Turkey Wild Rice Soup

Here's a delicious recipe for Turkey Wild Rice Soup, perfect for using up leftover turkey!

Turkey Wild Rice Soup

This hearty and comforting soup is packed with tender turkey, earthy wild rice, and a medley of vegetables in a creamy broth.

Yields: 6-8 servings

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 45-55 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium)
• 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium)
• 1 cup chopped celery (about 2 stalks)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups turkey or chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend (rinse well)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried sage
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Sauté Vegetables: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add Broth and Rice: Pour in the turkey broth. Add the rinsed wild rice blend, dried thyme, and dried sage. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes, or until the wild rice is tender.
3. Prepare Roux: While the rice is simmering, melt the butter in a separate medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a smooth roux.
4. Make Cream Sauce: Gradually whisk in the milk into the roux until smooth and thickened. If using, stir in the heavy cream. Cook for a few more minutes, stirring, until the sauce is creamy and gently simmering. Remove from heat.
5. Combine and Finish: Once the wild rice is tender, stir the cooked turkey into the soup pot. Gradually whisk the cream sauce into the soup, stirring until fully combined and the soup is creamy. Heat gently over low heat until warmed through, being careful not to boil after adding the milk/cream. Taste and adjust seasonings (salt, pepper, more herbs) as needed.
6. Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Enjoy your delicious Turkey Wild Rice Soup!