Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup: Your Ultimate Instant Pot & Slow Cooker Guide

Discover the ultimate recipe for a rich, hearty, and incredibly satisfying Turkey Wild Rice Soup, perfect for using up your Thanksgiving leftovers or simply enjoying a comforting meal any time of the year. This versatile recipe can be prepared effortlessly in your Instant Pot for a quick weeknight dinner or simmered to perfection in a slow cooker for a cozy weekend feast. Whether you prefer succulent turkey or tender chicken, and the earthy chewiness of wild rice or the familiar comfort of brown rice, this recipe offers flexible options to suit your taste. Plus, we’ll guide you through making this delicious turkey rice soup gluten-free or dairy-free, ensuring everyone at your table can enjoy its thick, creamy, and undeniably delicious flavor.

If you’re a fan of the classic chicken and wild rice soup from your favorite cafe, get ready to fall in love with this homemade version of turkey and wild rice soup. There’s something truly special about a warm, steaming bowl of soup – it’s the quintessential comfort food, especially as the days grow shorter and cooler. And with this recipe, you can recreate that comforting experience right in your own kitchen.

Our Instant Pot Turkey Wild Rice Soup is crafted to hit every note of flavor and texture. It starts with a foundational blend of aromatic vegetables: crisp carrots, tender celery, and pungent onions, creating a savory depth that forms the heart of the soup. Fresh mushrooms contribute a delightful umami kick, while the robust wild rice (or brown rice, if you prefer) adds an earthy richness and a satisfying chewiness that makes every spoonful a delight.

The star protein of this dish, leftover turkey, transforms post-holiday meal scraps into a healthy, hearty, and entirely new culinary experience. No more mundane turkey sandwiches! This soup breathes new life into your Thanksgiving turkey, turning it into a cherished meal. Complementing the turkey are an array of quintessential fall herbs: fragrant thyme, earthy sage, and aromatic rosemary, which infuse the broth with a warm, inviting essence that perfectly embodies the season.

But the true magic lies in the broth’s incredible creaminess. A luxurious combination of heavy cream, milk, and a touch of grated Parmesan cheese envelops all the ingredients, creating a velvety texture that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. This soup isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, delivering unparalleled comfort and flavor. I genuinely can’t get enough of it, and I am confident that once you try it, you’ll feel the same!

🛒 Essential Ingredients for Turkey Wild Rice Soup

Gather these key ingredients to craft this luscious leftover turkey rice soup in your Instant Pot or slow cooker:

• 1 lb. cooked turkey breast: The perfect way to utilize holiday leftovers. Cooked chicken breast works beautifully too.
• ⅔ cup dry wild rice: For that distinct nutty flavor and chewy texture. Brown rice is an excellent alternative if wild rice isn’t available or preferred.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil: The foundation for sautéing our aromatic vegetables.
• 1½ cups diced onion: A crucial aromatic that adds sweetness and depth.
• 3 large celery ribs: Part of the classic mirepoix, offering a subtle savory note.
• 3 medium carrots (about 8 ounces): Adding natural sweetness and vibrant color.
• 10 ounces baby portobello mushrooms, sliced: For an earthy, umami-rich dimension.
• 4½ cups turkey broth: Or chicken broth, providing the liquid base and savory flavor. Homemade bone broth is highly recommended for superior taste and nutrition.
• 1 bay leaf: A simple yet powerful addition for a subtle herbaceous background.
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme: Fresh herbs truly elevate the flavor profile. If using dried, opt for 1 teaspoon.
• 1 teaspoon each: dried sage, dried rosemary: These classic fall herbs impart a wonderfully warm and aromatic essence.
• ½ cup heavy cream: For an unparalleled creamy texture and rich mouthfeel.
• 1 cup milk, 2%: Contributing to the soup’s smooth consistency.
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adding a salty, umami depth and an extra layer of creaminess.
• ¼ cup flour: Used to create a thickening slurry for that desirable thick soup texture.
• Salt and pepper: To taste, adjust according to the seasoning of your broth.
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped: For a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and flavor.

You can find a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions at the bottom of this post, making your cooking process even smoother!

