Turtle Soup

Name: Turtle Soup
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 6 tbsp unsalted butter; 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20); 6 tbsp all-purpose flour; 2 medium yellow onion, finely diced; 4 celery stalks, finely diced; 1 green bell pepper, finely diced; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 1 can canned diced tomatoes; 6 cups beef stock; 1/3 cup dry sherry; 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tsp Cajun seasoning blend; 2 dried bay leaves; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; 4 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped; 2 lemon, cut into wedges; 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped; 1/2 tsp kosher salt

105 minHardServes 6360 cal/serving

CajunSoupStovetopStandardHigh ProteinCorn-Free

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Ingredients

6 tbsp unsalted butter
1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20)
6 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
4 celery stalks, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 can canned diced tomatoes
6 cups beef stock
1/3 cup dry sherry
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp Cajun seasoning blend
2 dried bay leaves
1/2 tsp dried thyme
4 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
2 lemon, cut into wedges
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Instructions

1

Melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20) and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 8-10 minutes. Do not drain.
2

Reduce heat to medium. Sprinkle 6 tbsp all-purpose flour over the beef and stir constantly for 3-4 minutes to make a roux.
3

Add 2 medium finely diced yellow onion, 4 finely diced celery stalks, and 1 finely diced green bell pepper. Cook, stirring, for 6-7 minutes until softened.
4

Add 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp Cajun seasoning blend, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 2 dried bay leaves. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5

Stir in 1 can canned diced tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
6

Gradually pour in 6 cups beef stock, stirring to incorporate. Add 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
7

Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes until thickened and flavors have melded.
8

Stir in 1/3 cup dry sherry and simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaves.
9

Ladle into bowls. Top each serving with 4 finely chopped hard-boiled eggs and 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley. Serve with 2 cut into wedges lemon for squeezing.

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Questions

What is Turtle Soup?

A classic New Orleans restaurant staple made with ground beef, a rich dark roux, and a splash of sherry - a traditional approximation of the original that delivers the same bold, complex flavors. Finished tableside with dry sherry and a squeeze of lemon. This reference files it under Cajun soup: made on the stovetop, rated hard and about 105 minutes start to finish.

How much time should I plan for Turtle Soup?

As written, 105 minutes: 30 of prep and 75 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 7 (45 minutes): "Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes until thickened and flavors have melded."

What internal temperature should Turtle Soup reach?

For Turtle Soup, the target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 1. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Is there a substitute for Worcestershire sauce in Turtle Soup?

The entry for Turtle Soup calls for 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce. In its place: Soy sauce with a few drops of vinegar and a pinch of sugar.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Turtle Soup?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Turtle Soup uses 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20).

Can I make Turtle Soup gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Turtle Soup is 6 tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works); the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

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