Cozy Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup Recipe for Fall Days

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of wild rice and mushroom soup that whispers warmth through every spoonful.

Rich earthy flavors blend seamlessly with delicate cream and tender grains.

Woodland mushrooms add depth and complexity to this rustic dish.

wild rice provides a hearty texture that makes each bite satisfying and nutritious.

Fragrant herbs dance through the soup, creating a symphony of subtle aromatics.

Home cooks can easily craft this soul-nourishing recipe with minimal ingredients and simple techniques.

Let this inviting soup become your next cozy culinary adventure.

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup: Why It’s a Comfort Favorite

• Prepare this soup with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for beginners wanting to impress family and friends.
• Craft a hearty, warming meal that comes together seamlessly with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
• Celebrate earthy mushrooms and nutty wild rice in a creamy, nutrient-packed soup that delivers rich flavors and wholesome goodness.
• Enjoy as a cozy lunch, elegant starter, or satisfying dinner companion that adapts to any dining occasion.

Ingredients List for Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

• Wild Rice: A hearty and nutty grain that provides a robust texture and earthy flavor to the soup.
• Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms that add a rich, umami depth and meaty consistency to the dish.
• Vegetable Broth: The flavorful liquid base that helps cook the rice and creates the soup's foundation.

• Onions, Garlic: These classic aromatics build a deep, savory flavor profile for the soup.
• Thyme: A fragrant herb that brings a subtle, earthy note to complement the wild rice and mushrooms.

• Heavy Cream: Provides a luxurious, velvety smoothness that enriches the soup's overall texture.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the soup's natural flavors.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and creating a smooth cooking base.

Instructions for Creamy Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until the onions become translucent and release their sweet aroma, which takes about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Caramelize Mushrooms

Introduce sliced mushrooms to the pot.

Cook them until they turn tender and develop a gorgeous golden-brown color, approximately 8 minutes.

The mushrooms will release their rich, earthy flavor during this process.

Step 3: Simmer Wild Rice

• Rinsed wild rice
• Vegetable broth

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

Immediately reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently.

Allow the wild rice to cook until it becomes perfectly tender, which typically takes around 45 minutes.

Step 4: Enrich with Cream

Pour in heavy cream and stir thoroughly to create a luxurious, velvety texture.

Let the soup simmer for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 5: Season and Enhance

• Fresh thyme
• Salt
• Pepper

Adjust the seasonings to your personal taste preferences.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the hot, creamy soup into bowls.

If desired, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves for an extra touch of elegance.

Serve immediately and savor the comforting, rich flavors of this wild rice and mushroom soup.

Pro Tips for the Best Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

• Sauté mushrooms in butter before adding to the soup for deeper, richer umami notes.
• Rinse wild rice thoroughly and stir occasionally during cooking to ensure even texture and prevent clumping.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a plant-based version that maintains creamy consistency.
• Adjust liquid quantity by adding more broth if soup becomes too thick, or simmer longer to reduce and thicken.
• Add chopped kale or spinach during the last 10 minutes of cooking for extra nutrients and color.

Store and Reheat Wild Rice Mushroom Soup Easily

• Store soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Pour soup into microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed. Add splash of vegetable broth if soup seems too thick.
• Pour soup into saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add extra broth or cream to restore original consistency. Heat until steaming and reaching 165°F internal temperature.

Great Pairings for Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

• Pair with Rustic Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Pinot Noir to complement the earthy mushroom flavors, enhancing the soup's rich and creamy texture.
• Match with Crusty Artisan Bread: Serve warm sourdough or rustic whole grain bread to soak up the velvety broth and provide delightful textural contrast.
• Elevate with Herbed Goat Cheese Crumbles: Sprinkle tangy, fresh goat cheese on top to add bright acidity and creamy depth to the wild rice and mushroom soup.
• Create a Side Salad with Crisp Greens: Prepare a light arugula salad with toasted walnuts and a lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and provide a fresh palate cleanser.

Tasty Ways to Change Up Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

• Vegan Wellness Bowl: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use vegetable broth. Add roasted chickpeas and extra vegetables like kale or spinach for protein and nutrients.
• Gluten-Free Mushroom Medley: Swap wild rice with quinoa or brown rice. Ensure all broth is certified gluten-free and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
• Protein-Packed Soup: Incorporate cooked chicken or turkey for added protein. Include diced carrots and celery to boost nutritional value and create a heartier meal.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use low-sodium vegetable broth. Replace salt with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage. Add lemon zest for extra flavor without increasing sodium content.

FAQs

• What is wild rice, and how is it different from regular rice?

Wild rice is actually a grass seed native to North America, not a true rice. It has a chewy texture, nutty flavor, and more protein and fiber compared to white rice, making it a nutritious alternative.

• Can I use dried or fresh mushrooms for this soup?

Both work great! Dried mushrooms add intense flavor when rehydrated, while fresh mushrooms provide a more delicate texture. Shiitake, cremini, or mixed wild mushrooms are excellent choices for this recipe.

• Is this soup vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, the recipe is vegetarian as it uses vegetable broth and does not contain any meat. If you want to make it vegan, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream.

• How can I make the soup more protein-rich?

Add cooked white beans, lentils, or tofu to increase protein content. You can also top the soup with roasted nuts like almonds or pumpkin seeds for extra protein and crunch.

Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty wild rice and mushroom soup delivers rich, earthy comfort straight from woodland kitchens. Wisconsin home cooks will savor this soul-warming blend of tender rice, forest mushrooms, and silky cream that nourishes deeply.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup wild rice
• 2 cups mixed mushrooms (cremini and shiitake), sliced
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Base:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high heat, gently sautéing diced onions and fragrant garlic until they become translucent and aromatic, releasing their subtle sweetness.
2. Introduce sliced mushrooms to the pot, allowing them to caramelize and develop a rich, golden-brown exterior while releasing their earthy essence, approximately 7-8 minutes.
3. Incorporate rinsed wild rice and vegetable broth, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer, covering the pot, and allowing the rice to soften and absorb the liquid for 40-45 minutes.
4. Slowly stream in heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a luxurious, velvety texture, and let the soup harmonize its flavors for an additional 8-10 minutes.
5. Elevate the soup’s profile by seasoning with fragrant thyme, carefully balanced salt, and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
6. Ladle the creamy, herb-infused soup into warm bowls, optionally garnishing with delicate thyme sprigs for an elegant visual and aromatic finishing touch.

Notes

• Choose wild rice varieties for authentic, nutty flavor and enhanced nutritional profile.
• Slice mushrooms uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and texture throughout the soup.
• Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy consistency.
• Allow extra simmering time for older wild rice to soften completely and absorb maximum broth flavor.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 63 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg