Description
This Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup is hearty, comforting, and full of flavor. Made with leftover turkey, tender wild rice, shredded carrots, fresh herbs, and a bright splash of lemon, it’s the perfect cozy soup after the holidays.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 3 cups celery, chopped
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried poultry seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 15 cups chicken bone broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 8 large carrots, shredded
- 4 cups cooked leftover turkey (dark and white meat)
- 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking wild rice blend
- 1 1/2 cups cream
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 1/4 cup), to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh herbs, for garnish
Instructions
1. Melt the butter in a very large stock pot over medium heat.
2. Add chopped celery and onions along with kosher salt and poultry seasoning. Sauté for 13–14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute.
5. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
6. Add bay leaf and thyme sprigs.
7. Stir in shredded carrots, increase heat to high, cover, and bring to a boil.
8. Once boiling, add the cooked turkey. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for about 30 minutes, until carrots are tender.
9. Add wild rice blend, bring back to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15–30 minutes until rice is tender.
10. Reduce heat to low and stir in the cream.
11. Stir in lemon juice, starting with less and adjusting to taste.
12. Add chopped rosemary, sage, and parsley. Turn off heat.
13. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove thyme stems and bay leaf.
14. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs and a drizzle of cream if desired.
Notes
This soup freezes very well; store in airtight containers for later meals.
You can substitute cooked chicken for turkey if needed.
Adjust lemon juice to taste if you prefer a milder citrus flavor.
If using all wild rice, expect a longer cooking time (45–50 minutes).
Slow cooker instructions can be used for easy preparation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 394
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 102mg