Warm Up with Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Chilly autumn evenings call for a comforting wild rice soup that warms you from the inside out.

This hearty wild rice soup recipe delivers rich, earthy flavors that dance on your palate.

Packed with tender vegetables and robust grains, the dish brings a rustic charm to your dinner table.

Mushrooms and herbs blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of seasonal tastes.

Each spoonful offers a luxurious embrace of warmth and nourishment.

Hearty and satisfying, this soup turns an ordinary meal into a memorable culinary experience.

You’ll want to savor every delightful bite of this soul-soothing autumn classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes (Instant Pot) or 50-60 minutes (Stovetop)

Total Time: 55-70 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredient List for Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

• Vegetable Stock: Liquid gold that creates a hearty flavor foundation, choose low-sodium for better control of salt levels.
• Wild Rice: Nutty, textured grain that adds earthy depth, look for organic varieties with rich, deep color.
• Bay Leaf: Aromatic herb that infuses subtle complexity, select fresh leaves with vibrant green color.
• Old Bay Seasoning: Zesty spice blend that brings warm, coastal-inspired notes, perfect for elevating soup's flavor profile.

• Mushrooms, Onion, Garlic: Flavor-boosting trio that creates rich umami base, select fresh, firm produce with no soft spots.
• Carrots, Celery, Sweet Potato: Hearty vegetable medley offering natural sweetness and nutritional punch, choose organic when possible.
• Kale: Nutrient-dense green that adds vibrant color and robust texture, opt for crisp, deeply colored leaves.

• Coconut Milk: Silky liquid that provides luxurious creaminess, select full-fat version for most indulgent texture.
• Butter or Olive Oil: Foundational cooking fat that enhances overall flavor, choose high-quality extra virgin olive oil for best results.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning duo that balances and enhances recipe's natural flavors, use freshly ground black pepper.

Tools You’ll Need for Wild Rice Soup

• Instant Pot or Large Stockpot: Essential for cooking the soup base and preparing all ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables like onions, garlic, carrots, and celery.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for precise vegetable dicing and mincing.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and mixing the soup.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Ladle: Helpful for serving the warm soup into bowls.

How to Make Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

• Autumn Flavor Base

Create a rich foundation by combining wild rice, earthy mushrooms, and colorful root vegetables in a large cooking vessel. Select seasonal ingredients that promise warmth and comfort.

• Pressure Magic

Utilize an instant pot or stovetop method to transform raw ingredients into a velvety soup. Allow herbs and seasonings to meld together, creating deep, complex flavors that whisper of cozy days.

• Creamy Transformation

Introduce coconut milk and vibrant kale to elevate the soup’s texture and nutritional profile. The liquid will soften the vegetables and create a luxurious, silky consistency that feels like a culinary hug.

• Seasoning Symphony

Taste and adjust flavors with Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Each spoonful should balance between subtle spice and hearty vegetable richness.

• Cozy Serving

Ladle the steaming soup into rustic bowls. Invite friends and family to savor this nourishing meal that captures the essence of autumn’s gentle embrace.

Tips & Variations for Autumn Wild Rice Soup

• Swap kale with cooked shredded chicken or add white beans for extra protein and texture.
• Replace sweet potato with butternut squash or parsnips to create unique flavor variations while keeping the soup's hearty essence.
• Blend a portion of the soup before adding final ingredients to create a thicker, more luxurious consistency without adding extra cream.
• Experiment with different herb blends like thyme, rosemary, or smoked paprika to elevate the soup's flavor profile and match your taste preferences.
• This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently, adding fresh kale when serving for maximum freshness.

Serving Ideas for Wild Rice Soup

• Hearty Bread Pairing: Slice up a rustic sourdough or crusty whole grain bread to dunk into this creamy autumn soup. The bread soaks up the rich broth and adds a delightful textural contrast.
• Cozy Toppings Bar: Set out small bowls of crispy roasted pumpkin seeds, chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for guests to customize their soup experience.
• Wine and Soup Harmony: Complement the earthy mushroom and wild rice flavors with a light-bodied white wine like pinot grigio or a crisp chardonnay. The wine's subtle notes will enhance the soup's complex profile.
• Warming Side Salad: Prepare a quick autumn-inspired salad with mixed greens, roasted butternut squash cubes, and a light maple vinaigrette to balance the soup's creamy texture.

Storage Plan for Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

• Refrigerator Recovery: Store leftover soup in airtight containers for 4-5 days. The flavors will continue to develop and become more rich and complex as they sit.
• Freezer Friendly Strategy: Portion the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Smart Reheat Technique: Warm soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of extra vegetable stock if the soup seems too thick. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and maintain smooth consistency.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Chop vegetables and measure ingredients in advance. Store prepped components in sealed containers in the refrigerator for quick soup assembly during busy weeknights. This method saves time and reduces day-of cooking stress.

Hearty Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 55-70 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty wild rice soup celebrates fall’s comforting flavors with Minnesota’s classic blend of earthy ingredients. Creamy, rich broth and tender vegetables promise a warming meal that connects you to rustic kitchen traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 g) sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 8 oz (226 g) baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 1 small white onion, peeled and diced
• 2 large handfuls kale, roughly chopped with thick stems removed
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice
• 6 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
• 1 (14 oz) can unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 ½ tbsps Old Bay seasoning
• 1 bay leaf
• Fine sea salt
• Freshly-cracked black pepper

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Instructions

1. Ingredient Assembly: Combine vegetable stock, wild rice, mushrooms, garlic, carrots, celery, sweet potato, onion, bay leaf, and Old Bay seasoning directly in the Instant Pot, creating a harmonious flavor base.
2. Pressure Cooking: Lock the lid and activate manual high pressure for 25 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and rice to become tender.
3. Pressure Release and Finishing: After natural pressure reduction, quick release any remaining pressure, remove bay leaf, then gently fold in coconut milk and kale until perfectly integrated.
4. Flavor Refinement: Calibrate seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional Old Bay to elevate the soup’s depth, then transfer to warm serving bowls.

Stovetop Method:

1. Flavor Foundation: In a large stockpot, sauté onions in butter or olive oil until translucent, then introduce minced garlic to release its aromatic potential.
2. Liquid Composition: Pour vegetable stock, incorporating wild rice, mushrooms, carrots, celery, sweet potato, bay leaf, and Old Bay seasoning into the pot.
3. Gentle Transformation: Reduce heat, cover, and allow soup to simmer for 35-40 minutes, stirring periodically until wild rice reaches optimal tenderness.
4. Creamy Integration: Introduce coconut milk and kale, ensuring thorough distribution and a velvety texture.
5. Final Flourish: Taste and adjust seasonings, then ladle into bowls, presenting a comforting autumn culinary experience.

Notes

• Optimize Rice Texture: Wild rice requires longer cooking times compared to other rice varieties, so patience ensures perfectly tender grains without mushiness.
• Coconut Milk Magic: Add coconut milk at the end of cooking to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Seasoning Strategy: Old Bay adds depth, but adjust incrementally to avoid overwhelming the delicate vegetable flavors.
• Kale Timing Trick: Incorporate kale in the final moments to preserve its vibrant color, nutrients, and tender-crisp texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes (Instant Pot) or 50-60 minutes (Stovetop)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg