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Heart-Warming Leftover Turkey and Barley (or Quinoa) Soup

  |  Irina Cazazaeva, RHN

As much as I love Thanksgiving dinner, I love the leftovers too. And  I’m so excited to share this tasty, gut-loving way to use them up...

Introducing… Heart-warming leftover turkey and barley (or quinoa) soup.

It is dairyfree, eggfree, legumefree, lowglycemic, nutfree, oilfree, porkfree, soyfree, nightshadefree, seafoodfree.

Cook time: 30 min

Ingredients for 6 servings:

  • 6 1/2 cups of water
  • 5 carrots (medium, diced)
  • ½ of sweet onion (diced)
  • 1 ½ tsp of Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp of sea salt (to taste)
  • 2/3 cup of earl barley or quinoa for gluten-free (you can also use wild rice or buckwheat, uncooked)
  • 340 grams (1.1 pounds) of turkey breast, cooked (roughly chopped)
  • 2 cups of baby spinach

Directions:

  1. In a pot over medium-high heat, add the water and barley or quinoa (you can also use wild rice or buckwheat and adjust the cooking time accordingly) and cook for 15 minutes.
  2. Stir in the carrots, onions, Italian seasoning, and salt. Once boiling, lower to a simmer and cook until the carrots are tender-crisp about five minutes.
  3. Add the turkey and spinach and cook until the turkey is warmed through and the spinach is wilted about three minutes. Divide into bowls and enjoy!

Nutritional facts about this recipe that make you feel healthy:

  • Protein

This recipe is a good source of protein, mainly from the turkey breast. Protein is essential for the growth and repair of body tissues, the production of enzymes and hormones, and the maintenance of lean muscle mass.

  • Vitamins and Minerals

The recipe provides a variety of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, and Zinc. These nutrients support various bodily functions such as immune function, vision, and red blood cell production.

  • Dietary Fiber

Ingredients like carrots, pearl barley, and baby spinach contribute to the dietary fiber content of this recipe. Dietary fiber aids digestion, helps maintain a healthy weight and lowers the risk of diabetes and heart disease.