Instant Pot Spiced Turkey and Zucchini Noodle Soup
A light yet flavorful soup combining ground turkey, spiralized zucchini noodles, and warming spices, all cooked quickly in the Instant Pot for a healthy meal. This american-inspired whole30 (whole30) ready in about 35 minutes pairs pound ground turkey, medium, peeled and diced carrots, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 3 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchini
- 2 medium, peeled and diced carrots
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 6 cups, low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Turn the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode and heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add 1 pound ground turkey and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned but not fully cooked.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 diced carrots, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano to the pot. Sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and onions soften.
- Step 3: Pour in 6 cups low sodium chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cancel 'Sauté' mode, secure lid, and set the Instant Pot to 'Manual' high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: When cooking completes, perform a quick release. Open the lid and stir in 3 spiralized medium zucchinis, then set to 'Sauté' mode again and cook for 3-4 minutes until zucchini noodles are tender but firm.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Spiced Turkey and Zucchini Noodle Soup take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Instant Pot Spiced Turkey and Zucchini Noodle Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pound ground turkey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Spiced Turkey and Zucchini Noodle Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Instant Pot Spiced Turkey and Zucchini Noodle Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Instant Pot Spiced Turkey and Zucchini Noodle Soup whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
