Description
Hearty and comforting Turkey Wild Rice Soup combines tender cooked turkey with nutty wild rice, fresh vegetables, and creamy broth. This flavorful soup is perfect for warming up on chilly days and makes excellent use of leftover turkey.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 rib celery, diced (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
Grains and Seasonings
- 1 cup dry wild rice or wild rice blend
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Liquids
- ½ cup dry white wine (a good, drinkable wine)
- 4–5 cups low-sodium chicken broth or turkey broth, divided
- 1 cup heavy cream (can substitute with coconut milk for dairy-free)
Protein
- 3 cups cooked turkey, chopped or shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat until the butter is melted and fragrant. Add the diced onion, chopped carrots, and celery if using, sautéing until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the rice and seasoning: Stir in the wild rice and baking soda. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the rice lightly, which will enhance its nutty flavor.
- Deglaze with wine: Pour in the dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to incorporate flavor. Let the wine reduce slightly for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add broth and herbs: Add 4 cups of the chicken or turkey broth along with the fresh thyme leaves, kosher salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer gently until the wild rice is tender, about 45-50 minutes. If needed, add up to 1 cup more broth to maintain desired soup consistency during cooking.
- Add the turkey and cream: Once the rice is tender, stir in the chopped turkey and heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free). Warm the soup through over low heat without boiling to avoid curdling the cream, about 5-7 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread or your favorite side.
Notes
- Baking soda helps soften the wild rice, reducing cooking time and improving texture.
- Using a good quality dry white wine adds depth, but it can be omitted or replaced with additional broth if preferred.
- This soup can easily be made dairy-free by substituting heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk.
- Leftover turkey works beautifully for this recipe, making it a great post-holiday meal.
- Wild rice takes longer to cook than white rice; ensure it’s tender before adding turkey and cream.
Keywords: Turkey Soup, Wild Rice Soup, Comfort Food, Leftover Turkey Recipe, Creamy Soup, Hearty Soup