Today’s Slow Cooker Turkey and Wild Rice Soup recipe offers the perfect solution for transforming your holiday turkey leftovers into a hearty, comforting, and incredibly flavorful meal. After indulging in the festive feast, many of us find ourselves with an abundance of turkey, and while classic sandwiches are always an option, it’s wonderful to discover new, creative ways to savor those delicious remnants. This easy-to-prepare soup allows you to do just that, creating a rich and satisfying dish with minimal effort.
Slow Cooker Turkey and Wild Rice Soup: A Heartwarming Post-Holiday Delight
As the brisk air of the holiday season sweeps in, signaling cozy evenings and family gatherings, the anticipation of a grand Thanksgiving meal fills the air. However, once the last slice of pumpkin pie is enjoyed, a common culinary conundrum arises: what to do with the generous quantities of leftover turkey? This Slow Cooker Turkey and Wild Rice Soup is your answer, providing a brilliant and delicious method to extend the holiday spirit into a comforting, soul-satisfying meal. It’s an ideal recipe for anyone looking to avoid food waste while enjoying a truly remarkable homemade soup.
This recipe transforms what might otherwise be a mundane leftover experience into a gourmet delight. Imagine succulent pieces of turkey, simmered slowly with tender vegetables and the earthy, chewy texture of wild rice, all bathed in a creamy, flavorful broth. It’s a dish that embodies warmth and nourishment, perfect for unwinding after a busy holiday weekend or preparing a fuss-free dinner on a chilly weeknight. The beauty of using a slow cooker for this recipe lies in its ability to meld flavors deeply and tenderize ingredients to perfection, all with minimal hands-on time.
Beyond Turkey: Creative Ways to Use Other Holiday Leftovers
While today’s focus is on magnificent turkey, the spirit of repurposing holiday leftovers applies beautifully to other seasonal ingredients too. For instance, if you happen to have leftover ham after your festive meals, there are equally delicious ways to enjoy it. Consider whipping up a batch of Crock Pot Ham and Cheese Grits, a savory and hearty breakfast or brunch option that’s incredibly easy to make in your slow cooker. It’s a fantastic way to start your day with a comforting meal.
Another excellent choice for utilizing leftover ham is a classic Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup. This robust soup is a timeless comfort food, packed with flavor and incredibly filling. Both of these ham recipes showcase the versatility of your slow cooker, proving that it’s not just for weeknight dinners but also for making the most out of your holiday feasts. Exploring these options helps ensure that no delicious morsel goes to waste, transforming yesterday’s dinner into tomorrow’s culinary triumph.
Discovering the Delights of Wild Rice: A Taste of Minnesota
The distinctive flavor and texture of wild rice are central to the appeal of this comforting soup. My appreciation for this unique grain deepened during a recent visit to Minnesota, where I explored Voyageurs National Park. It was fascinating to witness the myriad ways wild rice is celebrated and incorporated into local cuisine throughout the state. From unexpected applications like wild rice on nachos at the Thunderbird Lodge near International Falls to intriguing dishes such as cool whip salad with wild rice and even Waldorf Salad featuring this hardy grain, its versatility is truly remarkable.
Wild rice, despite its name, is technically the seed of an aquatic grass and holds a special place in North American culinary traditions, particularly in Minnesota. It offers a wonderfully nutty, earthy flavor and a satisfyingly chewy texture that stands apart from typical rice varieties. Beyond its unique taste, wild rice is also a nutritional powerhouse, rich in protein, fiber, and essential minerals. Inspired by these diverse culinary encounters, I brought home several packages of authentic Minnesota Wild Rice, eager to experiment and develop new recipes in my own kitchen. If you have a beloved wild rice recipe, I would absolutely love to hear your recommendations!
Integrating wild rice into this turkey soup adds not only a delightful textural contrast but also a layer of gourmet sophistication. It transforms what could be a simple, rustic soup into a more complex and engaging dish. The slow cooking process is particularly beneficial for wild rice, allowing it to fully soften and absorb the rich flavors of the broth and accompanying vegetables without becoming mushy, yielding a perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying result that makes this soup a true standout.
