Cozy Up with Our Hearty Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup Recipe

When winter’s chill creeps closer, a steaming bowl of wild rice and mushroom soup delivers pure comfort.

Earthy mushrooms blend seamlessly with nutty wild rice, creating a depth of flavor that warms you from the inside.

Each spoonful carries rich, robust notes that dance across your palate with delightful complexity.

The ingredients come together in a harmonious symphony of taste and texture.

Tender mushrooms mingle with plump wild rice grains, releasing an aroma that promises hearty satisfaction.

This soup transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious meal that feels like a culinary embrace.

One spoonful will transport you to a cozy kitchen filled with warmth and delectable anticipation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 6

The Base of Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

• Wild Rice: Nutty ancient grain that adds hearty structure and delightful chewiness to the soup.
• Cremini Mushrooms: Earthy, robust flavor enhancer that brings deep umami character.
• Shiitake Mushrooms: Delicate woodland taste that elevates the overall mushroom profile.

• Vegetable Broth: Provides rich, savory liquid foundation with balanced vegetable depth.
• Heavy Cream: Luxurious silky element that transforms soup into velvety, indulgent experience.
• Milk: Softens cream's intensity and creates smoother, lighter consistency.

• Onion: Foundational flavor builder with sweet undertones that complement mushroom richness.
• Garlic: Pungent aromatic that intensifies savory notes and adds complexity.
• Fresh Thyme: Delicate herb that introduces subtle woodsy, slightly minty background flavor.
• Salt: Essential flavor amplifier that balances and heightens other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Warm, sharp spice that adds gentle heat and depth to the soup.

Soup Prep Tools You’ll Be Glad You Had

• Large Pot: Perfect for simmering soup and cooking wild rice with ample space.
• Wooden Spoon: Ideal for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Cutting Board: Essential for chopping mushrooms and prepping vegetables safely.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to slice mushrooms and chop ingredients with precision.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Colander: Use to drain excess water from cooked wild rice.

Cooking Up This Rich, Hearty Mix

• Kickstart the Wild Rice

Bring the wild rice to life by following the package guidelines. Let it simmer and dance in the pot for about 40-50 minutes until perfectly tender. Once done, give it a gentle drain and set it aside, ready to join the soup party.

• Sauté Mushroom Magic

Heat up a large pot and welcome sliced mushrooms with a splash of olive oil. Watch them transform from pale to golden brown, releasing their rich, earthy aroma. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and develop deep, delicious flavors.

• Build the Soup Base

Introduce diced onions and minced garlic to the mushroom wonderland. Let them mingle and soften, creating a fragrant foundation. Sprinkle in flour to create a silky thickening agent, stirring continuously to prevent any lumpy surprises.

• Pour in Creamy Goodness

Slowly stream in vegetable broth and heavy cream, whisking gently to create a smooth, luxurious texture. Let the mixture simmer and bubble, allowing the flavors to intertwine and develop a rich, comforting character.

• Unite the Ingredients

Gently fold the cooked wild rice into the creamy mushroom mixture. Season with salt, pepper, and a hint of thyme to elevate the taste. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to dance and meld.

• Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, watching the creamy mixture embrace the wild rice and mushrooms. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and savor the warm, hearty goodness of your homemade creation.

Tuning the Taste: Adjustments That Work

• Rice Cooking Hack: Prepare rice a day ahead and refrigerate to enhance texture and make soup assembly faster on cooking day.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a plant-based version that maintains rich, velvety consistency.
• Mushroom Mastery: Mix different mushroom varieties like shiitake, cremini, and porcini to create deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
• Low-Carb Twist: Replace wild rice with cauliflower rice or riced turnips for a lower-carbohydrate alternative that still delivers satisfying texture.
• Protein Power-Up: Add shredded rotisserie chicken, diced turkey, or crispy bacon bits to transform this soup into a more substantial meal that keeps you full longer.

Soup Serving Tips That Impress

• Rustic Bread Companion: Serve alongside crusty sourdough or whole grain bread slices to soak up the rich, creamy broth and add delightful texture to each spoonful.
• Elegant Garnish Finish: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives, parsley, or thyme on top just before serving to introduce a burst of color and herbaceous freshness that elevates the soup's earthy mushroom flavor.
• Protein Power-Up: Top with crispy bacon bits, shredded rotisserie chicken, or pan-seared tofu cubes to transform this soup from a simple starter into a hearty main course that satisfies hunger and adds extra protein.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the soup's deep mushroom notes with a glass of crisp Pinot Grigio or a light-bodied Chardonnay that balances the creamy texture without overwhelming the delicate wild rice and mushroom flavors.

Soup Storage That Keeps the Goodness In

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the wild rice quantity and store the extra in sealed containers. Extra rice keeps well in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, perfect for quick meal additions or future soup variations.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Cool the soup completely before storing in airtight containers. Properly stored, this creamy soup remains delicious for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F or below.
• Freezing Wisdom: This soup freezes beautifully without cream. Pack the base soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving room for expansion. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight and stir in fresh cream for optimal texture and taste.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm the soup on stovetop over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or milk to restore creamy consistency if the soup thickens during storage. Avoid high heat to prevent separation of ingredients.

Hearty Wild Rice And Mushroom Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Wild rice and mushroom soup showcases northern Minnesota’s rich culinary heritage with earthy mushrooms and hearty grains. Comfort comes through each spoonful, inviting diners to savor complex flavors that speak of woodland traditions.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice
• 8 oz (226 g) mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or a mix)
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Rice Preparation: Cook wild rice in a saucepan according to package instructions until grains become tender and split, releasing an earthy aroma, approximately 40-50 minutes.
2. Mushroom Preparation: Select a medley of shiitake, cremini, and oyster mushrooms, cleaning and slicing them into uniform pieces to build a complex flavor foundation.
3. Base Creation: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, developing a golden, aromatic base that will elevate the soup’s overall taste profile.
4. Mushroom Transformation: Sauté sliced mushrooms until they caramelize and release moisture, creating an intense umami-rich layer for the soup’s structure.
5. Aromatic Enhancement: Add finely diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until translucent and releasing their fragrant essence into the developing mixture.
6. Thickening Process: Dust flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux that will provide the soup’s desired creamy consistency.
7. Liquid Integration: Pour broth slowly while whisking to prevent lumps, creating a silky smooth liquid base that will serve as the soup’s foundation.
8. Cream Incorporation: Stream in heavy cream, transforming the liquid into a luxurious, velvety mixture that adds richness and depth to the soup.
9. Final Composition: Fold cooked wild rice into the creamy base, allowing ingredients to meld and create a harmonious, comforting flavor profile.
10. Seasoning and Finishing: Season with salt, pepper, and thyme, adjusting to taste, then simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to fully develop and intertwine.
11. Serving Presentation: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley or chives to add a vibrant, herbaceous final touch that brightens the entire dish.

Notes

• Choose Mushroom Variety: Select a mix of mushrooms like shiitake, cremini, and oyster to create depth and complexity in flavor.
• Control Rice Texture: Cook wild rice carefully to achieve perfectly split, tender grains without becoming mushy; watch closely during 40-50 minute cooking time.
• Build Layered Flavor: Caramelize mushrooms thoroughly before adding other ingredients to develop a rich, intense umami base for the soup.
• Prevent Cream Separation: Whisk broth and cream slowly and consistently to maintain a smooth, silky texture without curdling or creating lumps.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg