Description
Hearty Wisconsin-style turkey wild rice soup blends rustic comfort with creamy elegance, celebrating leftover holiday poultry in a rich, satisfying bowl. Wild Minnesota ingredients and savory herbs invite home cooks to savor this nourishing winter classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked turkey, chopped
- 1 cup dry wild rice or rice blend
- 4–5 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
Vegetables:
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 rib celery, diced (optional)
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Warm a Dutch oven over medium heat, melting butter and oil together to create a flavorful foundation for the dish.
- Introduce chopped vegetables and rice to the pot, sautéing and stirring frequently until vegetables soften and rice becomes slightly translucent, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Sprinkle baking soda, fragrant thyme, and splash of wine into the mixture, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deeper flavors for about 1 minute.
- Pour in rich broth and remaining seasonings, elevating heat to generate a robust boil before reducing to a gentle simmer. Cover and let the rice absorb liquid for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Gently fold in heavy cream and tender turkey pieces, transforming the dish into a luxurious comfort meal. Uncover and continue cooking, allowing the mixture to slowly thicken and develop a creamy consistency for 30-60 minutes.
- Remove from heat when sauce reaches desired thickness and rice is perfectly tender. Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to fully integrate before serving.
Notes
- Choose low-sodium broth to control salt levels and enhance natural flavors without overwhelming the dish.
- Toast rice briefly before adding liquid to develop a nutty, deeper taste and prevent mushiness.
- For gluten-free adaptation, swap wheat-based wine with gluten-free white wine or chicken broth.
- Reduce cooking time by using pre-cooked shredded turkey or rotisserie chicken for quicker meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 80mg