The Unmatched Convenience and Flavor of Slow Cooker Soups
For dishes like our Turkey and Wild Rice Soup, the slow cooker is an indispensable kitchen ally. Its unique cooking method brings a host of benefits that make preparing hearty meals both effortless and extraordinarily flavorful:
- Effortless Preparation: One of the greatest advantages of a slow cooker is its “set it and forget it” convenience. After minimal initial preparation, you simply add your ingredients, turn it on, and let it work its magic. This hands-off approach frees up your time to focus on other tasks or simply relax, knowing a delicious meal is gently simmering.
- Deep Flavor Infusion: The low and slow cooking environment is ideal for developing profound, complex flavors. Ingredients have ample time to meld together, allowing the turkey, vegetables, and wild rice to slowly release their essences into the broth. This results in a much richer and more harmonious taste profile than what can typically be achieved with quicker stovetop methods.
- Achieving Perfect Tenderness: Gentle heat is key to tenderizing meats and vegetables without overcooking them. The turkey pieces remain incredibly moist, the vegetables soften beautifully, and the wild rice cooks to its ideal chewy consistency. This slow process ensures every component of the soup is perfectly cooked.
- Ideal for Meal Prepping: This Turkey and Wild Rice Soup is an excellent candidate for meal preparation. Its flavors often deepen and improve overnight, making it even more delicious the next day. Prepare a large batch and enjoy it for several meals throughout the week, or freeze individual portions for convenient, ready-to-eat dinners whenever you need them.
- Energy Efficiency: Compared to continuously running an oven or multiple stovetop burners for hours, a slow cooker is generally more energy-efficient, making it a smart choice for long cooking times.
Embracing the slow cooker for this recipe not only streamlines your cooking process but also enhances the overall quality and enjoyment of your meal, making it a staple in your collection of comforting family recipes.
Key Ingredients for a Flavorful Slow Cooker Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
Creating an exceptional turkey and wild rice soup begins with selecting the right combination of fresh and robust ingredients. While the comprehensive recipe card below provides all the precise measurements you’ll need, here’s an in-depth look at each component and its role in crafting this delightful soup:
- Onion: As a cornerstone of many savory dishes, chopped onion provides a sweet and pungent aromatic base. Sautéing it briefly before adding it to the slow cooker caramelizes its natural sugars, enhancing the depth of flavor in the soup.
- Oil: A touch of cooking oil, such as olive or vegetable oil, is essential for sautéing the onion. It helps to soften the onion and release its essential flavors, building the foundation of the soup.
- Turkey: The star of this leftover transformation! Diced or shredded cooked turkey, whether white meat, dark meat, or a mix, brings savory richness and protein to the soup. It’s an ideal way to repurpose your holiday bird.
- Celery: Diced celery adds a crisp, slightly peppery note and a subtle textural crunch that complements the other soft ingredients. It’s a classic soup vegetable for good reason, contributing to the aromatic base.
- Carrots: Sweet and vibrant, diced carrots contribute natural sugars and a beautiful color to the soup. They soften beautifully during slow cooking, adding a pleasant sweetness that balances the savory elements. For more inspiration, explore these carrot recipes for every occasion.
- Long Cooking Wild Rice: This is the ingredient that truly defines the soup. Opt for authentic, long-cooking wild rice for its distinct nutty flavor and satisfying chewiness. Avoid instant varieties, as they can become overly soft when slow-cooked for extended periods.
- Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper is a simple yet powerful seasoning that awakens and enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients. Adjust the amount to your personal preference for a gentle warmth.
- Chicken Broth: The liquid foundation that carries all the flavors. A good quality chicken broth provides a savory backbone. Using low-sodium broth allows for precise seasoning control. You can also use turkey broth for an even deeper turkey flavor.
- Evaporated Milk: The secret to achieving a wonderfully creamy and velvety texture without using heavy cream. Evaporated milk adds richness and body to the soup, and it holds up well to slow cooking without curdling.
- All-Purpose Flour: When combined with evaporated milk to form a slurry, flour acts as a thickening agent, giving the soup a desirable, comforting consistency.
- Peas: Added towards the end of cooking, frozen peas contribute a burst of fresh flavor, a pop of bright green color, and a delicate sweetness, complementing the heartier elements of the soup.
