Wild rice soup is a comforting and flavorful dish, perfect for cooler weather or anytime you’re craving a hearty meal. Here’s a delicious recipe for wild rice soup:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup wild rice
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk (whole milk or half-and-half for a creamier soup)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Rinse the wild rice under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the wild rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has burst open.
- In a separate large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- In the same pot with the bacon fat, add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the sliced mushrooms and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the mushrooms are softened.
- Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, and dried sage, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables in the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the soup has thickened slightly.
- Add the cooked wild rice (including any remaining broth) to the soup. Stir well to combine.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Ladle the wild rice soup into bowls. Garnish with the crispy bacon pieces and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve the soup hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of this delicious wild rice soup!
Feel free to customize this recipe by adding other vegetables such as peas, corn, or spinach. You can also add cooked chicken or turkey for extra protein. Enjoy your homemade wild rice soup!
