Slow Cooker Turkey Chowder


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Want to change up that leftover turkey? This turkey chowder is the ticket! Creamy and flavorful and a welcome change for leftovers.

We love a good chowder recipe, this turkey chowder is unique, but also try my easy clam chowder!

close up of turkey chowder on wooden spoon.
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If you are like me you like to use up all the leftover turkey. Roasted turkey is such a nice change from the rest of the year’s meals and I always want to make as many meals as possible with it.

We often make turkey noodle soup, but this year I went in a different direction. I made creamy decadent turkey chowder that has chopped leftover turkey and small diced vegetables. This chowder is as good as any fancy restaurant!

corn, spices, vegetables, cream, turkey broth, and turkey in front of the slow cooker.

How to make turkey chowder in the crockpot:

  • Leftover turkey – Use up that extra turkey. Note that I DO NOT use turkey more than 3 days old. It tends to get a stale taste if left too long in the fridge.
  • Vegetables – Carrots, celery, onion, red potatoes
  • Corn – One can of cream-style corn and one can of drained kernel corn.
  • Broth – I make slow cooker turkey stock from the leftover turkey bones (or you can use chicken broth).
  • Cornstarch – This will give the soup a thick chowder like consistency. Make a slurry from cold water and cornstarch and add at the end of the cooking time. Cook for 30 more minutes.
  • Heavy Cream – Adds flavor and helps to thicken the soup more.
ingredients for turkey chowder in slow cooker

How long do I cook?

  • Place the lid on the slow cooker.
  • Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
  • Now you will need to add a cornstarch slurry and continue cooking until thickened. See the next step on how to do this.
turkey chowder before being cooked

How do I add cornstarch to a soup in the slow cooker?

  • Mix equal parts of cold water and cornstarch and whisk together, this is called a cornstarch slurry.
  • Add to the hot soup in the slow cooker. Stir.
turkey chowder in slow cooker before cream is added
  • Add the heavy cream along with the cornstarch slurry to make this chowder creamy.
  • Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for 30 minutes more, this will get the soup up to temperature so the cornstarch will activate and thicken.
  • Serve and enjoy!
wooden spoon scooping turkey chowder out of slow cooker

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

  • Yes, you can use raw chicken breasts or cut up leftover chicken in this recipe.
  • The same amount of cooking time for raw or cooked, for the vegetables take just as long to cook.

More turkey soups to make in your crockpot:

white bowl full of turkey chowder

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wooden spoon scooping turkey chowder out of slow cooker

Slow Cooker Turkey Chowder

4.89 from 17 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Make that leftover turkey into something completely different with my easy turkey chowder recipe.

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 cups cubed leftover turkey
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced onion, (or diced leeks)
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 2 cups red potatoes
  • 15 oz. can cream-style corn
  • 15 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 tsp. basil
  • 1/4 tsp. thyme
  • 2 tsp. dried parsley
  • 4 cups turkey or chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch, (WAIT TO ADD)
  • 1/4 cup cold water, (WAIT TO ADD)
  • 1 cup heavy cream, (WAIT TO ADD)

Instructions 

  • Add the turkey, veggies, seasonings, and broth to the slow cooker (WAIT TO ADD THE CORNSTARCH, WATER AND HEAVY CREAM).
  • Stir.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook for 4 hours on HIGH or 8 hours on LOW.
  • When the cooking time is up, whish together the cold water and corn starch, stir into the chowder. Stir in the heavy cream.
  • Cook on HIGH for 30 minutes longer or until soup thickens.
  • Serve and enjoy!

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
  • Yes, you can use raw chicken breast or cut up leftover chicken in this recipe.
  • The same amount of cooking time for raw or cooked, for the vegetables take just as long to cook.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 1013mg | Potassium: 586mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3367IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

Recipe adapted from Just a Pinch – Turkey Soup Continental

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52 Comments

  1. Kristy says:

    4 stars
    My husband loved this…will definitely make it again. I personally thought two cans of corn was too much, but he did not. Also added a little more broth right before adding cornstarch and cream; again a more personal choice so it wasn’t so stew-like.

  2. Cathy says:

    5 stars
    Can I use frozen vegetables with the potatoes?

  3. Anonymous says:

    can you half the recipe for a 3 qt?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes! That will work great.

  4. Lisa says:

    What is considered a serving size?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I don’t have that information. I apologize.

  5. Judy lennon says:

    Can I use regular whipping cream instead of heavy cream?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, will work fine. Won’t be quite as thick but will work.

  6. Liz P says:

    5 stars
    Thank you for the amazing recipe!!!! I made it today and I love it!!!!!

  7. Michelle says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is awesome! I rarely follow recipes without changing a little something to my liking. I followed it exactly as instructed, it was perfect! I just made it today with leftover turkey from our Christmas dinner yesterday. Will definitely be making it again! Thanks!

  8. Kathy says:

    5 stars
    Can you use 2 cans of whole instead of cream corn

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, that will work fine.

  9. Michelle LaSpina says:

    5 stars
    Can’t wait to try this! Think russets would be comparable? I prefer the others but have these on hand.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I think they will do fine!

  10. Virginia says:

    5 stars
    Hi, Sarah! I’m a long-time fan and first time poster. This recipe came out so unbelievably good that I wanted to share my results with you. I started with leftover smoked turkey and turkey bone broth I made after Thanksgiving. Then, I made your recipe exactly as written. The chowder is flavorful and a perfect comfort food for the cold winter weather we’re having. It’s better than any chowder I have had before and is perfect to curl up with on a cold pandemic day. I’m not gonna lie: I’m feeling super gourmet and kitchen-accomplished right now; my chowder looks like it should be in a magazine. I ordered another smoked turkey online to be delivered in a few weeks from now since I finally have a way to use up leftovers and not waste anything. Thank you for your website and especially your videos. I’m learning to cook more at home and the videos help a lot. I cannot wait to check out your other leftover turkey recipes! #Winning

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      So great to hear! Now I need to order myself a smoked turkey. Great idea.