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Cozy Slow Cooker Turkey and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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This cozy slow cooker turkey and wild rice soup is a set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers fall-apart tender turkey, perfectly chewy wild rice, and a creamy broth without heavy cream. It’s comfort food that actually makes you feel good, perfect for busy weeks and cold days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless turkey breast, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup chicken or turkey broth (for deglazing)
  • 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
  • 6 cups chicken or turkey broth
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ cup half-and-half or milk (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables start to soften. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Push vegetables to the side of the skillet and add turkey chunks. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Sear the turkey for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  3. Pour ½ cup of broth into the hot skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for a minute, then pour everything from the skillet into the slow cooker.
  4. Add rinsed wild rice to the slow cooker. Pour in 6 cups of broth. Add fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until wild rice is tender and turkey is fork-tender.
  6. Carefully remove turkey chunks from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Discard thyme stems and bay leaves. Return shredded turkey to the pot.
  7. Using an immersion blender, blend about 2 cups of the soup directly in the slow cooker until smooth. This thickens the broth and gives it a creamy texture.
  8. Stir in half-and-half or milk if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper. Let the soup sit for 5 minutes before serving. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh thyme leaves or cracked black pepper.

Notes

Do not skip browning the turkey and vegetables—it adds depth of flavor. Rinse wild rice to remove dust and excess starch. Season in layers: add salt at the beginning and adjust at the end. Add dairy at the very end to prevent curdling. If soup is too thick, stir in extra broth or water. If too thin, cook uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker turkey and wild rice soup, turkey wild rice soup, crockpot turkey soup, creamy turkey soup, healthy turkey soup, gluten-free soup, dairy-free soup option

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/cozy-slow-cooker-turkey-and-wild-rice-soup-recipe/