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Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe

4.8 from 108 reviews

This comforting Turkey Wild Rice Soup combines tender turkey, nutty wild rice, and fresh vegetables in a creamy broth, making it a perfect hearty meal for chilly days. Enhanced with fresh thyme and white wine, this soup offers rich, layered flavors while using wholesome ingredients for a nourishing bowl.

Ingredients

Scale

Fats and Oils

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (¼ stick)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Vegetables

  • ½ yellow onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 rib celery, diced (optional)

Grains and Seasonings

  • 1 cup dry wild rice or wild rice blend
  • ¼ tsp baking soda (see note)
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

Liquids and Broth

  • ½ cup dry white wine (a good, drinkable wine)
  • 45 cups low-sodium chicken broth or turkey broth, divided

Additional Ingredients

  • 1½ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup heavy cream (can substitute coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 3 cups cooked turkey, chopped or shredded

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery (if using). Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add Wild Rice and Baking Soda: Stir in the wild rice and baking soda, mixing well to coat the rice and vegetables. The baking soda helps soften the rice and reduce cooking time. Cook for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast the rice.
  3. Incorporate Thyme and Wine: Add the fresh thyme leaves followed by the dry white wine. Stir and allow the wine to reduce slightly, about 2-3 minutes, which helps concentrate its flavor.
  4. Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in 4 cups of the low-sodium chicken or turkey broth. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  5. Simmer the Soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer gently for 35-45 minutes, or until the wild rice is tender but still chewy. Add additional broth if the soup becomes too thick during cooking.
  6. Add Cooked Turkey and Cream: Stir in the cooked turkey and heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free version). Heat the soup gently just until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Avoid boiling after adding cream to prevent curdling.
  7. Adjust Seasonings and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra thyme or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

  • Baking soda helps to tenderize the wild rice and reduce cooking time without imparting any off-flavors.
  • Using a good quality drinkable white wine enhances the depth of flavor; choose something you enjoy drinking.
  • For a dairy-free option, substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk.
  • If you prefer a thicker or thinner soup, adjust the amount of broth accordingly.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Keywords: Turkey Wild Rice Soup, creamy turkey soup, wild rice soup, leftover turkey recipe, comforting soup