Hearty Barley Turkey Soup

Ingredients

• 5 quartss water , or as needed
• 1 turkey carcass
• 1.5 cups coarsely chopped onion
• 0.5 cups chopped carrot
• 3 stalks celery , cut in half
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1 pinch dried thyme , or to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all stock and soup ingredients.

2. 2

   To make the turkey stock: Combine 5 quarts water and turkey carcass in a large stockpot over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Add onion, carrot, celery, peppercorns, bay leaf, and thyme. Reduce the heat and simmer, skimming excess fat and foam from the surface as needed and adding more water as it evaporates, for 2 to 2 ½ hours.

3. 3

   Remove carcass to a cutting board and cool. Strain stock; discard solids and return liquid to the pot.

4. 4

   Pull meat from cooled carcass and discard bones. Shred meat and refrigerate until needed.

5. 5

   Make the soup: Add carrots, onions, celery, barley, mushrooms, bay leaves, salt, marjoram, pepper, and thyme to stock; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until barley is fully cooked, about 1 hour 20 minutes.

6. 6

   Return shredded turkey to the soup; simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes. Remove bay leaves and serve.