This hearty and comforting wild rice and mushroom soup is a delightful vegetarian option that promises a rich and flavorful experience. The combination of earthy wild rice, savory mushrooms, and a medley of aromatic vegetables creates a symphony of tastes and textures. The cooking process, with its carefully layered steps, allows the ingredients to meld together, ensuring a satisfying depth of flavor.

The soup begins with a sauté of onions, carrots, and celery in a harmonious blend of olive oil and butter, infusing the base with a comforting aroma. Baby bella mushrooms join the mix, contributing their distinct savory notes and a hint of golden richness. The addition of garlic provides a fragrant kick, enhancing the overall savory profile.

The star of the show, the dry wild rice blend, adds a nutty and chewy texture to the soup. Toasting the rice briefly intensifies its flavor, and the incorporation of poultry seasoning (or Herbs De Provence), kosher salt, and black pepper elevates the overall taste profile. The broth, a combination of lower-sodium vegetable broth and water, infuses the rice with a robust essence, creating a wholesome and satisfying soup.

The finishing touch involves the addition of rich and creamy elements. Whether you opt for the traditional heavy cream or the dairy-free alternative of cashew cream, the result is a luscious and velvety consistency. The final flourish comes in the form of finely grated Parmesan cheese, adding a salty umami kick that ties everything together.

This wild rice and mushroom soup isn’t just a culinary delight; it’s a warm and hearty embrace on a chilly evening. Paired with a crusty bread, it transforms into a cozy weeknight dinner, offering a satisfying and nourishing experience that lingers in both taste and memory.

Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup

Wild rice and mushroom soup is a hearty, vegetarian soup made from scratch. Enjoy this wild rice soup recipe with crusty bread for a cozy weeknight dinner.

Prep Time15minutes mins

Cook Time1hour hr 10minutes mins

Total Time1hour hr 25minutes mins

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 350kcal

Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven or stock pot

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • ¾ cup finely chopped carrots
  • ½ cup finely chopped celery
  • 8 oz. baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup dry wild rice blend (such as Lundberg brand)
  • 1 Tbsp. poultry seasoning (sub Herbs De Provence)
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 4 cups (1 quart) lower sodium vegetable broth
  • ⅔ cup heavy cream (sub cashew cream*)
  • ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Measure out heavy cream and let it sit at room temperature while you prepare soup. Or, prepare cashew cream, if using (see notes for instructions).Heat oil and butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 8 minutes, or until softened.
  • Add mushrooms and garlic, and stir to combine. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring only occasionally, until the mushrooms are soft and slightly golden.
  • Add rice and stir to coat. Let the rice cook for 1 to 2 minutes to lightly toast the grains. Stir in poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Add broth and 1 cup of water; stir well. Bring the mixture to a low boil, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
  • Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream (or cashew cream). Gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to avoid clumping, until all is combined. Remove from heat and ladle into bowls.

Notes

To make homemade cashew cream, pour ⅔ cup boiling water over ⅓ cup raw cashews. Let sit while the soup cooks. When ready to stir in the cream, transfer mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour cashew cream into soup and stir well to combine. 

To Store: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat until warm throughout. You can also reheat this soup in the microwave, however be sure to stop and stir it every 30 to 45 seconds. This helps promote even reheating so the top layer isn’t scolding and bottom is still cold.

To Freeze: Store cooked and cooled leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 725mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g