Wild Rice Turkey Soup

Common Questions

Can I use leftover turkey in this soup?

Yes! This recipe is actually perfect for using up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or any roasted turkey you’ve made. Just chop or shred it and add it in when the recipe calls for cooked turkey.

Is this soup freezer-friendly?

Absolutely. Let the soup cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. It’ll keep for up to 3 months!

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

1000% yes! Rotisserie chicken or cooked shredded chicken works great here and makes it super easy for weeknights.

What kind of wild rice should I use?

Any wild rice or wild rice blend will work, but keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly. Just make sure to simmer until the rice is fully cooked and tender.

How can I make this dairy-free?

Use a dairy-free butter or oil to sauté the veggies, and substitute the cream with full-fat coconut milk or your favorite plain, unsweetened plant-based creamer. The soup will still be creamy and delicious!

If you’re looking for a good way to use up leftover turkey, this Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup has been my favorite post-Thanksgiving tradition for years! It’s hearty, healthy, and full of creamy, cozy flavors. I top it off with grated parmesan and parsley for a soup that even my kids love! Every bite is so good.

What to Make With Leftover Turkey? The BEST Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup!

This may possibly be my favorite fall and winter soup. There’s nothing like the flavors of mushrooms, wild rice, and a creamy broth coming together with turkey and veggies in a bowl!

Whether you have leftover turkey on hand, rotisserie chicken, or you’re making this soup from scratch, it’s been tested to perfection so that it just works every single time. I make this every year it’s always one of my family’s favorites!

It’s SUPER easy to make.
Can make a big batch to feed a large family.
Perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers!
Freezes well if you need to save it for later.

This recipe may truly be one of my favorite soups right now, and I know you and your family will enjoy it as well!

RELATED: 15 Healthy Winter Soups

Close up of Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup in a large dutch oven.

Turkey and Wild Rice Soup Ingredients/Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

Second photo of ingredients for turkey wild rice soup.

Ingredients for creamy turkey wild rice soup.

Leftover Turkey – This recipe is the best for leftover turkey! However, if you have leftover chicken, that works too. You can also cook turkey or chicken specifically for this recipe!

Wild Rice – There’s nothing like the flavor of wild rice in this recipe. It really makes it! I used this wild rice blend, (opens in a new tab) but any type of wild rice works great.

Roasted Mushrooms – The sliced mushrooms in this recipe are roasted to perfection. I really recommend roasting them if you can! However, they can also just be sautéed at the beginning of the recipe along with the other vegetables.

Vegetables – Chopped carrots and celery are the main vegetables in this delicious Turkey Wild Rice Soup.

Avocado Oil – I used avocado oil (opens in a new tab) for sautéing the vegetables and roasting the mushrooms. Regular butter is also a great option and can add amazing flavor to the recipe!

Broth – Chicken broth or vegetable broth both work great in this soup.

The Creamy Broth – Okay, trust me on this one. I used plain whole milk yogurt whisked with salt, pepper, and about 2 Tablespoons of the warm broth to make the cream for this recipe. It’s so good! However, you can also just use heavy cream or sour cream instead.

Garlic – Fresh minced garlic is best, but garlic powder works great too.

Onion – Finely chopped yellow onion or shallots are both delicious in this soup!

Sage & Parsley – Fresh or dried sage (opens in a new tab) and parsley add so much flavor to this recipe. Definitely a must!

Grated Parmesan – The final touch on this soup is grated parmesan. Optional, but SO delicious and highly recommended!

Homemade Bone Broth for Turkey Wild Rice Soup

One of my favorite ways to use up leftover turkey bones after the holidays? Homemade bone broth! It’s incredibly easy, so nourishing, and gives this soup the most amazing rich flavor.

If you’ve got the bones from your roasted turkey, don’t toss them! Here’s how you can make a simple bone broth:

Place the bones in a large pot or slow cooker.
Add water to cover, plus a splash of apple cider vinegar (this helps extract nutrients from the bones).
Toss in aromatics like onion, garlic, celery, carrots, bay leaves, peppercorns, and a little salt.
Simmer on low for 12–24 hours (or 8–10 hours in the slow cooker).
Strain and use it in this soup recipe in place of the broth!

How to Make Turkey Wild Rice Soup

There are two ways to make Turkey Wild Rice Soup: on the stovetop, or in the slow cooker. The recipe below is for the stovetop method, but I’ve included a slow cooker method here as well!

Stovetop Method for Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

To make a Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup on the stovetop:

Sauté the onion, garlic, and vegetables in a dutch oven (opens in a new tab) (or stock pot).
Add in the rice and broth, then simmer for 30 minutes (covered).
While the soup is cooking, roast the mushrooms in the oven.
Whisk the cream or yogurt with a little bit of warm broth from the soup, then add into the dutch oven or stock pot.
Add the mushrooms and turkey to the soup.
Remove from heat and add in the lemon juice, sage, and parsley.
Top with grated cheese and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Method for Turkey Wild Rice Soup

To make this recipe in the slow cooker:

Place the onion, garlic, oil, and vegetables in the slow cooker (opens in a new tab) and cook on high for 1 hour.
Add in the mushrooms, cook on high for another 30 minutes.
Add the rice and broth, then cook on high for 2.5-3 hours (or until all of the vegetables are soft).
Whisk the cream or yogurt with a little bit of warm broth from the soup, then add into the slow cooker along with the turkey, lemon juice, sage, and parsley.
Cook on high for 30-45 more minutes.
Top with grated cheese and enjoy!

Two bowls of creamy turkey wild rice soup.

Tips

While it’s best to roast the mushrooms in the oven for flavor, they can instead be sautéed with the vegetables in the first step, if desired!
Once you make the creamy broth mixture, feel free to adjust the level of creaminess by only adding in the amount you desire. My tip is to add in a little bit at a time until you get the desired texture!
Additionally, using heavy cream or sour cream will result in a thicker, creamier broth, while using plain whole milk yogurt will result in a thinner, less creamy broth.
If using dried herbs, it’s best to add them in at the beginning with the rice and broth.
Add salt and pepper to taste in different phases of the cooking process. I love adding it when I’m sautéing the vegetables, roasting the mushrooms, and then a little bit more at the end when the soup is simmering!

Of the two options, I definitely think the stovetop method is best. However, the slow cooker method works great too and is perfect for when you’re hosting family for the holidays (and too busy to cook)!

Top view of leftover turkey wild rice soup with a creamy sauce, mushrooms, and parsley.

Storing Turkey Wild Rice Soup

To store this Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup, let it cool completely. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days!

Can You Freeze Wild Rice Turkey Soup?

Yes, you can freeze turkey wild rice soup! To store in the freezer, let it cool completely and then refrigerate in an airtight container for at least 1 hour. Then transfer the soup to the freezer and store for up to 3 months!