Cooking Wild Rice Blend In Soup: A Quick Guide

Cooking wild rice in soup is a great way to add texture and flavour to your dish. It's a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different types of soups, from creamy wild rice soup to chicken and wild rice soup.

There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking wild rice in soup. Firstly, it's important to use actual wild rice and not a wild rice blend, as this will affect the cooking time and texture of the rice. Secondly, wild rice can be cooked directly in the soup, but it's recommended to cook it separately and add it later to control the cooking time and avoid overcooking. Finally, wild rice has a nutty and earthy flavour that pairs well with ingredients like vegetables, herbs, and chicken.

How to cook wild rice in a soup

Ingredients

Depending on the recipe you are following, you will need the following ingredients to cook wild rice in a soup:

• Wild rice
• Water or broth (chicken or vegetable)
• Salt
• Butter or oil
• Vegetables (onion, celery, carrots, garlic, mushrooms)
• Herbs (thyme, rosemary)
• Cream or milk
• Flour

Method

• Rinse and drain the wild rice.
• Place the wild rice, water or broth, and salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat. You can also add butter or oil for flavour.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30-45 minutes. The rice is cooked when some of the kernels are burst open.
• While the rice is cooking, you can prepare the soup base by sautéing vegetables such as onions, celery, and carrots in butter until they are tender.
• Add the cooked rice to the soup base, along with any other desired ingredients such as cream, milk, or herbs.
• Simmer the soup until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.

Tips

• You can soak the wild rice before cooking to reduce the cooking time, but this is not necessary.
• If using a rice cooker or pressure cooker, follow the manufacturer's instructions for cooking wild rice.
• Wild rice blends may require a shorter cooking time, so be sure to check the package instructions.
• You can experiment with different proteins, vegetables, and herbs to make the soup your own.

Ingredients for a wild rice soup

The Rice

Wild rice is the star of the show and a must-have for this soup recipe. It has a firm texture that won't get soggy in the soup. It is a semi-aquatic grass that is typically grown in Minnesota and harvested from lakes. It has a nutty flavour and a hearty, chewy texture.

The Vegetables

Chopped celery, onion, and carrots add flavour to the base of the soup. You can also add mushrooms for an earthy flavour.

The Broth

Use chicken broth or vegetable broth for the soup's liquid base. If you want a vegetarian option, go for a "chicken-style" vegetable broth for extra flavour.

The Dairy

Butter adds richness to the broth. For a vegan option, use vegan butter or olive oil. Evaporated milk or heavy cream adds a rich and creamy texture to the soup. For a vegan option, use coconut milk or dairy-free half-and-half.

The Seasoning

Fresh or dried thyme adds a delicious flavour to the soup. You can also add garlic, rosemary, or sage for extra warmth and depth of flavour.

Wild rice soup recipes

Minnesota Wild Rice Soup

This soup is a great vegetarian option for a cold winter evening. It is creamy and delicious with a rich broth and hearty wild rice. The recipe is simple and includes celery, onion, carrots, garlic, and thyme. The wild rice is cooked separately and then added to the soup. This soup can be made on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot.

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

This soup is a hearty and satisfying option that is similar to chicken noodle soup but with a variety of flavorful rice instead of noodles. It includes onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken broth, thyme, marjoram, sage, rosemary, chicken breasts, flour, milk, and cream. The rice is cooked separately and then added to the soup. This soup is made on the stovetop.

Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup

This soup is a creamy and simple option that is perfect for fall/winter nights. It includes onions, mushrooms, wild rice, vegetable or chicken broth, sage, thyme, garlic, carrots, celery, butter, milk, and cream. There are several variations of this recipe, including a crockpot version and a stovetop version. The Instant Pot version involves sautéing the onions and mushrooms, adding the wild rice and cooking for a bit, and then adding the veggies at the end.

Creamy Wild Rice Soup

This soup is a versatile option that can be customized with different proteins, extra vegetables, and herbs. It includes wild rice, onion, celery, carrot, butter, flour, chicken broth, half-and-half cream, and rosemary. The rice is cooked separately and then added to the soup. This soup can be made on the stovetop.

Can I use a wild rice blend?

Yes, you can use a wild rice blend, but it's not recommended. Wild rice blends are usually a mix of white or brown rice with a few flecks of wild rice. If you use a blend, you will need to adjust the cooking time.

For example, if you're cooking a wild rice blend on the stove, combine 1 cup of the blend with 1 3/4 cups of liquid (water or broth) and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until all the liquid has evaporated.

If you're using an Instant Pot, one source recommends reducing the cooking time. However, another source says that the cooking time will depend on the type of wild rice blend you're using.

How to store leftover wild rice soup

If you have leftover wild rice soup, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for three to five days. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of water to the soup as it tends to thicken when cooled. It is not recommended to freeze this soup, as creamy soups tend to separate when frozen.

Frequently asked questions