Smoked Turkey and White Bean Soup is easy to make in the slow cooker or pressure cooker (Instant Pot). With simple ingredients, including dried white beans and aromatics, this soup comes together in no time.
Easing into the winter months with hearty soups and stews. Joe's Aunt gifted us with a pressure cooker last year and we have been having so much fun using it. As I get more comfortable with this new gadget, I'll be sharing some fun recipes.
But for now, we are keeping things simple, classic and fool proof. Smoked turkey and white bean soup is the first recipe we made in the pressure cooker since it's one of those 'throw it all in and let 'er go', but will still taste amazing because who else is obsessed with dried beans?
Yes, you need to soak your dried beans
There is some prep to the soup. Because I'm using dried beans, I still chose to soak them overnight in a big bowl of cold water. As they slowly expand, you can tell by the skins that start to wrinkle ever so slightly.
Then once that is complete, it's really dump it all in the pot and go. Fresh herbs, thyme and aromatics including onions, carrots and garlic. A few bay leaves and of course a smoked turkey leg. I opted to take the skin off of the turkey leg for less fat.
You could also use your leftover Thanksgiving or Holiday turkey for this soup and it would be lovely!
How to make Smoked Turkey and White Bean Soup in the Slow Cooker (Other version)
This soup is such a staple in our house that we have made it in the slow cooker and pressure cooker several times.
Same as with the pressure cooker, you still need to soak the beans (overnight preferred) and then throw it all into the slow cooker. The only difference is that the pressure cooker takes 20 min and slow cooker takes 4-6 hours.
White beans are also used in my White Bean Ragout with Pancetta.
Looking for more comfort soup inspiration?
Try my creamy pumpkin soup with fried sage or one of my favorites, vegetarian green curry soup with noodles and big flavors of ginger and lemongrass.
Need more ideas to use up smoked turkey?
My recipe for Peruvian Cilantro soup would be perfect for a smoked turkey leg as well as Pozole Rojo in place of the pork.
Smoked Turkey and White Bean Soup
LittleFerraroKitchen.com
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried white beans soaked for at least 6 hours
- Olive oil for sauteing + more for garnish
- 1 small white or yellow onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves chopped finely
- 3 carrots peeled and chopped into ½ inch pieces
- 2 celery stalks chopped into ½ inch pieces
- Several sprigs of fresh oregano leaves removed and chopped
- Several sprigs of fresh thyme leaves removed and chopped + more for garnish
- 5 cups chicken stock
- 1 smoked turkey legs skin removed
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Pressure Cooker Version
- On the saute function, drizzle with olive oil and add chopped onion and saute for about 3-4 minutes until softened but not caramelized.
- Then add in the garlic and saute for another minute.
- Add the carrots, celery and fresh herbs and saute for another minute.
- Add the soaked beans, turkey and bay leaves and pour in the stock. Everything should be fully submerged.
- Place lid on pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Once done, do a quick release and use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup for a creamier texture.
- Season with salt and pepper (the turkey often has enough salt to flavor) and taste for seasoning.
- Ladle soup in bowls and garnish with extra fresh thyme and a drizzle of olive oil.
Slow Cooker Version
- In a skillet over medium heat, drizzle with olive oil and add the chopped onion and saute until softened but not caramelized.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the onion and garlic to the slow cooker along with the rest of the vegetables, herbs, soaked beans, turkey leg and pour in stock.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
- Once done, use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup for a creamier texture.
- Ladel soup into bowls and garnish with fresh thyme and a drizzle of olive oil.
Otto Matic says
Years ago a friend of mine made some Lima beans and smoked turkey wings, I was curious about if I would like it, but it was very good, so I am going to try your butter bean recipe as it does sound very good and when it is cold outside it will warm you up inside plus it is feeling as well.
Benazir’s Kitchen says
Quick dinner recipes are the best, especially with so much flavor. Just the type of recipe we all need to keep our families nourished and have time to enjoy summer too!
Karen says
Can I use a can of white beans. I do love to use whole beans but want to use up these can goods.
Samantha says
Yes absolutely! Though if using the pressure cooker, you may need to add the canned beans after its done and let them just warm up in the soup, just in case it gets too "mushy". But I do canned beans in the slow cooker all the time with no problem. Happy cooking!
Best Juicers And Grinders says
My husband loved it so much !!!!! I’m making it again for him.
Rita C. Donnell says
Awesome presentation. I like bean soup very much. I have a barrier on turkey leg. What can I use instead of turkey? I' will try that tomorrow. Your presentation will assist me a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Samantha says
Hi Rita! I used the smoked turkey for the smokey flavor and meat. You can instead brown some bacon and then make the soup for the smoky flavor or use a ham hock instead of the turkey leg.
Pami says
What Instant Pot setting - soup or beans ? Looking forward to trying
Samantha says
I do not have the Instant Pot Brand, I use Cuisinart so I did High Pressure for the allotted time. Hope that helps!
Rose says
Yummy 😊can’t wait to try this recipe ty
Samantha says
Thank you! Looking forward to your feedback 🙂
M says
Where can you find a smoked turkey leg??? Have tried every grocery store in our area + specialized butcher shop - no dice. Closest thing at Giant was turkey necks...
Samantha says
Where are you located? I am not familiar with Giant. Here, I havent found it at Whole Foods and Haggen or Safeway. Diestel brand makes it.