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Cozy Crockpot Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

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A deeply savory, creamy, and soul-warming bowl of comfort made with leftover turkey, wild rice, and simple pantry staples. This hands-off slow cooker recipe is perfect for a cozy day and is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
  • 1 cup wild rice blend (not quick-cooking)
  • 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • ½ teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more until fragrant.
  2. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
  3. Add broth and seasonings: Pour in the low-sodium broth. Add dried thyme, rosemary, sage, and bay leaf. Stir to combine. Do not add salt yet.
  4. Rinse the wild rice blend in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water for 30 seconds. Add the rinsed rice to the slow cooker and stir.
  5. Gently stir in the cooked, shredded turkey.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the wild rice is tender and has started to burst open.
  7. Once rice is tender, turn off the slow cooker or switch to ‘warm’. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh lemon juice. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an extra crack of black pepper. Serve hot.

Notes

For best texture, use a wild rice blend (not 100% wild rice). Do not skip sautéing the vegetables—it adds depth of flavor. The lemon juice is essential for brightening the soup. Season with salt only at the end. Soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of broth when reheating. Tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey soup, wild rice soup, crockpot soup, slow cooker soup, leftover turkey, creamy soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/cozy-crockpot-turkey-and-wild-rice-soup-easy-recipe/