Turkey Wild Rice Soup is an easy, creamy, cozy soup recipe for autumn and winter. This turkey soup is a great way to use up any leftover turkey after Thanksgiving or Christmas. So much flavor!
What’s in this Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe?
If you’re like me, you probably cooked way too much turkey for Thanksgiving, and now you’re looking for some ways to use it up. You can always default to a sandwich, but this leftover turkey soup is so much better!
- Butter + Olive Oil: Help the veggies cook without burning.
- Mirepoix: A mixture of onion, carrot, and celery that adds depth of flavor to the soup.
- Wild Rice: Start with uncooked wild rice or a wild rice blend. Other types of rice will work as a substitute, but it might affect cooking times.
- Baking Soda: Adding baking soda to the soup breaks down the tough rice fibers and reduces cooking time, so don’t skip it!
- Fresh Thyme: Adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor.
- Dry White Wine: Adds a balancing acidity to the soup. Choose a wine you’d like to drink, such as Chardonnay or Riesling.
- Broth: Use a low-sodium chicken broth or turkey broth.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor of the soup.
- Heavy Cream: Makes this soup creamy.
- Cooked Turkey: You can use any leftover turkey in this recipe. Shredded leftovers from your Thanksgiving turkey work well, or simply dice up a turkey breast.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have leftover turkey, don’t worry. You can make some for this recipe any way you like, just make sure it’s fully cooked before adding it to the soup.
Variations on Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
This soup is super versatile! You can use different vegetables, like broccoli, peas, or green beans; different rice, like brown or white; and different meat, like shredded chicken. Feel free to get creative!
You can keep cooked turkey in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days. That’s why I like to use it up in recipes like this, so it doesn’t go to waste!
If you prefer chicken, try this chicken wild rice soup recipe instead!
Cooking the wild rice is part of the process in this one-pot recipe. So the rice will get some cooking time before the rest of the ingredients are added in to make the soup.
The baking soda helps to break down tough fibers in the rice, which means the soup will cook a little bit faster.
First, make sure you are using regular/dry rice and not par-boiled rice (like instant rice). If the rice still comes out soggy, it probably soaked up too much liquid by cooking in the soup for too long.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover turkey wild rice soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a saucepan set over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
I do not recommend freezing this soup, as it will take on a grainy texture as it thaws.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty leftover turkey soup with some skillet bread for dipping and a kale Caesar salad to make you feel extra healthy after the holiday.
5-Star Review
“This was so good! Perfect for holiday leftovers or just a cold day comfort food! Saving recipe to make many more times!” – Lisa Marie
Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 3 carrots peeled and chopped
- 1 rib celery diced, optional
- 1 cup dry wild rice or a wild rice blend
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda (see note)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ cup dry white wine a good, drinkable wine
- 4-5 cups low-sodium chicken broth or turkey broth, divided
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups cooked turkey chopped or shredded
Instructions
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat and add butter and oil.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Add onion, carrots, celery and dry rice. Cook 6-8 minutes or until the vegetables have softened and the rice begins to pop. Stir often.½ yellow onion, 3 carrots, 1 rib celery, 1 cup dry wild rice
- Add baking soda, thyme and wine. Cook 1 minute, stirring often.¼ teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, ½ cup dry white wine
- Add 4 cups broth, salt and pepper and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low (simmer and cover. Cook, covered, 30 minutes. Check the rice and if it isn’t softened, cook an additional 10 minutes with the lid on.1½ teaspoons kosher salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 4-5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Remove the lid, add cream and turkey and cook 30-60 minutes or until the soup reduces and thickens. (If the soup is too thin, whisk in 2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch that has been mixed with ¼ cup cold heavy cream. Bring just to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook until soup has desired consistency. If soup is too thick, add an additional 1-cup broth.)1 cup heavy cream, 3 cups cooked turkey
- Season, to taste, with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- Note: Adding baking soda to the soup breaks down the tough rice fibers and reduces cooking time, so don’t skip it!
- Use a chicken or turkey broth with no added salt, or low-sodium.
- After cooking, if the soup is too thick, stir in an additional 1 cup of broth.
- If the soup is too thin, add flour or cornstarch to thicken.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- If you don’t have leftover turkey, don’t worry. You can make some for this recipe any way you like, just make sure it’s fully cooked before adding it into the soup.
Nutrition Information
This recipe worked exactly as written, I used all organic ingredients, and it was hearty and a delicious meal for my husband to enjoy with me after he played hockey on a rainy November night. I will make this again!
Looks delicious, Su!
Plan on making this soon since it looks so delicious. Just wondering if I could use half & half rather than heavy cream? Thanks!
Yes, but it will be less rich/creamy!
I made this recipe once before and loved it, however, I don’t remember what type of wild rice mix I used. This time I used the Ben’s Original Fast Cook Long Grain & Wild Rice mix in a box with the seasoning packet…is that they type of wild rice to use for this or is there a plain kind available not in a box? Thanks!
It exists, you will just have to check with your local grocers!
I have made this a few times and I have to finally leave a review and say that we love it! It is so creamy, flavorful and satisfying. Thank you.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Joanna!
Soup was great. Super simple. I think it’s brilliant the way you put the quantity for each ingredient below each step of the recipe. Saves a lot of scrolling back to the ingredient list.
Thank for stopping by, Dennis!
Made it exactly per recipe. The color was a bit darker than photos, but the aroma that filled the house was heavenly. Used only the dark leftover turkey meat that no one generally eats in my family. Perfect use for it. BEST SOUP I’VE EVER MADE! Can’t wait to make it again!
Thanks for sharing, Nina!
Loved this recipe! I didn’t have white wine, added more homemade broth. Also added a cup of butter sauteed mushrooms and a bit of red pepper flakes. Delicious!
Sounds amazing!
My husband and I really loved this easy recipe! I added some garlic and rosemary and it was delicious! Thank you:)
Thanks for sharing with us, Grace!
This soup is amazing & easy to make! I followed the recipe exactly; with the exception I used jasmine rice vs. wild rice. Perfect for leftover Turkey!
Looks absolutely delicious, Lesa!
This was so good! Perfect for holiday leftovers or just a cold day comfort food! Saving recipe to make many more times!
Thanks for sharing, Lisa!