A little reason to celebrate
Turkey Neck Soup Day
Food ยท March 30
A day for turkey neck soup, the slow-simmered, thrifty bowl made from a cut that many cooks overlook, full of rich broth and tender meat.
Turkey Neck Soup Day falls on Tuesday, March 30, 2027. That is 154 days away.
Turkey neck soup starts with one of the plainest cuts on the bird. The neck is bony and a little awkward, and plenty of people find it tucked inside a whole turkey and never know what to do with it. Simmered long enough, though, it turns into one of the richest broths a kitchen can make.
The reason is the bones and connective tissue. As the necks cook slowly in water, that tissue breaks down and gives the broth body, so it coats a spoon and sets a little when it cools. The meat loosens from the bones and can be picked off in small, tender pieces and returned to the pot.
From there the soup goes wherever the cook wants. Some versions stay simple, with onion, celery, carrot and a bay leaf. Others add potatoes, rice, beans, greens or noodles. In parts of the South, smoked turkey necks bring a deep, smoky flavor to a pot of soup or greens.
It is patient food rather than fast food. Most of the work is waiting while the pot barely bubbles, and the kitchen smells good for hours. Picking the meat off the bones is fiddly, so many cooks let the necks cool first and do it by hand.
Turkey necks are often sold in packs at the meat counter for less than most other cuts, which is part of why this soup has fed so many families on a budget. A pot made on one evening often tastes even better the next day.
Ways to celebrate
- Try simmering a pot of turkey neck soup with whatever vegetables you have.
- Ask a relative how they make turkey neck soup and write the recipe down.
- Look for smoked turkey necks at a local grocery and taste the difference.
- Share a bowl of soup with a neighbor or friend.
- Freeze extra broth in small containers for future soups.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, March 30 |
| 2027 | Tuesday, March 30 |
| 2028 | Thursday, March 30 |
| 2029 | Friday, March 30 |
| 2030 | Saturday, March 30 |
Also on March 30
Categories: Food days