This Turkey and Wild Rice Soup is a hearty and comforting dish, perfect for using up leftover turkey. With tender turkey, nutty wild rice, and a creamy, flavorful broth, it’s an easy one-pot meal that’s ideal for chilly days.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup wild rice, uncooked (or a wild rice blend)
- 6 cups (1.5 liters) turkey or chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or chopped
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- ½ tsp dried sage (optional, for extra holiday flavor)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup (250ml) heavy cream or whole milk
- 2 tbsp flour or cornstarch (for thickening, optional)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Cracked black pepper
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Sauté the Vegetables
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Cook the Wild Rice
- Add the wild rice, broth, thyme, rosemary, sage, and bay leaf to the pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 40–45 minutes, until the rice is tender.
3. Add the Turkey
- Stir in the cooked turkey and let simmer for another 5–10 minutes to heat through.
- Remove the bay leaf.
4. Make It Creamy (Optional)
- In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp flour or cornstarch with a little water to form a paste.
- Stir into the soup to thicken it.
- Pour in the heavy cream or milk, stirring until well combined.
5. Serve and Enjoy
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, cracked black pepper, or Parmesan cheese.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or buttery biscuits.
Tips & Variations
- Make It Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk or leave out the cream.
- Use Leftover Turkey: Perfect for post-Thanksgiving meals!
- More Vegetables: Add mushrooms, spinach, or kale for extra nutrition.
- Shortcut Version: Use pre-cooked wild rice to cut cooking time in half.
This Turkey and Wild Rice Soup is a comforting, flavorful, and nutritious meal that’s perfect for using up leftovers while warming you up!
