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Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 62 reviews

This creamy turkey wild rice soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for using leftover turkey. Loaded with aromatic vegetables, tender turkey meat, wild rice, and fresh herbs, it offers a rich and flavorful meal that warms you from the inside out. The addition of lemon juice and fresh herbs brightens the soup, while cream adds a luxurious texture. This large-batch recipe is ideal for family dinners and freezes beautifully for future meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 3 cups celery (chopped, including leaves)
  • 2 large onions (chopped)
  • 8 large carrots (shredded)
  • 4 cloves garlic (smashed and minced)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary (chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

Dairy & Fats

  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
  • 1 1/2 cups cream

Proteins

  • 4 cups leftover cooked turkey (mixture of dark and white meat)

Grains & Starches

  • 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking wild rice blend
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour

Liquids & Broth

  • 4 (31-oz) jars Zoup! Chicken Bone Broth (15 cups)
  • Juice from 1 large lemon (1/4 cup, or to taste)

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried poultry seasoning
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: In a very large stockpot, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Chop 3 cups of celery (including leaves) and 2 large onions, then add them to the melted butter.
  2. Season and Sauté: Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon dried poultry seasoning to the pot. Sauté the mixture over medium heat for 13-14 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions become translucent.
  3. Add Garlic: Stir in 4 cloves of smashed and minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Incorporate Flour: Sprinkle 1/2 cup all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 more minute to form a roux.
  5. Add Broth Gradually: Slowly pour in 15 cups of chicken bone broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  6. Add Herbs: Toss in 5 sprigs of fresh thyme and 1 bay leaf.
  7. Add Carrots and Boil: Peel and shred 8 large carrots. Add them to the pot, cover with a lid, and increase the heat to high. Bring the soup to a boil, monitoring closely to prevent boiling over.
  8. Add Turkey and Simmer: Once boiling, add 4 cups of leftover cooked turkey meat. Reduce heat to a low-medium simmer with slow bubbles. Simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes until carrots are tender.
  9. Add Wild Rice and Cook: Stir in 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking wild rice blend. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for another 15-30 minutes until rice is tender.
  10. Finish with Cream: Turn heat to low and stir in 1 1/2 cups cream for richness.
  11. Add Lemon Juice and Herbs: Stir in 1/4 cup lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Chop and add 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, 1 tablespoon fresh sage, and 2 tablespoons fresh parsley. Stir and turn off the heat.
  12. Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper according to taste. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf before serving.
  13. Serve and Garnish: Serve hot with extra fresh herbs sprinkled on top and an optional drizzle of cream.
  14. Storage: This makes a large batch suitable for freezing. Store leftover soup in airtight containers or repurpose broth jars for gifting.

Notes

  • Using shredded carrots gives the soup a lovely texture, but chopped carrots work too.
  • Feel free to substitute leftover cooked chicken for turkey.
  • The wild rice blend is quick-cooking; adjust cooking times if using a different rice.
  • Adjust lemon juice to your taste preference; start with less if unsure.
  • For a slow cooker version: sauté onions, celery, and flour in a skillet, then transfer with some broth to a crockpot and proceed with cooking as directed.
  • The soup freezes well; divide into portions before freezing.

Keywords: turkey wild rice soup, creamy soup, leftover turkey recipe, comforting soup, wild rice, fall soup

Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/creamy-turkey-wild-rice-soup-recipe/