As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite as comforting and satisfying as a bowl of thick, hearty soup. And when it comes to utilizing those delicious holiday leftovers, few recipes rival the warmth and flavor of a homemade Turkey Wild Rice Soup. This rich and creamy concoction is not just a meal; it’s a cozy embrace, perfect for chilly evenings and a smart way to transform your post-holiday bounty into something truly special.
The holiday season often leaves us with an abundance of turkey – a testament to festive gatherings and generous cooking. While a delicious roast turkey is undoubtedly the centerpiece of many celebrations, the sheer volume of leftovers can sometimes be a delightful challenge. I confess, while I appreciate a well-cooked turkey, I often find myself gravitating towards chicken for everyday meals. However, this past year, my turkey turned out exceptionally moist and flavorful, largely thanks to the consistent heat of my electric roaster. Everyone at the dinner table raved about it, but even after seconds (and thirds!), there was still a significant amount of turkey remaining.
Freezing leftover turkey is always an option, but this year, I was determined to create something fresh and exciting that would make the most of its deliciousness immediately. And that’s how the idea for this incredibly comforting Turkey Wild Rice Soup was born. It’s a brilliant solution for giving your holiday bird a second life, transforming it into a meal that feels entirely new and utterly delicious. This soup showcases how simple ingredients, combined with a little creativity, can elevate leftovers into a gourmet experience.
Hearty & Comforting Turkey Wild Rice Soup
This Turkey Wild Rice Soup is a culinary dream come true, especially when you’re looking to whip up something truly satisfying with minimal extra effort after a big holiday meal. What makes this recipe particularly convenient is its reliance on ingredients you likely already have on hand from your Thanksgiving or Christmas preparations. This approach not only saves you a trip to the grocery store but also helps reduce food waste, turning scraps into a sensational supper.
Utilizing Your Holiday Leftovers for This Creamy Soup:
- Fresh Herbs: The fragrant trio of sage, thyme, and rosemary, often bought fresh for holiday stuffing or turkey seasoning, find a glorious new purpose here, infusing the soup with deep, earthy aromas.
- Dairy Delights: Half and Half, Heavy Cream, and 2% milk—these creamy staples, essential for many holiday recipes, contribute to the soup’s incredibly rich and velvety texture.
- Cooked Turkey: Both dark and white meat from your roasted bird are perfect. The tender, already-cooked turkey makes for a quick addition, lending robust flavor without additional cooking time.
- Essential Veggies: Diced celery and carrots, often leftover from crudités platters or side dishes, form the foundational aromatic base of this hearty soup.
While I typically have most of these ingredients readily available, there’s always that one item that seems to elude me. In my case, it was onions! A quick trip to the market remedied that, proving that even the most prepared cook might need a last-minute dash for an essential ingredient. Sweet onion, in particular, adds a lovely depth and subtle sweetness to the savory profile of the soup.
The result of combining these humble yet potent ingredients is a soup that is wonderfully thick, exceptionally creamy, bursting with complex flavors, and profoundly comforting. Every spoonful is a testament to resourceful cooking, offering a luxurious texture and a taste that evokes warmth and satisfaction. This recipe yields approximately ten 1-cup servings, each coming in at around 294 calories, making it a surprisingly balanced and wholesome meal option. It’s hearty enough to be a main course but light enough not to feel overly indulgent.
Perfect Pairings for Your Turkey Wild Rice Soup:
This versatile soup pairs beautifully with a variety of accompaniments, enhancing the overall dining experience. Consider serving it with:
- Crispy Grilled Cheese: The ultimate classic pairing. The salty, gooey cheese perfectly complements the creamy soup.
- Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls: Ideal for soaking up every last drop of the rich broth. A warm, artisanal loaf is always a winner.
- A Simple Side Salad: A light, fresh green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the soup’s richness.
- Garlic Knots or Breadsticks: Another fantastic option for dipping and adding a savory crunch.
I genuinely hope you find as much joy and comfort in preparing and savoring this delightful Turkey Wild Rice Soup as I do. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of holiday memories and the ingenious art of transforming leftovers into something extraordinary.
Turkey Wild Rice Soup (Leftover Turkey + Fresh Herbs!)
10 servings
15 minutes
30 minutes
1 hour
1 hour 45 minutes
This Turkey Wild Rice Soup is a wonderfully thick and hearty meal, absolutely perfect for a chilly day. It’s the ideal recipe to use up your delicious leftover turkey, aromatic herbs, and fresh vegetables from your holiday dinner, transforming them into a comforting and flavorful soup!
Ingredients
- 3/4 C uncooked wild rice blend
- 1 C chopped sweet onion
- 1 C diced carrots
- 1 C diced celery
- 7 tbsp butter, divided (1 tbsp and 6 tbsp)
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 4 1/2 C organic vegetable broth
- 1 to 2 tsp of fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 to 2 tsp of fresh sage, chopped
- 1 to 2 tsp of fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 lb of cooked turkey, chopped or shredded
- 1/2 C all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 C reduced fat milk (2% milk)
- 1/4 C half and half
- 1/4 C heavy cream
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Wild Rice: Cook the wild rice blend according to package directions. This can be done on the stovetop or in a rice cooker. Set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the diced carrots, celery, and chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, which should take about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Build the Broth Base: Pour in the vegetable broth and add the fresh chopped thyme, sage, and rosemary. Stir everything well to combine the flavors.
- Combine with Rice and Turkey: Add the prepared cooked wild rice blend and the chopped or shredded cooked turkey to the pot. Stir gently and allow the mixture to simmer while you prepare the creamy milk base.
- Prepare the Roux: In a separate medium saucepan, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute, whisking constantly to create a roux. The mixture might be quite thick; this is perfectly normal.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Slowly and gradually stir in the 2% milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- Combine & Simmer: Pour the milk mixture (roux) into the large pot with the soup base. Stir thoroughly until well combined. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for an additional 30 minutes. This simmering time is crucial for allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and for the wild rice to become even more tender.
- Finish with Cream: Just before serving, stir in the half and half and heavy cream until fully incorporated.
- Season to Taste: Taste the soup and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
Notes
*The “Additional Time” in the recipe card accounts for approximately 55 minutes needed to cook the wild rice blend according to typical package instructions. You can certainly prepare the wild rice ahead of time to shorten your active cooking duration for the soup itself.
Nutrition information provided is an approximate calculation based on My Fitness Pal and may vary depending on specific ingredients and brands used.
This recipe is adapted from Cooking Classy’s delightful Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, with modifications for turkey and specific ingredients.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10
Serving Size: 1 C
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 294
Total Fat: 17.5g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 41mg
Sodium: 292mg
Carbohydrates: 20.3g
Fiber: 2.3g
Sugar: 4.7g
Protein: 14.1g
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