The Best Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe for Fall Comfort

Wild rice refines ordinary soup into a hearty, soul-warming experience that whispers comfort with every spoonful.

autumn crisp breeze carries memories of home-cooked meals and family gatherings around steaming bowls.

Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of textures and rich, earthy flavors that dance across your palate.

Each ingredient tells a story of seasonal abundance and culinary creativity.

Nourishing and substantial, this soup provides warmth during chilly evenings when hunger craves something deeply satisfying.

Hearty vegetables and tender grains intermingle, offering a balanced nutrition that feels like a warm embrace.

Crafted with love and simplicity, this recipe promises to become your new cold-weather companion.

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup for Chilly Days

• Create Cozy Comfort: This wild rice soup wraps you in warmth like a soft blanket, perfect for chilly autumn evenings when you need a delicious hug in a bowl.
• Packed with Nutritious Goodness: Loaded with hearty vegetables, wild rice, and kale, this soup delivers a powerhouse of nutrients that nourish your body and soul in every spoonful.
• Versatile Cooking Flexibility: Whether you're an Instant Pot pro or prefer traditional stovetop cooking, this recipe adapts seamlessly to your kitchen style, making it accessible for every home cook.
• Flavor Explosion in Minutes: The combination of Old Bay seasoning, coconut milk, and fresh vegetables creates a complex, rich taste profile that feels like a gourmet meal without complicated preparation.

All the Comforting Ingredients in This Rice Soup

• Wild Rice: A hearty and nutty grain that adds texture and earthy flavor to the soup, with a preference for organic or Minnesota-grown varieties.
• Onion: Provides a foundational savory base with a sweet undertone when cooked, selecting fresh and firm onions for best results.

• Carrots, Celery, Sweet Potato: Colorful vegetables that contribute rich nutrients, sweetness, and depth to the soup's overall profile.
• Mushrooms: Adds an umami and meaty dimension with a soft texture, best when using fresh varieties like cremini or shiitake.
• Garlic: Delivers a robust and aromatic flavor that enhances the soup's complexity, choosing fresh cloves over pre-minced options.
• Kale: Introduces a nutritious green element with a slightly bitter taste, selecting fresh and crisp leaves.

• Vegetable Stock: Creates the soup's liquid base with a light and savory profile, preferring low-sodium options for better flavor control.
• Coconut Milk: Offers a creamy and rich texture with a subtle tropical hint, using full-fat versions for maximum smoothness.
• Bay Leaf: Provides a subtle herbal undertone, remove before serving.
• Old Bay Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Blend of spices that balance and elevate the soup's overall taste, adjusting to personal preference.
• Butter or Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and adds a subtle richness to the cooking process.

Soup-Making Instructions From Start to Simmer

Step 1: Pressure Cook

Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release remaining pressure. Remove bay leaf.

Step 2: Add Creamy Finish

Stir in coconut milk and kale until well blended. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and extra Old Bay if needed.

Step 3: Serve Warm

Ladle into bowls and enjoy the comforting flavors of autumn.

Stovetop Method:

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

Heat butter or olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Sauté onions for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 1: Build the Base

• Vegetable stock
• Wild rice
• Mushrooms
• Carrots
• Celery
• Sweet potato
• Bay leaf
• Old Bay seasoning

Stir to combine thoroughly.

Step 2: Simmer and Soften

Bring soup to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 30-40 minutes until wild rice is tender, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Finish and Enhance

Stir in coconut milk and kale. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and additional Old Bay as desired.

Step 4: Warm and Serve

Ladle into bowls, letting the warm, hearty soup comfort you on a chilly day.

How to Get the Right Texture Every Time

• Rinse Rice Thoroughly: Wash wild rice under cold water to remove excess starch and ensure a clearer, less cloudy soup texture.
• Choose Fresh Vegetables: Select crisp, firm vegetables to maintain their structure and provide a satisfying crunch throughout the soup.
• Control Liquid Levels: Adjust vegetable stock slightly based on desired soup consistency, adding more for a thinner soup or less for a heartier version.
• Layer Seasonings Gradually: Add Old Bay seasoning in small increments, tasting as you go to achieve the perfect balanced flavor profile.
• Maximize Kale Nutrition: Chop kale into smaller pieces to help it cook faster and distribute more evenly throughout the soup, ensuring each spoonful has maximum nutritional benefits.

