Southwestern Turkey Soup (Printable)

Vibrant Tex-Mex inspired soup with tender turkey, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and aromatic spices for a hearty, comforting meal.

# Components:

→ Protein

01 - 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup frozen or canned corn kernels, drained if canned
06 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
08 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
09 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced, optional
10 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste

→ Liquids

11 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices and Seasonings

13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
15 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
17 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
18 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
19 - Juice of 1 lime
20 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish

→ Optional Garnishes

21 - Sliced avocado
22 - Crumbled tortilla chips
23 - Shredded cheese
24 - Sour cream

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and red bell pepper; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and jalapeño if using; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir for 1 minute to release essential oils and deepen flavors.
04 - Mix in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize slightly.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, diced tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, corn, and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil.
06 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in cooked turkey and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro and desired toppings such as avocado, tortilla chips, cheese, or sour cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something that tastes like you spent all day cooking.
  • The spice blend gives you that Tex-Mex warmth without being overwhelming, and you control exactly how much heat you add.
  • Leftover turkey transforms into something completely different and genuinely exciting to eat again.
02 -
  • Don't skip the spice toasting step, because it's the difference between soup that tastes like ingredients thrown together and soup that tastes intentional and professionally balanced.
  • Canned ingredients vary wildly in salt content, so taste constantly and adjust at the end rather than trying to nail the seasoning in the middle of cooking.
  • The lime juice at the end is non-negotiable, because it brightens everything and makes the spices taste sharper and more alive.
03 -
  • If you don't have cooked turkey on hand, rotisserie chicken works beautifully and actually tastes slightly richer because of how it's prepared.
  • Make extra lime-cilantro mixture on the side so people can add more brightness and freshness to their individual bowls as they eat, which keeps it from getting diluted throughout the pot.
Return