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Cozy Leftover Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

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A comforting soup made with leftover turkey, wild rice, and vegetables, perfect for using up holiday leftovers or creating a warm meal on a cold day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and the onion is translucent.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the rinsed wild rice to the pot and stir for 1-2 minutes to toast it slightly.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, water, and add the bay leaf. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes until the rice is tender and has split open.
  5. Stir in the shredded or diced turkey and cook for 5 minutes to warm through.
  6. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let warm through for 2-3 minutes without boiling.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. If desired, stir in lemon juice just before serving.
  8. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Don’t skip sautéing the vegetables—it builds flavor. Rinse wild rice to remove debris. Use low-sodium broth to control salt. Shred turkey rather than chopping for better texture. Let soup rest 10 minutes before serving for flavors to meld. Add cream at the end and keep heat low to prevent curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: leftover turkey, wild rice soup, comfort food, easy soup, turkey soup

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/cozy-leftover-turkey-and-wild-rice-soup/