How to Store and Warm Up Wild Rice Soup

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep kale separate if possible to maintain its texture.
• Freeze: Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing with kale, which can become mushy.
• Reheat: Warm soup gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of vegetable stock if the soup seems too thick. Stir in fresh kale just before serving to restore brightness and texture.

Satisfying Pairings for This Hearty Soup

• Pair with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Grab a warm, tangy slice of sourdough to soak up the rich, creamy soup. The bread's slightly sour notes perfectly complement the earthy wild rice and vegetables.
• Match with Crisp Apple Cider: Pour a chilled glass of local apple cider to enhance the autumnal flavors. Its sweet-tart profile balances the savory soup and adds a refreshing touch to each spoonful.
• Complement with Roasted Butternut Squash Salad: Create a side salad with roasted butternut squash, toasted pecans, and a light maple vinaigrette. The nutty, sweet elements will dance beautifully with the soup's hearty texture.
• Finish with Spiced Chai Latte: Serve a warm chai latte alongside the soup for a cozy flavor experience. The warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom will echo the Old Bay seasoning and create a comforting meal.

Soup Variations That Stick to the Autumn Theme

• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken strips or seared tofu cubes for extra protein, transforming the soup into a hearty meal.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Incorporate diced green chiles, smoked paprika, and a splash of lime juice to give the soup a zesty southwestern kick.
• Creamy Mushroom Emphasis: Increase the mushroom variety by adding porcini, shiitake, and cremini mushrooms, creating a more complex and earthy flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Inspired: Blend in roasted red peppers, crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle fresh oregano to bring Mediterranean warmth to the classic recipe.

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Wild rice soup brings warmth from Minnesota’s northern forests, blending hearty grains with creamy broth and tender vegetables. Comfort flows through each spoonful, inviting you to savor seasonal flavors that embrace chilly evening gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Vegetables:

• 1 large (about 1 pound) sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 1 small white onion, peeled and diced
• 2 large handfuls of kale, roughly chopped with thick stems removed
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 6 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
• 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 ½ tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
• 1 bay leaf
• Fine sea salt
• Freshly-cracked black pepper

Grains:

• 1 cup uncooked wild rice

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Instructions

Instant Pot Method:

1. Prepare the Pot: Gather all ingredients and place them into the Instant Pot, including vegetable stock, wild rice, mushrooms, garlic, carrots, celery, sweet potato, onion, bay leaf, and Old Bay seasoning.
2. Initial Cooking Cycle: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 25 minutes, ensuring a tight seal.
3. Pressure Release: Allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
4. Remove Bay Leaf: Open the lid and discard the bay leaf to prevent any bitter undertones.
5. Final Touch: Gently incorporate coconut milk and kale, stirring until thoroughly integrated.
6. Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional Old Bay if desired. Ladle into warm bowls and enjoy immediately.

Stovetop Method:

1. Aromatics Preparation: Heat butter or olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Sauté onions until translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
2. Garlic Infusion: Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes to release its aromatic essence.
3. Liquid and Base Ingredients: Pour in vegetable stock and add wild rice, mushrooms, carrots, celery, sweet potato, bay leaf, and Old Bay seasoning.
4. Gentle Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and allow soup to simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally until wild rice reaches desired tenderness.
5. Creamy Finale: Stir in coconut milk and kale, ensuring even distribution throughout the soup.
6. Final Seasoning: Taste and adjust with salt, pepper, and additional Old Bay as needed.
7. Serve Warm: Ladle into serving bowls and savor the comforting autumn flavors.

Notes

• This hearty soup bursts with autumn flavors, combining nutrient-packed wild rice and vibrant seasonal vegetables.
• Versatile cooking methods let you prepare the recipe using either an Instant Pot or traditional stovetop technique.
• Wild rice provides a delightful chewy texture and substantial protein boost, making the soup filling and satisfying.
• Coconut milk creates a creamy, velvety base without using heavy dairy, perfect for dairy-free and plant-based diets.
• Old Bay seasoning adds a subtle, warm spice profile that elevates the soup’s overall complexity and depth of flavor.
• Kale introduces a nutritious green element, bringing additional vitamins and a pleasant earthy undertone to the dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg