Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe: A Heartwarming Fall Comfort
Chilly nights call for a comforting wild rice soup that warms you from the inside out.
Autumn's crisp breeze whispers promises of hearty meals waiting in your kitchen.
Fragrant herbs and tender vegetables dance together in this soul-soothing recipe.
Creamy textures blend with earthy grains, creating a symphony of flavors that feel like a warm hug.
Nutritious ingredients come together effortlessly, making this soup a perfect companion for lazy afternoons.
Every spoonful tells a story of comfort and nourishment.
Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup to Warm You Up
Ingredients for Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup
Main Ingredients:
Wild Rice: A hearty and nutty grain that provides a robust texture and earthy flavor to the soup.
Chicken Broth: A flavorful liquid base that adds depth and richness to the soup’s overall taste.
Milk and Half and Half: Creamy dairy components that contribute to the soup’s smooth and luxurious consistency.
Vegetables:Herbs and Seasonings:Thickening Agents:How to Prepare Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup
Cook Wild Rice
In a medium stockpot, boil chicken broth until vigorously bubbling. Gently pour wild rice into the broth, reduce heat to low, and cover with a tight lid.
Let the rice simmer peacefully for about 45-50 minutes. Check occasionally to ensure enough liquid remains and prevent burning.
Once tender, fluff the rice with a fork and set aside.
Sauté Vegetable Medley
Heat a large stockpot with olive oil and butter over medium warmth.
Add these colorful ingredients:
Sprinkle in aromatic seasonings:
Sauté the vegetables until they soften and dance with flavor, about 5-6 minutes. Toss in minced garlic during the final 30 seconds to prevent burning.
Create Silky Roux
Dust all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables. Stir continuously for 3 minutes, ensuring the flour blends smoothly without creating lumpy clusters.
Build Creamy Broth
Slowly pour chicken broth into the vegetable mixture. Increase heat to bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce to a soft simmer.
Stir consistently until the broth transforms into a luxurious, thick consistency, approximately 15-20 minutes.
Combine and Simmer
Fold the cooked wild rice into the creamy broth.
Pour in milk and half and half, creating a rich and velvety soup. Let everything simmer together for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to mingle and develop.
Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, serving immediately while hot and full of comforting goodness.
Tips to Perfect Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup
Variations on Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup
Pairing Ideas for Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup
Storing Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup
FAQs
Why use wild rice in this soup?
Wild rice adds a unique nutty flavor and chewy texture, making the soup more interesting and nutritious compared to regular rice varieties.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, simply substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and use plant-based butter or olive oil to keep the recipe vegetarian-friendly.
How do I know when the roux is properly prepared?
The roux is ready when the flour is fully incorporated and loses its raw flour smell, typically after stirring continuously for about 3 minutes without clumping.
Is wild rice difficult to cook correctly?
Not at all. Just follow the recipe’s instructions of boiling in broth, reducing heat, and simmering with a lid for 45-50 minutes until it reaches an al dente texture.

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Heartwarming wild rice soup delights home cooks with Minnesota’s signature comfort cuisine. Rich creamy broth and tender vegetables complement nutty rice, promising a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- 10 oz (284 g) wild rice
- 11–12 cups low sodium chicken broth (divided)
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 16 oz (454 g) mushrooms (sliced, white or Baby Bella variety)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large carrots (finely chopped)
- 3 large stalks celery (finely chopped)
- 1/2 large onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare wild rice by boiling chicken broth in a medium stockpot. Add rice, reduce heat to low, and cover. Simmer for 45-50 minutes until rice reaches tender consistency, stirring occasionally and adding extra broth if needed. Fluff rice with fork when complete.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large stockpot over medium temperature. Introduce chopped onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Sprinkle with onion powder, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Sauté vegetables for 5-6 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic during final 30 seconds of cooking.
- Dust sautéed vegetables with flour, stirring consistently for 3 minutes to create a smooth roux without lumps.
- Pour chicken broth into vegetable mixture, gradually increasing heat to boiling point. Reduce to gentle simmer, stirring frequently until liquid thickens, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Incorporate cooked wild rice into thickened soup. Pour in milk and half and half. Continue simmering for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to integrate completely.
- Transfer soup to serving bowls while piping hot. Ensure even distribution of ingredients and consistent temperature throughout.
Notes
- Customize the rice cooking time based on package instructions, as wild rice varieties can differ slightly in preparation requirements.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and adjust seasoning to personal taste preferences.
- Consider toasting wild rice in a dry skillet before boiling to enhance its nutty flavor profile and add depth to the overall soup.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend to maintain the soup’s creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 176
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Nate Harper
Founder & Recipe Curator
Expertise
Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation
Education
Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.
Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.
Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.