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!

Turkey wild rice soup in two bowls

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Why We Love 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 up leftovers. You can always default to a sandwich, but this leftover turkey soup is so much better!

  • Easy. Throw this soup together in just a little over an hour.
  • Flavorful. Mirepoix, thyme, white wine, and chicken broth add so much depth to this soup.
  • Cozy. We stir in heavy cream to make this soup creamy and comforting.

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!

Turkey wild rice soup in a ladle
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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.

How long does leftover turkey last in the fridge?

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!

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

If you prefer chicken, try this chicken wild rice soup recipe instead!

Do you cook rice before adding it to soup?

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.

Why do you add baking soda to this soup?

The baking soda helps to break down tough fibers in the rice, which means the soup will cook a little bit faster.

How do you keep rice from getting soggy in soup?

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.

Soup served in a white bowl with a spoon

More Leftover Turkey Recipes We Love

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

Recipe Card

Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe

4.54 from 180 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Author: Becky Hardin
turkey wild rice soup in bowls
Everyone will love this creamy turkey wild rice soup recipe. It's so easy and delicious, and the ultimate post-holiday comfort food!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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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
  • 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
    sliced carrots, onions, and celery in a large pot with grains of black 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
    rice and vegetables simmering in a large pot
  • Add 4 cups broth, salt and pepper and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a 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
    soup cooking in a large pot
  • 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
    cubes of turkey being stirred into a soup
  • Season, to taste, with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Video

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.
Serving: 1bowlCalories: 333kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 18gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 598mgPotassium: 453mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 4431IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Turkey Wild Rice Soup Step by Step

Sauté the Veggies and Rice: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add ½ of a diced yellow onion, 3 peeled and chopped carrots, 1 diced rib of celery, and 1 cup of dry wild rice. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened and the rice begins to pop. Stir often.

sliced carrots, onions, and celery in a large pot with grains of black wild rice

Add the Wine: Add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves, and ½ cup of dry white wine. Cook for 1 minute, stirring often.

rice and vegetables simmering in a large pot

Cook the Soup: Add 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, 1½ teaspoons of kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a 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.

soup cooking in a large pot

Add the Cream and Turkey: Remove the lid, add 1 cup of heavy cream and 3 cups of leftover turkey, and cook for 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 the desired consistency. If the soup is too thick, add an additional 1 cup broth.) Season, to taste, with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

cubes of turkey being stirred into a soup

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.54 from 180 votes (157 ratings without comment)
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54 Comments
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Michelle
Michelle
April 10, 2024 11:38 am

I love this recipe. I have made it using wild rice or when I could not get my hands on wild rice, a box of Rice a Roni wild rice, they both turn out great. Thanks for the recipe!5 stars

Susan
Susan
November 27, 2023 9:06 pm

I made this soup and it was delicious. I boiled the carcass from the Thanksgiving turkey and used the broth and meat from that. Super easy recipe and fun to make.5 stars

Samantha Marceau
November 28, 2023 8:12 am
Reply to  Susan

We’re so glad to hear you loved this recipe, Susan!

Robin
Robin
October 1, 2023 1:15 pm

This is one of the best soups I have ever had. Great balance of flavours.5 stars

Samantha Marceau
October 9, 2023 9:22 am
Reply to  Robin

We’re so happy to hear that, Robin! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Su L
Su L
November 27, 2022 7:13 pm

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!

image.jpg
Samantha Marceau
November 28, 2022 9:31 am
Reply to  Su L

Looks delicious, Su!

TK
TK
November 27, 2022 11:21 am

Plan on making this soon since it looks so delicious. Just wondering if I could use half & half rather than heavy cream? Thanks!

Samantha Marceau
November 28, 2022 9:25 am
Reply to  TK

Yes, but it will be less rich/creamy!

Sara K
Sara K
April 26, 2022 5:13 pm

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!5 stars

Last edited 2 years ago by Sara K
Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
May 3, 2022 12:24 pm
Reply to  Sara K

It exists, you will just have to check with your local grocers!

Joanna
Joanna
April 9, 2022 6:39 pm

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.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 11, 2022 5:47 pm
Reply to  Joanna

Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Joanna!

Dennis
Dennis
March 4, 2022 3:27 pm

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.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
March 8, 2022 1:22 pm
Reply to  Dennis

Thank for stopping by, Dennis!

Nina
Nina
January 20, 2022 9:29 am

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!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 20, 2022 4:15 pm
Reply to  Nina

Thanks for sharing, Nina!

Mo
Mo
December 2, 2021 6:31 pm

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!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 10, 2021 2:29 pm
Reply to  Mo

Sounds amazing!