Description

Wild Rice Soup: a creamy, cozy bowl perfect for crisp fall days. This Hearty Wild Rice Soup blends tender vegetables with chewy wild rice and a rich, silky broth, finished with thyme, parsley, garlic, and a kiss of salt and pepper. Optional shredded chicken adds extra heartiness. Dairy-free or gluten-free options shine with coconut milk and cornstarch. Serve steaming with crusty bread for a satisfying, comforting meal. The recipe yields 4 portions and warms you from the inside.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tbsp butter or olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 cup uncooked wild rice (or wild rice blend)
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup cooked shredded chicken (optional for non-vegetarian version)
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
1 cup milk or cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)
2 tbsp flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free, optional for thickening)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

In a large pot, heat butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in wild rice, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add broth and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45–50 minutes or until rice is tender.
(Optional) If adding chicken, stir in the cooked shredded chicken now.
In a small bowl, whisk flour into milk until smooth. Slowly pour into the soup while stirring to thicken the broth. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

For a dairy-free option, use coconut milk and omit the dairy milk.
To keep it gluten-free, substitute 2 tbsp flour with 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed into the milk, or skip thickening entirely.
Chicken is optional; use shredded chicken for a non-vegetarian version.
If using a wild rice blend, cooking time may vary slightly; adjust accordingly.
Season to taste at the end after adding salt and pepper.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Sautéing and simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (about)
Calories: 320
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 30 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 60 g
Fiber: 6 g
Protein: 12 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: Wild Rice Soup, creamy soup, cozy soup, fall soup, hearty soup, vegetable soup, chicken optional, dairy-free, gluten-free, comforting dinner, crusty bread pairing