Description
This creamy Wild Rice Soup is a hearty and comforting dish packed with tender wild rice, fresh vegetables, and rich savory flavors. Ideal for chilly days, meal prepping, or a simple family dinner, this classic American soup is filling, nourishing, and easily adaptable to vegetarian diets.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (optional)
Cream Mixture
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Rinse Wild Rice: Thoroughly rinse the wild rice under cold running water to remove any debris or excess starch.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter or heat the olive oil. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery, cooking for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Mushrooms: Stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms if using, cooking for an additional minute to release their aromas.
- Combine Rice and Broth: Add the rinsed wild rice to the pot along with the chicken or vegetable broth, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 45–50 minutes, or until the wild rice is tender and cooked through.
- Prepare Cream Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and heavy cream (or half-and-half) until smooth without lumps.
- Thicken Soup: Slowly pour the cream mixture into the simmering soup while stirring continuously to avoid clumps.
- Add Chicken and Simmer: If using, add the shredded cooked chicken to the soup. Simmer the soup uncovered for another 10 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the chicken.
- To make the soup thicker, blend 1–2 cups of the soup and return it to the pot.
- This soup stores well refrigerated for up to 4 days; it will thicken as it sits, so add extra broth when reheating.
- For best texture when freezing, omit the cream and add it fresh upon reheating.
- To make the recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free flour in the cream mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
