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Cozy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup – Easy Leftover Recipe

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This cozy turkey and wild rice soup is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey after a holiday meal. It’s quick, easy, and unbelievably comforting, with a creamy texture that comes from a clever blending trick rather than heavy cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (about ½ cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon dried sage (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup wild rice blend
  • 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and the onion is translucent.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
  4. Stir in the wild rice blend. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until the rice is tender but still has a slight bite.
  5. Stir in the shredded turkey and let it warm through for about 5 minutes.
  6. Scoop out about 1 cup of the soup (mostly liquid and some rice) and blend until smooth. Stir it back into the pot to create a creamy texture.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Let simmer for another 2-3 minutes until hot and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread or crackers.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, swap butter for olive oil and use full-fat coconut milk instead of cream. The soup tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. If freezing, leave out the cream and add it when reheating. Wild rice blends vary in cooking time; check at 30 minutes and adjust accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey soup, wild rice soup, leftover turkey, Thanksgiving leftovers, cozy soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/cozy-turkey-and-wild-rice-soup-easy-leftover-recipe/