Creamy Smoked Turkey and Rice Soup (Slow Cooker)
Table of contents
Intro
There’s just something about a slow cooker full of cozy soup that makes everything feel a little easier—especially when it’s made with simple ingredients and big, comforting flavor. This Creamy Smoked Turkey and Rice Soup is one of those recipes that came together from what I had on hand, and it turned out so good it’s definitely going into regular rotation.
The smoked turkey gives it that rich, slow-cooked flavor without a ton of effort, and the creamy rice at the end pulls everything together into a hearty, satisfying meal. This is the kind of dinner that cooks all day while you go about your life—and then rewards you at the end. And if this recipe is your kind of thing check out my Smoked Turkey Leg Stew with Beans and Cabbage or this Crockpot Smoked Turkey, Potatoes, and Green Beans!
Check out these other great recipes while you are here!
Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Oven-Baked Corned Beef and Cabbage
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Slow cooker does all the work
- Budget-friendly ingredients
- Packed with smoky, savory flavor
- Thick, creamy, and comforting
- Easy to adjust to your preferred consistency
- Perfect for leftovers (and even better the next day)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Smoked turkey leg – adds deep, smoky flavor and becomes fall-apart tender
- Celery – builds that classic soup base and adds subtle freshness
- Carrots – adds a touch of natural sweetness and color
- Onion – creates a rich, savory foundation
- Garlic – brings bold flavor to balance the creaminess
- Cream of mushroom soup – adds body, creaminess, and depth
- Roasted turkey gravy mix – boosts that savory, slow-cooked flavor
- Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb seasoning – layers in herby flavor without extra salt
- Italian seasoning – adds warmth and balance
- Black pepper – simple but essential for depth
- Slap Ya Mama seasoning – adds a little kick (totally adjustable)
- Low sodium chicken broth – keeps everything rich but not overly salty
- Knorr creamy chicken rice sides (2 packages) – makes this recipe extra easy and adds creamy texture and flavor
- Water (or broth for reheating) – helps adjust consistency at the end
Ingredient Swaps & Variations
This recipe is super flexible depending on what you have on hand:
- No smoked turkey leg? – Use leftover turkey, rotisserie chicken, or smoked turkey wings
- Don’t like cream of mushroom? – Swap for cream of chicken or cream of celery
- Want to use plain rice? – Add cooked rice at the end or cook raw rice separately and stir it in
- Want it from scratch? – Skip the Knorr sides and use cooked rice + a splash of cream
- Need more veggies? – Add green beans, peas, or corn
- Want it spicier? – Increase Slap Ya Mama or add a pinch of cayenne
- Want it richer? – Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end
How to Make Creamy Smoked Turkey and Rice Soup
Start by adding your sliced celery, carrots, diced onion, and minced garlic to the bottom of your slow cooker. This creates a flavorful base that everything cooks into.
Next, add in the cream of mushroom soup and the roasted turkey gravy mix. Sprinkle in the Mrs. Dash garlic and herb seasoning, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and a little Slap Ya Mama for heat. Pour in the chicken broth and give everything a light stir to combine.
Place the smoked turkey leg right on top. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours (or high for 6–7 hours) until the turkey is tender and infused with flavor.
Once it’s done, carefully remove the turkey leg. Take the time to remove the skin and any tendons, then shred the meat.
Add the shredded turkey back into the slow cooker along with both packages of Knorr creamy chicken rice.
Stir everything together, cover, and turn the slow cooker to high for about 30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and cooked through.
At this point, the soup will be thick and hearty. Add about 3 cups of water (or chicken broth) until it reaches your desired soup consistency.
Give it a final stir, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed—and it’s ready to serve.
Tips for Success
- Don’t skip removing the tendons from the turkey- you do not want to bite into one of those sharp pieces!
- Keep an eye on the rice during the last 30 minutes—it cooks quickly because it is parboiled
- Add liquid gradually at the end so you don’t thin it out too much
- Taste before adding extra salt—there’s already a lot of flavor here
Serving Suggestions
This soup is hearty enough on its own, but it’s even better with something on the side:
- Cornbread (perfect with the smoky flavor)
- Crackers
- Garlic bread
- Croutons for a little crunch
If you do make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating! I love hearing from you and it helps so much! Thank you!
Creamy Smoked Turkey and Rice Soup (Slow Cooker)
Equipment
- 1 6-8 Quart Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 Ribs of Celery, sliced
- 2 Carrots, sliced
- 1 Yellow Onion, Diced
- 5-6 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 10.5 oz Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 Packet Turkey Gravy Mix
- 1 tbsp Mrs Dash Garlic and Herb Seasoning
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/4 tsp Slap Ya Mama Seasoning
- 32 oz Low Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Broth
- 1 Smoked Turkey Leg
- 2 (5.7 oz) Packages Knorr Creamy Chicken Rice
- 3-4 Cups Water
Instructions
- Add celery, carrots, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Stir in cream of mushroom soup, gravy mix, and all seasonings.
- Pour in chicken broth and mix well.
- Place smoked turkey leg on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours (or high for 6–7 hours).
- Remove turkey leg, discard skin and tendons, and shred meat.
- Return shredded turkey to the slow cooker.
- Stir in both packages of Knorr rice.
- Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes, until rice is tender.
- Add about 3 cups water or broth to reach desired consistency.
- Stir, taste, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve.
Notes
Make-Ahead & Storage
Refrigerator:Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheating:
The rice will soak up liquid as it sits, so when reheating, add water or chicken broth to loosen it back up to a soup consistency. Freezing:
You can freeze it, but keep in mind the rice texture may change slightly. If you plan to freeze, it’s best to freeze before adding the rice and add fresh rice when reheating.
FAQ
Can I use leftover turkey instead of a smoked turkey leg? – Yes! Leftover turkey works great, but you’ll lose some of that smoky flavor. Adding a little smoked paprika can help.
Can I make this without the Knorr rice sides? – You can. Just use cooked rice or cook rice separately and stir it in at the end.
Why is my soup so thick the next day? – The rice absorbs liquid as it sits. Just add water or broth when reheating.
Can I cook this on high the whole time? – Yes, 6–7 hours on high works, but low and slow gives the best flavor.
Can I make this spicier? – Absolutely. Add more Slap Ya Mama or a pinch of cayenne.
