If you’re looking for a soul-warming meal on a chilly day, the Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe is about to become your new favorite. It’s rich, comforting, and overflowing with tender pieces of turkey, hearty wild rice, and vibrant veggies, all swimming in a creamy, herb-infused broth. Whether you’re using up leftover holiday turkey or simply craving a robust homemade soup, this dish brings everything you love about classic comfort food right to your table, in just over an hour.

Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe plays an important role. From the aromatic vegetables that create a flavorful base to the wild rice that adds texture and earthiness, you’ll find this list both simple and essential—nothing fussy, just wholesome, kitchen staples coming together in perfect harmony.

Butter or Olive Oil: Adds richness to the base and helps sauté those veggies to golden perfection.
Onion: Diced small for a savory sweetness that melts right into the broth.
Carrots: Bring a pop of color and subtle sweetness.
Celery: Adds crunch and an aromatic punch that balances the flavors.
Garlic: For depth and warmth—don’t skip this fragrant favorite!
Dried Thyme: A classic herb that pairs perfectly with poultry and gives earthy undertones.
Dried Rosemary: Just a hint adds lovely flavor without overpowering the soup.
Salt: Essential for seasoning—feel free to adjust to taste.
Black Pepper: A little bit goes a long way in enhancing every ingredient.
Uncooked Wild Rice: Chewy, nutty, and the star grain in this dish; it holds up beautifully in soup.
Chicken or Turkey Broth: The flavorful liquid backbone—use homemade if you have it for even more depth.
Cooked Turkey: Shredded or diced; leftover roast turkey works wonderfully here!
Whole Milk or Half-and-Half: Adds the creaminess that turns this soup into a dreamy, velvety bowl.
All-Purpose Flour (optional): Helps thicken the soup for a more luxurious texture, but you can skip for a gluten-free version.
Fresh Parsley: The garnish that brightens every spoonful with color and freshness.

How to Make Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by melting the butter or warming olive oil in a generous pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Toss in the onions, carrots, and celery, and let them cook together for 5–7 minutes, stirring often. You want the veggies to soften and the onions to turn slightly translucent—this is when the kitchen starts to smell amazing.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Herbs

Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Allow everything to cook for 1–2 minutes more. This step is all about building layers of flavor; the heat will activate the herbs and bring out their fragrant oils.

Step 3: Simmer the Rice

Add the uncooked wild rice and pour in the chicken or turkey broth. Turn up the heat and bring everything to a gentle boil. Once boiling, lower the heat so the soup is just barely simmering and cover the pot. Let it cook undisturbed for 45–50 minutes, until the wild rice grains have blossomed and turned tender.

Step 4: Add the Turkey

Once the rice is tender, stir in your cooked, shredded (or diced) turkey. Simmer together for another 5–10 minutes so the turkey absorbs some broth and becomes wonderfully juicy.

Step 5: Creamy Finish

To give your Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe that irresistible creamy texture, whisk the milk or half-and-half together with the flour until smooth. Slowly stir this mixture into the soup, letting it cook for about 5 more minutes. The soup should thicken up just enough to coat a spoon. Taste and adjust any seasonings at this point.

Step 6: Serve

Ladle the soup into bowls and shower with chopped fresh parsley. Each bowl is now a cozy, satisfying meal ready to enjoy!

How to Serve Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh parsley is a must—it gives each serving a splash of color and a fresh finish. If you want to get creative, try a light sprinkle of grated Parmesan, a twist of cracked black pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the creamy richness.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs beautifully with thick slices of crusty bread or a soft dinner roll for dipping into the luscious broth. If you’re feeling fancy, a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette makes a lovely contrast to the heartiness of the Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe.

Creative Ways to Present

Impress guests by serving the soup in bread bowls or mini cocottes for individual portions. Alternatively, ladle it into wide, shallow bowls and garnish with extra wild rice and parsley for a restaurant-style presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making for an even more satisfying bowl the next day.

Freezing

This soup is freezer-friendly! To avoid any texture changes, freeze before adding the milk or cream, then add it freshly when reheating. Ladle cooled soup into containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions on the stovetop over low heat, stirring gently. If the soup is too thick, just add a splash of broth or water to reach your preferred consistency. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first.

FAQs

Can I substitute chicken for turkey in this recipe?

Absolutely! This Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe is equally delicious with cooked chicken, making it a great option year-round—and especially convenient after roasting a whole chicken.

Is there a dairy-free way to make this soup creamy?

Yes, you can use canned coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative, or simply skip the cream/milk altogether for a lighter, broth-based version of this classic comfort soup.

Can I use pre-cooked wild rice?

If you have pre-cooked wild rice on hand, add it at the same time as the turkey and simmer just until heated through. Reduce the broth by about 1–1.5 cups to ensure the soup isn’t too thin.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

The Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe is naturally gluten-free if you swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend, or omit it altogether for a slightly thinner, but still delicious, soup.

What type Soup

Any whole wild rice or a wild rice blend works beautifully. Pure wild rice offers a chewier texture and nutty flavor, but mixes with brown or black rice add color and extra heartiness.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re as excited as I am to fill your kitchen with the aromas and comfort of this Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe. It’s everything I crave in a bowl: creamy, filling, wholesome, and just right for sharing with friends or family. Give it a try—you’ll see why it’s such a beloved favorite in my home!

Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Warm up with a comforting bowl of Turkey Wild Rice Soup, a hearty and creamy soup perfect for using up leftover turkey. This soup is packed with tender turkey, aromatic vegetables, and wholesome wild rice in a flavorful broth.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Soup:

2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup uncooked wild rice
6 cups chicken or turkey broth
2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)

For Garnish:

Fresh parsley

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Instructions

Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
Add Seasonings: Stir in the garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
Cook Wild Rice: Add the wild rice and broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 45–50 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
Finish Soup: Stir in the cooked turkey and simmer for another 5–10 minutes. Whisk milk (or half-and-half) with flour until smooth, then stir into the soup and cook for another 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Adjust and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.