Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup: A Cozy Dinner to Warm Your Soul
Honestly, nothing hits quite like a bowl of leftover turkey wild rice soup on a chilly night. You know? It’s the kind of dish that just feels like a hug in a bowl, especially when you’re not sure what to do with all that extra turkey after a big dinner. First, you toss in familiar veggies and that wild rice, and suddenly those leftovers aren’t just sitting in your fridge—they’re the start of a cozy dinner you’ll actually look forward to.
So, if you’re craving something warm, homemade, and a little nostalgic, this soup’s got your back. Wait—did I mention how easy it is? Well, keep reading, because you’ll want to make this again and again.
Personal Anecdote
I remember the first time I made leftover turkey wild rice soup. It was one of those late November nights, the kind where you can’t shake off the chill, and the fridge was packed with containers of turkey. Honestly, I didn’t want another plain turkey sandwich. So, I tossed things in a big pot, hoping for the best. Turns out, it was way better than I expected—my family still asks for it every year, right after the holidays.
Why This Recipe is Special
What makes this soup stand out? Well actually, it’s sort of a dinner hero. You get that hearty, earthy flavor from wild rice, plus the comfort of creamy, savory broth. And it’s such a great way to give leftovers a second life, especially when you’re tired of the same old meals. Also, it’s perfect for Dinner because it fills you up without feeling heavy, and the leftovers (if you have any) are even better the next day. If you love cozy soups, you might wanna check out Best Easy White Chicken Chili Cozy Creamy Family Approved Soup too.
Ingredients breakdown
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Onion, chopped | 1 medium |
| Carrots, peeled & chopped | 2 medium |
| Celery, chopped | 3 stalks |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp |
| Butter | 2 tbsp |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves |
| Italian seasoning | 1/4 tsp (or to taste) |
| Flour | 3 heaping tbsp |
| Chicken broth | 6 cups |
| Wild rice, uncooked | 1 cup |
| Cooked turkey meat | 2 cups or more |
| Cremini mushrooms, sliced | 7 oz |
| Salt & pepper | to taste |
| Heavy or whipping cream (optional) | 1/2 cup |
Utensils and substitutions
So, you’ll want a good-sized soup pot—don’t try to squeeze this into a small one, trust me, I did that once and it was a mess. A sharp knife for chopping veggies, and maybe a whisk for blending in the flour. If you don’t have wild rice, brown rice can work in a pinch, but you’ll miss that chewy bite wild rice brings. Oh, and if you’re out of cream, just skip it or use a splash of milk—nobody’s judging. For more dinner ideas, I sometimes look at Pumpkin Butter Chicken Dinner Recipes when I want something different, you know? Also, for tips on keeping leftovers safe, check out foodsafety.gov—they’ve got all the details you might forget (like, how long turkey really lasts in the fridge!).
Step-by-step method
Step 1
First, gather all your ingredients for leftover turkey wild rice soup. Chop up the onion, carrots, and celery. Sometimes, I get a little lazy and just do a rough chop, but honestly, it works out alright. Heat olive oil and butter in a big soup pot over medium-high heat, then toss in your veggies and let them cook for about 7 minutes. Stir them so they don’t stick.
Step 2
After the veggies have softened, add garlic, Italian seasoning, and flour. Stir well and cook for another minute or two. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, making sure the flour is all mixed in (I’ve totally had lumps before, so go slow). Add the wild rice and bring everything to a boil. Cover with the lid slightly ajar, reduce the heat, and cook for 15 minutes.
Step 3
While the rice cooks, shred or chop your turkey and slice mushrooms. Add them to the pot, bring the soup back to a simmer, and cook covered for another 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender. If you love creamy soup, stir in heavy cream at the end. Season with salt and pepper before serving. For another cozy dinner idea, check out Crockpot Ranch Beef Pasta Shells Dinner Recipes.
Tips and tricks to make this recipe shine
If you want a thicker soup, just let it simmer uncovered for a bit. Wild rice keeps a nice chewy bite, so don’t worry if it’s not super soft. Sometimes, I add a handful of spinach at the end for more veggies. Leftover turkey wild rice soup is a forgiving recipe, so don’t stress if you mix up steps a little!
What to serve with this recipe
Honestly, leftover turkey wild rice soup is hearty enough on its own, but it’s even better with a slice of crusty bread or a simple green salad. Sometimes, I’ll toast up some garlic bread—my kids always ask for extra. Roasted veggies or a scoop of mashed potatoes on the side make it a super comforting dinner, especially on a chilly night.
How to store and reheat
Store leftover turkey wild rice soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. I find wild rice gets a bit softer the next day, but it’s still tasty. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring often. If it thickens up too much, just add a splash of broth or water. It freezes well, too—just skip the cream if you plan to freeze. For another fall dinner idea, see Pumpkin Chicken Pasta Dinner Recipes.
Print
Hearty Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup for Dinner – Comforting & Easy
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
A hearty and comforting soup using leftover turkey, wild rice, and fresh vegetables simmered to perfection with a touch of cream.
Ingredients
1 medium onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or more to taste
3 heaping tablespoons flour
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup uncooked wild rice
2 cups cooked turkey meat, shredded or cut into pieces
7 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the onion, carrots, and celery by chopping them. The carrots and celery can be roughly chopped.
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and flour to the pot. Cook while stirring for 1 to 2 minutes.
Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, mixing until the flour is fully dissolved.
Stir in the wild rice.
Turn the heat up to high and bring the soup to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil, and cook for 15 minutes.
If you have not already prepared the turkey and mushrooms, do so while the rice is cooking.
Add the turkey and mushrooms to the soup. Increase the heat just until the soup boils again, then reduce it to a simmer. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, and continue to cook for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender (wild rice will retain a bit of chewiness).
If desired, stir in the heavy cream. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing, boiling, simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 70
FAQ
Can I use brown rice instead of wild rice?
Yes, you can swap wild rice for brown rice, but note that the texture and cooking time will be a bit different.
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Absolutely! Just skip the butter and cream, and use a little more olive oil if needed.
What veggies can I add?
Feel free to add spinach, kale, or even corn for extra color and flavor.
Can I freeze leftover turkey wild rice soup?
Yes, but freeze it before adding cream for best results. Thaw and add cream when reheating, if you like.
Why is my soup thick?
The rice absorbs liquid as it sits. Just add more broth or water when reheating.
Leftover turkey wild rice soup is one of those meals that just feels like home, especially after the holidays when you’re looking for ways to enjoy what’s left in the fridge. Even if you forget a step or add a little extra garlic (I always do), it somehow turns out cozy and delicious. If you’re hungry for more easy dinner recipes, you might love our other ideas. For more inspiration, follow us on Pinterest and bring a little more comfort to your table!
