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Cozy Leftover Turkey and Wild Rice Soup (One Pot)

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A warm and soulful one-pot soup made with leftover turkey, wild rice, and simple aromatics. Perfect for post-holiday comfort, this easy recipe delivers rich flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1½ cups)
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • ½ teaspoon dried sage (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 to 4 cups cooked leftover turkey, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Stir to coat.
  2. Sauté the vegetables for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and the onion is translucent.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly.
  4. Stir in the dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage) and cook for 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Pour in the broth and water, add the bay leaf, and bring to a boil over high heat (about 5 to 7 minutes). Rinse the wild rice under cold water.
  6. Add the wild rice to the boiling broth. Stir, reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover with lid slightly ajar, and cook for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Check the rice after 40 minutes; it should be tender but still have a slight chew. Cook longer if needed.
  8. Add the leftover turkey and cook for 5 minutes to warm through.
  9. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  10. Stir in the heavy cream (if using) and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  11. Finish with lemon juice and fresh parsley. Stir, taste, and adjust salt and pepper.
  12. Let the soup rest off the heat for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

The soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of broth or water when reheating. For best results, season in layers. The lemon juice brightens the flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: leftover turkey soup, wild rice soup, one pot soup, turkey soup, comfort food, post-holiday recipe

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/cozy-leftover-turkey-and-wild-rice-soup-one-pot/