Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Turkey Wild Rice Soup is a warm, comforting, and hearty dish combining tender turkey, nutty wild rice, and fresh vegetables in a rich broth. Perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep, it is quick to prepare, nutritious, and easily customizable to suit various dietary preferences.
- Author: Kaeli
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
Grains
- 1 cup wild rice blend, rinsed
Vegetables
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
- 6 cups chicken or turkey broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk (optional)
Fats & Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon fresh or 1/3 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prep the Vegetables: Finely chop the onions, carrots, and celery into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and a flavorful base for the soup.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Then stir in the carrots and celery and cook for another 5 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add Broth and Wild Rice: Pour in the chicken or turkey broth and bring it to a simmer. Stir in the rinsed wild rice, cover the pot, and let it cook gently for 40–50 minutes until the rice is tender but still chewy.
- Incorporate Turkey and Herbs: Add the shredded or diced turkey along with fresh or dried thyme and parsley. Let the soup heat through for about 5–7 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
- Finish with Cream and Season: Stir in heavy cream or milk if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the soup to warm gently for a couple of minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use day-old turkey for best texture, as it is drier and holds up well in the soup.
- Rinse wild rice thoroughly before cooking to remove any grit and improve texture.
- Simmer the soup gently on low heat to prevent the wild rice from becoming mushy.
- Add fresh herbs at the end of cooking to preserve their vibrant flavor and color.
- When reheating, warm the soup slowly over low heat to prevent curdling if cream is included.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: turkey soup, wild rice soup, comfort food, leftover turkey recipe, hearty soup, gluten free soup, fall recipe, easy soup