Recommended Equipment for a Smooth Soup-Making Experience
Having the right kitchen tools can significantly enhance your cooking process, making it more efficient and enjoyable. For this Slow Cooker Turkey and Wild Rice Soup, these pieces of equipment are particularly helpful:
Vegetable Chopper: This gadget is a game-changer for reducing prep time. Dicing onions, celery, and carrots can be tedious, but a quality vegetable chopper makes quick and uniform cuts, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture throughout your soup.
Crockpot (Slow Cooker): The essential appliance for this recipe! We highly recommend a slow cooker that features a digital timer. This smart function allows you to set your desired cooking duration, after which the unit automatically switches to a “keep warm” setting. This invaluable feature ensures that your soup cooks perfectly without ever overcooking, offering incredible flexibility and peace of mind, especially on busy days. A 6-quart capacity or larger is generally recommended to comfortably accommodate all ingredients.
To perfectly complement your homemade soup, be sure to explore our extensive collection of side dishes for soup. You’ll find ideas ranging from crusty artisanal breads to fresh, vibrant salads that will complete your meal beautifully.
More Delicious Crockpot Soup Recipes to Savor
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and deliciousness of slow-cooked soups, you’re in for a treat! Here are some other highly-rated Crockpot soup recipes that promise the same comforting flavors and minimal effort, perfect for expanding your culinary repertoire:
- Tomato Tortellini Soup: A hearty Italian-inspired creation featuring tender tortellini swimming in a rich, savory tomato broth. It’s an instant family favorite!
- French Onion Soup: Achieve that deep, caramelized onion flavor characteristic of classic French Onion Soup without the constant stovetop attention. Top with a crusty bread and melted cheese for perfection.
- Stuffed Pepper Soup: Enjoy all the robust, savory flavors of traditional stuffed peppers deconstructed into a warm and comforting soup format.
- Zuppa Toscana Soup (Copycat): Recreate the popular Olive Garden favorite at home with ease. This soup features flavorful sausage, tender potatoes, and vibrant kale in a rich, creamy broth.
- Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Copycat): Another delightful Olive Garden-inspired soup, combining tender chicken pieces with soft gnocchi in a creamy, herb-infused base that’s incredibly satisfying.
Don’t stop there! Explore our full and growing collection of Crockpot Soup Recipes for endless inspiration tailored to every season, taste, and occasion. Your slow cooker is about to become your best friend in the kitchen!
Are you an avid home chef constantly seeking fresh ideas and culinary inspiration? Dive into our diverse range of recipes, including tempting copycat recipes that bring your restaurant favorites home, indulgent dessert recipes perfect for satisfying any sweet craving, and of course, our ever-expanding collection of convenient CrockPot Recipes designed to simplify your cooking and maximize flavor with minimal effort.
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Slow Cooker Turkey and Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Print
Rate
15 minutes
6 hours
6 hours 15 minutes
6
229kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- ½ cup Onion chopped
- 2 Teaspoon oil
- 1 cup turkey diced
- 1 cup Celery diced
- 1 cup Carrots diced
- ½ cup wild rice long cooking
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 6 cups Chicken Broth
- 12 oz Evaporated Milk
- ⅓ cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup peas
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. This initial step helps to build a deeper flavor foundation for your soup.
- Carefully transfer the cooked onions, diced turkey, chopped celery, diced carrots, long-cooking wild rice, and black pepper into the crock pot.
- Pour in the chicken broth over all the ingredients and stir everything together thoroughly to ensure they are well combined and submerged.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the wild rice is tender and the vegetables are soft. The extended cooking time allows all the flavors to fully meld into a rich and comforting soup.
- About 20 minutes before serving, in a separate small bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk and all-purpose flour until completely smooth, forming a lump-free slurry. This prevents the flour from clumping when added to the hot soup.
- Stir the evaporated milk and flour mixture into the soup in the crock pot. Then, gently stir in the frozen peas.
- Cover and continue to cook on low for an additional 20 minutes, or until the soup has thickened to your desired consistency and the peas are heated through and vibrant green. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting, hearty soup!
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker (6-quart or larger recommended)
- Large skillet (for cooking onions)
- Whisk
- Cutting board and knife (or vegetable chopper for efficiency)
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 63
Recipe originally shared on November 17, 2017. This revised post includes expanded details, tips, and updated information to enhance your cooking experience.