Turkey Wild Rice Soup: Easy Leftover Recipe
Got leftover turkey sitting in your fridge? Turn it into this amazing Turkey Wild Rice Soup! It’s warm, cozy, and so easy to make. I absolutely love how the wild rice gets all nutty and chewy. And when you mix it with tender turkey pieces? Pure magic!
The veggies add a nice pop of color and freshness. Plus, that creamy broth pulls everything together perfectly. My family asks for this soup all winter long.
Honestly, sometimes I think they like it more than the actual Thanksgiving dinner! It’s comfort food at its best, and you’re going to love every spoonful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This soup uses simple ingredients that you probably already have at home. Check the recipe card below for all the exact amounts and the full list!
- Turkey: Use your leftover turkey from dinner. It adds great flavor and protein to every bite you take.
- Wild Rice: This gives you that nutty taste and chewy texture. It makes the soup super filling and satisfying, too.
- Carrots: These add sweetness and a bright orange color. Plus, they’re packed with vitamins your body needs.
- Celery: Brings that fresh crunch and helps build the base flavor. It works so well with the turkey.
- Onion: This creates the yummy base for your soup. It gets sweet and soft when you cook it right.
- Garlic: Just a few cloves add so much flavor! It makes everything smell amazing while it cooks.
- Chicken or Turkey Broth: This is the liquid that holds everything together. Good broth makes all the difference here.
- Heavy Cream: Makes your soup rich and smooth. Every spoonful feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
- Fresh Thyme: This herb goes perfectly with turkey. It adds a nice earthy flavor throughout your soup.
How to Make Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Making this soup is easier than you think! Just follow along and build up those flavors step by step. You’ll have a delicious meal ready before you know it.
Step 1: Rinse and Prepare the Wild Rice
First, rinse your wild rice really well under cold water. Use a strainer with small holes so the rice doesn’t fall through. This gets rid of any dirt and makes it taste cleaner.
Step 2: Saute the Aromatics
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in your big pot over medium heat. Toss in your onion, carrots, and celery. Cook them for about 6-7 minutes until they get soft. Then add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute.
Step 3: Add Rice and Broth
Now dump in the wild rice with 6 cups of broth and 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme. Turn up the heat and bring it to a boil. Then turn it down low, put the lid on, and let it simmer for 40-45 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Turkey
Stir in 3 cups of your shredded turkey and keep it simmering for 10 more minutes. This heats the turkey through and lets it soak up all those yummy flavors from the broth.
Step 5: Create the Creamy Base
Time to make it creamy! Mix in ½ cup of heavy cream and stir it gently. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Taste it and add more if you want!
Step 6: Final Touches and Serve
Take it off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. This helps all the flavors blend together perfectly. Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top… ENJOY!
Tips for the Best Turkey Wild Rice Soup
- Use really good broth because it makes a huge difference! If you can, make stock from your turkey bones for the best flavor ever.
- Don’t cook the wild rice too long, or it gets mushy. You want it tender but still a bit chewy.
- Add the cream at the very end so it doesn’t separate or get weird when you reheat it.
- Cut your turkey into small pieces so it’s easier to eat and spreads through the whole soup.
- Taste before serving since different broths have different salt levels!
Variations and Substitutions
Want to mix things up? This soup is super flexible, and you can change it based on what’s in your kitchen. Here are some fun ideas to try!
- Brown Rice Swap: No wild rice? Use brown rice instead! Just cook it for only 35 minutes since it cooks faster.
- Dairy-Free Option: Skip the cream and use coconut milk. Get the full-fat kind for the best creamy texture without any dairy.
- Vegetable Additions: Throw in some spinach, kale, or mushrooms in the last 5 minutes. More veggies means more good stuff for you!
- Chicken Alternative: Use store-bought rotisserie chicken or turkey from Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup. It’s quick and easy and tastes great too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes! Actually, it tastes even better the next day. All the flavors get to know each other overnight. Just keep it covered in your fridge for up to 4 days.
How should I store leftover turkey wild rice soup?
Let the soup cool down completely first. Then put it in containers with tight lids. It stays fresh in the fridge for 4 days or in the freezer for 3 months.
Can I freeze turkey wild rice soup?
You totally can! The cream might separate a tiny bit when you thaw it. Just freeze in portions, thaw in the fridge overnight, and stir while you reheat it gently.
What to serve with turkey wild rice soup?
Try it with a fresh Kale Caesar Salad, Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread, or soft Pumpkin Dinner Rolls. Any of these makes it a full meal that everyone will love!
Why is my wild rice still crunchy?
Wild rice takes a while to cook, about 40-45 minutes. If it’s still hard, just keep simmering it. Add more broth if you need to. It’s done when the grains pop open.
Can I use white rice instead of wild rice?
Sure! But it cooks way faster, only 15-18 minutes. Wild rice has more flavor and better texture, though. But white rice works in a pinch!
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
YES! Put everything except the cream and turkey in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Then add the turkey and cream for the last 30 minutes.
Turkey Wild Rice Soup: Easy Leftover Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup wild rice, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 cups chicken or turkey broth
- 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Rinse wild rice under cold water using a strainer. This removes dirt and makes it taste better and cleaner.
- Melt butter in your big pot over medium heat. Wait until it gets foamy and smells really good all over.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 6-7 minutes until soft. Stir them around so they don’t stick.
- Throw in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir constantly so the garlic doesn’t burn at all on the bottom.
- Add wild rice, broth, and thyme to the pot. Turn the heat to high and bring it to a big rolling boil.
- Turn the heat to low, put the lid on, and simmer 40-45 minutes. The rice should get tender and a bit chewy.
- Stir in shredded turkey and simmer 10 more minutes. This heats the turkey all the way through nicely and evenly.
- Add heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Stir gently and don’t let it boil. Boiling will make the cream look weird and separated.
- Take it off the heat and let it rest 5 minutes. This helps all those yummy flavors blend together really nicely.
- Scoop into bowls, sprinkle fresh parsley on top, and serve hot. Grab some bread or salad to go with it!
Notes
- Wild rice cooking time varies by brand. Taste it while cooking to check if it’s done and tender enough.
- Homemade turkey stock from the bones gives a deeper flavor. It’s way better than the store-bought kind if you can.
- Soup gets thicker when it sits in the fridge overnight. Just add more broth when you reheat it tomorrow for perfect consistency.
- Dark turkey meat tastes richer than white meat. Or mix both kinds together for the very best flavor and texture.
- Try adding white wine to the broth for a fancy flavor. Just a splash makes it taste extra special and delicious!
