Cozy 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

Savor Hearty Comfort: This wild rice soup brings warmth and joy to your dining experience.

• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like vegetables or proteins to match your dietary preferences or pantry availability, making this recipe incredibly adaptable for different tastes and nutritional needs.
• Packed with Nutritional Power: Wild rice provides substantial protein, fiber, and minerals, transforming this soup from a simple meal into a nutritionally dense dinner option that supports overall wellness.
• Perfect Cold Weather Companion: Loaded with tender vegetables, rich broth, and robust wild rice, this soup creates a warming embrace during chilly seasons, offering maximum satisfaction and comfort with every spoonful.

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.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery, Mushrooms: A classic combination of vegetables that creates a flavorful and aromatic base for the soup.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Onion Powder, Rosemary, Thyme: Aromatic herbs and spices that add complexity and warmth to the soup.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the soup's taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that helps create a smooth and creamy texture by thickening the soup.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Cooking fats that provide a rich flavor and help sauté the vegetables.

How to Prepare Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

Step 1: 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.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetable Medley

Heat a large stockpot with olive oil and butter over medium warmth.

• Chopped onions
• Diced carrots
• Sliced celery
• Mushroom slices

• Onion powder
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

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.

Step 3: 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.

Step 4: 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.

Step 5: 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.

Step 6: 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

• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor complexity.
• Prep wild rice in advance to reduce overall cooking time and streamline soup preparation.
• Control soup thickness by adjusting flour quantity – less flour creates lighter consistency, more flour produces thicker texture.
• Add rotisserie chicken or cooked shredded turkey for extra protein and hearty meal transformation.
• Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 4 days, gently reheating on stovetop to preserve creamy consistency.

Variations on Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

• Vegetarian Wild Rice Delight: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth, swap out milk for unsweetened almond milk, and add extra mushrooms for a protein-rich vegetarian version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Use cornstarch instead of all-purpose flour for thickening, select certified gluten-free wild rice, and ensure all broth is gluten-free certified.
• Dairy-Free Autumn Soup: Substitute dairy milk with coconut milk or oat milk, use olive oil exclusively instead of butter, and add nutritional yeast for extra creaminess.
• Low-Sodium Wellness Pot: Select low-sodium chicken broth, reduce salt quantities, incorporate herbs like parsley and sage to enhance flavor without additional sodium.

Pairing Ideas for Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

• Select a medium-bodied Chardonnay with subtle oak notes that complement the soup's creamy texture and earthy wild rice flavors.
• Slice a warm, artisan sourdough to dip into the soup, capturing its rich broth and adding delightful textural contrast.
• Serve alongside a simply prepared roasted chicken seasoned with rosemary and thyme to echo the soup's herbal undertones and provide a protein-rich companion.
• Sprinkle aged Gruyère on top of the soup, adding a nutty, complex flavor that amplifies the wild rice's earthiness and provides a luxurious finish.

Storing Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

• Refrigerate: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor.
• Freeze: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Avoid freezing dairy-based soups as they might separate upon thawing.
• Microwave Reheating: Pour soup into microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Check temperature and ensure soup reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Stovetop Reheating: Pour soup into saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth if soup appears too thick. Stir gently to prevent burning and maintain creamy consistency.

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

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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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.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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)

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Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Dust sautéed vegetables with flour, stirring consistently for 3 minutes to create a smooth roux without lumps.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• 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