Slow Cooker Turkey Chowder
59 CommentsUpdated Mar 04, 2026
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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.
Featured Comment
I made this last year after Thanksgiving and it’s one of the most well received crockpot recipe recipes I’ve ever made. Highly recommend anyone try if they’re interested.
– ROWLAND
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!
We love a good chowder recipe, this turkey chowder is unique, but also try my easy clam chowder!
Key Ingredients
Leftover turkey – Use up that extra turkey. I don’t use turkey more than 3 days old—by then it can taste stale.
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.
How to Make Turkey Chowder
- Load the slow cooker with turkey, veggies, broth, and seasonings.
- Slow cook until everything is tender and the flavors come together.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cream, cook a little longer, and let it thicken into chowder.
Sarah’s Tip & Variations
Cornstarch Swap: Instead of a cornstarch slurry, you can whisk 1/4 cup flour into the heavy cream.
Chicken Chowder: You can swap in raw or leftover chicken, and the cook time stays the same since the vegetables need the full time to soften.
Add Bacon: Stir in crispy bacon at the end for extra flavor.
Heat It Up: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne for a spicy twist.
How to Store Turkey Chowder
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days – remember this already has leftovers in it, it won’t last long in the fridge. Also, this does not freeze well, anything with cream or potatoes changes not in a good way in the freezer.
Slow Cooker Turkey Chowder
How to Video
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
Slow Cooker Method
- 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, whisk 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!
Stovetop Method
- Add the turkey, veggies, seasonings, and broth to a large pot and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let everything cook until the potatoes and carrots are nice and tender. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and heavy cream, simmer a few more minutes until it thickens, and you’re good to go. You may need to add a little extra broth if it cooks down too much.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Recipe adapted from Just a Pinch – Turkey Soup Continental
More turkey soups to make in your crockpot
Turkey and Gravy and Turkey and Dumplings are delicious ways to turn leftover turkey into comforting, homemade meals.
Turkey and Rice Soup are perfect when you want something warm, cozy, and budget-friendly. If you’re craving bold flavor, Cajun 15 Bean Soup with Turkey is a hearty, spicy option that never disappoints.
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.
Can I use frozen vegetables with the potatoes?
can you half the recipe for a 3 qt?
Yes! That will work great.
What is considered a serving size?
I don’t have that information. I apologize.
Can I use regular whipping cream instead of heavy cream?
Yes, will work fine. Won’t be quite as thick but will work.
Thank you for the amazing recipe!!!! I made it today and I love it!!!!!
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!
Can you use 2 cans of whole instead of cream corn
Yes, that will work fine.
Can’t wait to try this! Think russets would be comparable? I prefer the others but have these on hand.
I think they will do fine!
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
So great to hear! Now I need to order myself a smoked turkey. Great idea.