This Leftover Turkey Rice Soup is the ultimate way to use up holiday leftovers. It’s an easy one-pot recipe with wild rice, mushrooms and a splash of cream that makes for a cozy, no-stress weeknight dinner.
1medium leeksliced (white and light green parts only)
1medium carrotdiced
2celery stalksdiced
4garlic clovesfinely chopped
½tablespoonfresh thymefinely chopped
2fresh sage leavessliced
2cupscremini mushroomssliced
4tablespoonsplain flour
6cupschicken broth
1cupwild rice mix
2cupsleftover turkey meatdiced or shredded
½cupheavy cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced leek, carrot and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until the leeks are softened and translucent.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium leek
1 medium carrot
2 celery stalks
Stir in the chopped garlic, thyme and sage leaves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4 garlic cloves
½ tablespoon fresh thyme
2 fresh sage leaves
Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes until they begin to brown and release their liquid.
2 cups cremini mushrooms
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
4 tablespoons plain flour
Slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking or stirring to incorporate the flour without lumps.
6 cups chicken broth
Stir in the wild rice mix. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes until the rice is tender.
1 cup wild rice mix
Add the turkey meat and heavy cream and heat through for 5 minutes.
2 cups leftover turkey meat
½ cup heavy cream
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Video
Notes
This recipe is timed for a wild rice blend. If using "instant" or "quick-cook" rice, wait to add it until the last 10 minutes of cooking to avoid a mushy texture.
When adding the broth to the flour-coated vegetables, pour the first 2 cups slowly while stirring constantly. This creates a smooth paste and prevents flour lumps.