Ingredient Notes & Tips

While store-bought bone broth is convenient, consider making your own from a turkey carcass for an even richer flavor and controlled sodium content. Our Instant Pot Bone Broth recipe provides a simple guide to doing just that.

This recipe uses a blend of dry and fresh herbs, but feel free to mix and match based on what you have on hand. A general rule for conversion is that one tablespoon of fresh herbs is equivalent to one teaspoon of dried herbs. Always taste and adjust to your preference.

When cooking in an Instant Pot, a wooden spoon is recommended to prevent scratching the inner pot’s non-stick surface, helping to prolong the life of your appliance.

🥣 Step-by-Step: How to Make Turkey Wild Rice Soup

In your Instant Pot, select the “Sauté” function and set it to high. Add the olive oil and let it heat for 1-2 minutes. Once shimmering, add the diced onion, carrot, celery, and sliced mushrooms to the pot. Sauté these vegetables for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. The goal here is to soften the vegetables, allowing them to release their flavors, not to brown them extensively. This step builds the aromatic base of your soup.

Remember to stir the veggies frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even softening. You’re aiming for translucent onions and slightly tender carrots and celery, not a browned, caramelized effect.

Cooking Time: Instant Pot vs. Slow Cooker

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For Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker): Ensure the lid vent is set to “Sealing.” Select the “Pressure Cook” function (or “Manual” on older models) and set it to high pressure for 15 minutes. While some Instant Pot models have a “Rice/Risotto” setting, controlling the time manually ensures perfect results for wild rice. Once cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release (NPR) for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully switch the vent to “Venting” for a quick release (QR) of any remaining pressure before safely opening the lid. This natural release method helps the soup settle and prevents ingredients from sputtering.

For Slow Cooker (Crock Pot): If using the slow cooker function of your Instant Pot, or a standalone crock pot, ensure the vent on your Instant Pot lid remains open (or use a standard slow cooker lid). Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the wild rice is tender and fully cooked. Wild rice can absorb a lot of liquid, so check periodically. If the soup appears too thick or the rice has absorbed too much liquid, simply add an additional ½ to 1 cup of broth before proceeding to the next steps.

While your soup is cooking, prepare the thickening agent. In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and flour until a smooth, lump-free paste (a “slurry”) forms. This mixture is essential for achieving the soup’s signature thick and creamy consistency, contributing to its rich mouthfeel without the need for excessive stirring during cooking.

Continue to cook the soup on the “Sauté” setting with the lid off for another 10-15 minutes. Stir the soup frequently during this final stage to ensure the thickening agents disperse evenly and to prevent any ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pot. As it simmers, you’ll notice the soup gradually thickening to a wonderfully creamy, luxurious consistency. Once it reaches your desired thickness, it’s ready!

Finally, ladle your exquisite creation into individual bowls. Garnish each serving with a generous sprinkle of fresh, finely chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbaceous freshness. Serve immediately and savor every spoonful of this hearty, comforting Turkey Wild Rice Soup. Enjoy!

Storing and Reheating Turkey Wild Rice Soup Leftovers

Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious turkey wild rice soup for days. Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s common for the rice to continue absorbing liquid as it sits, making the soup thicker. If your soup becomes too dry or thick upon reheating, simply stir in a little extra turkey or chicken broth to achieve your desired consistency.

To reheat, you have a couple of easy options. On the stovetop, gently warm the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through. Alternatively, for a quicker reheat, place the soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a paper towel (to prevent splatters), and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

While tempting, we generally don’t recommend freezing this turkey rice soup crockpot recipe with the rice already in it. The texture of both wild rice and brown rice tends to become mushy and unpleasant after freezing and thawing, detracting from the soup’s overall quality.

If you absolutely wish to freeze this soup, we suggest cooking and freezing the rice separately from the rest of the soup base. Prepare the creamy turkey vegetable base without the rice, then freeze it. Cook fresh rice when you’re ready to serve, and then combine the reheated soup base with the freshly cooked rice. This method ensures that your soup retains its optimal texture and flavor.

Customizing Your Soup: Delicious Substitutions & Variations

This Instant Pot Turkey and Rice Soup recipe is wonderfully adaptable, inviting you to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to suit your preferences. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!

• Grain Swaps: Beyond wild rice and brown rice, consider using barley for a hearty, chewy texture, or even small pasta shapes for a different take.
• Vegetable Boost: Enhance the vegetable content by stirring in fresh or frozen corn kernels, peas, or diced bell peppers after the pressure cooking stage. Spinach or kale can also be wilted in at the very end for an extra nutritional punch.
• Flavor Enhancers: For an extra layer of savory depth, crumble some crispy bacon on top as a delightful garnish. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving can brighten all the flavors beautifully.
• Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes during the sautéing of the vegetables.
• Herb Alternatives: While thyme, sage, and rosemary are classic, feel free to explore other herbs like marjoram or a touch of dried oregano for a different aromatic profile.

These simple adjustments allow you to create a unique soup experience every time, keeping your meals exciting and flavorful.

Watch How to Make It!

Turkey Wild Rice Soup (Instant Pot or Crock Pot)

Summer Yule

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you make crockpot soup with ground turkey and rice?

Absolutely! This recipe is highly adaptable for ground turkey. To use ground turkey, simply brown it in a skillet on the stovetop before you begin, then drain any excess fat. Once cooked, set the ground turkey aside and incorporate it into the soup at the same step where you would add the cubed cooked turkey pieces (Step 6). This ensures the ground turkey is fully cooked and heated through without overcooking during the main simmer.

Can you make chicken wild rice soup gluten free?

Yes, making this turkey wild rice soup (or chicken wild rice soup) gluten-free is very straightforward! The primary ingredient containing gluten is the all-purpose flour used for thickening. To make it gluten-free, simply substitute the regular flour with a good quality gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour blend. These blends are specifically designed to be used in equal amounts as wheat flour in recipes, ensuring the same thickening power and creamy texture without compromising flavor.

How to make chicken wild rice soup dairy free?

Creating a dairy-free version of this turkey or chicken wild rice soup is definitely achievable with a few thoughtful substitutions. You’ll need to replace the milk, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. For the milk, opt for your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk such as soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk. Be cautious with coconut milk or cream, as their distinct flavors might overpower the soup. For the heavy cream, cashew cream is an excellent, rich substitute that provides a similar velvety texture. To replace the cheesy flavor of Parmesan, a sprinkle of nutritional yeast can mimic that savory, umami note beautifully. Ensure all other ingredients like broth are also dairy-free.

How to make low carb turkey rice soup?

To convert this turkey rice soup into a low-carb version, the main adjustment involves substituting the wild rice. Cauliflower rice is a popular and effective low-carb alternative; however, be mindful that it cooks much faster than traditional rice, so add it closer to the end of the cooking process (e.g., during the final sauté stage) to prevent it from becoming mushy. Additionally, ensure you use a keto-friendly, unsweetened plant-based milk (like unsweetened almond milk) instead of regular dairy milk. You might also need to use a low-carb thickener like xanthan gum (in very small quantities) if flour is omitted.

🦃 More Creative Turkey Leftover Recipes

Beyond this delicious soup, there are countless ways to transform your turkey leftovers into exciting new meals:

• Zesty Turkey Salad without Mayo: A lighter, flavorful take on turkey salad.
• Keto Greek Salad with Turkey: A refreshing and healthy option for a quick lunch or dinner.
• Instant Pot Stir Fry (use cooked turkey instead of chicken): A fast and vibrant meal that’s perfect for customizing with your favorite vegetables.

👩🏻‍🍳 Other Delicious Instant Pot Soup Recipes

The Instant Pot is a marvel for making incredible soups with ease. Once you’ve mastered this turkey wild rice soup, explore these other fantastic Instant Pot soup recipes:

• Hearty Instant Pot Italian Sausage Soup: A robust and flavorful soup packed with greens and beans.
• Nutrient-Rich Bone Broth (Instant Pot): The foundation for countless healthy and delicious soups and stews.
• Classic Old-Fashioned Beef and Vegetable Soup: A comforting and satisfying stew, perfect for any season.