15 Bean Smoked Turkey Soup (Printer View)

Slow-cooked smoky turkey with a mix of 15 beans and vegetables for a hearty, wholesome dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans

01 - 1 (20 oz) bag 15-bean soup mix, rinsed and sorted

→ Meats

02 - 1.5 lbs smoked turkey wings or legs

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large onion, diced
04 - 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 3 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained

→ Liquids

08 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 2 cups water

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

# Method Steps:

01 - Rinse and sort the 15-bean soup mix under cold water, discarding any debris or discolored beans. Soaking overnight is optional but will produce a creamier texture and reduce cooking time.
02 - Transfer the prepared beans, smoked turkey pieces, diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, minced garlic, and undrained canned tomatoes into a 6-quart slow cooker.
03 - Pour in chicken broth and water. Add dried thyme, paprika, black pepper, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir gently to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the mixture.
04 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW setting for 8 hours, or until beans are completely tender and turkey meat is easily shredding. Do not stir frequently during cooking.
05 - Remove turkey pieces from the slow cooker. Discard skin and bones, then shred the cooked meat into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded turkey to the soup and stir to combine.
06 - Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Remove and discard the bay leaf. For a thicker consistency, mash some beans against the side of the pot with a spoon before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It practically cooks itself while you go about your day, then fills your home with an aroma that makes everything feel slower and cozier.
  • One pot, minimal prep, and you end up with eight servings of something that tastes like it simmered for days but only needs your attention at the start.
  • The combination of smoky turkey and tender beans creates a depth of flavor that somehow tastes better the next day, making it the ultimate make-ahead meal.
02 -
  • Don't skip the sorting step; even once I found a tiny pebble that would have cracked a tooth, and it only took sixty seconds to prevent that disaster.
  • The salt situation matters more than you'd think, add it gradually at the end rather than all at once, since the broth concentrates as liquid reduces and smoked turkey brings its own seasoning.
03 -
  • If you soak the beans overnight, you can actually reduce cooking time by an hour or two and end up with an even creamier texture that some people swear by.
  • Taste the broth early on and remember that you can always add more salt but you can never take it out, so go easy at first and adjust near the end when you have the full picture.
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