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An image of bowls of creamy wild rice soup with leftover smoked turkey and vegetables in bowls.
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4.95 from 20 votes

Creamy Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe

This Creamy Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup recipe is a hearty, satisfying soup that is full of carrots, mushrooms, celery and onion in a light, creamy broth.  It's great for using up leftover turkey from the holidays and an easy, comforting classic that is perfect for chilly days! 
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 344kcal
Author: Amy Nash

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice
  • 6 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
  • 8 ounces fresh crimini mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley or ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 4 cups cooked shredded turkey or chicken - see note
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

  • Prepare wild rice according to the package instructions.  This typically takes around 50 to 60 minutes.  This can be done up to a day or two in advance and kept in the refrigerator until you are ready to make the soup
  • In a large dutch oven or heavy pot, melt butter over medium heat.  Add the onion, celery, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic, and stir, sauteing until the onion has softened.  
  • Sprinkle the flour over the sauteed vegetables and stir in, cooking for 1 minute.  Slowly add the broth, stirring constantly.  Increase the heat to medium-high until the soup comes to a low boil.  
  • Reduce heat to medium and add the cooked wild rice, parsley, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and shredded turkey.  Simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Add milk, cream, and lemon juice, and cook another 3-5 minutes until hot, tasting and adjust seasoning by adding more salt and pepper, if needed.  Serve immediately.  

Notes

You could even just use a rotisserie chicken that has been pulled apart.  Or if all you have on hand are uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, add 1 ½ pounds of uncooked chicken breasts along with the broth in step 3 and bring the soup to a boil.  Cover with a lid and boil for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.  Remove chicken to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before chopping or shredding, then returning to the soup and adding the cooked rice and continuing with the recipe.  
Recipe adapted from A Farmgirl's Dabbles.  

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 2148mg | Potassium: 662mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3051IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2mg