Turkey and Okra Soup with Barley and Bacon

Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 480 min
Servings: 15
Yield: 15 servings

Description

Turkey, bacon, and garlic are simmered with herbs in this barley and okra soup in a slow cooker that is a great warm meal on cold evenings.

Ingredients

4 quarts turkey broth
3 cubes chicken bouillon
1 pound thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch square pieces
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound cubed cooked turkey
1 red onion, sliced
1 cup barley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 pound okra, sliced
1/2 bunch fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

1 Combine turkey broth and chicken bouillon in a slow cooker.
2 Place bacon in a skillet over medium heat; add garlic and black pepper. Cook and stir until bacon is crispy, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; blot to remove as much fat as possible.
3 Stir bacon mixture into the slow cooker. Add turkey, red onion, barley, rosemary, salt, and Italian seasoning.
4 Cook, stirring every half hour, on Low for 7 1/2 hours (or high for 3 1/2 hours). Stir okra and parsley into soup and continue cooking for 30 minutes more.
5 Cool soup to room temperature and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight. Skim any solid fat off the top and heat soup on the stovetop.