crunch.
10. Just before serving, mix in the fresh spinach and let it wilt for a couple minutes, then serve hot and enjoy!