When brisk air and golden leaves signal autumn’s arrival, nothing feels quite as heartwarming as a steaming bowl of Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup. This creamy, satisfying soup is loaded with earthy wild rice, tender veggies, hints of fragrant herbs, and a touch of cream—guaranteed to wrap you up in comfort. Whether you’re curled up on the couch or gathered around the dinner table, it’s the perfect way to savor all those delicious fall flavors in one cozy, wholesome bowl.

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is wonderfully simple, and each component plays an important role in building depth and comfort into every spoonful. Together, these basics create a harmony of textures and flavors that truly taste like autumn in a bowl.

Olive Oil: Helps the vegetables sauté evenly and adds a hint of fruity richness.
Unsalted Butter: Adds a touch of creaminess and depth to the flavor base.
Yellow Onion: Brings natural sweetness that mellows perfectly as it cooks.
Garlic: Provides a warm, fragrant punch that lifts the entire soup.
Carrots: Offer color and subtle sweetness, plus vibrant autumn vibes.
Celery: Brings a gentle crunch and classic soup flavor that can’t be missed.
Dried Thyme: Delivers earthy notes reminiscent of Thanksgiving stuffing.
Dried Rosemary: Just a hint brings woodsy, aromatic dimension to the broth.
Salt: Essential for balancing and deepening all the other flavors.
Black Pepper: Adds just the right level of warmth and mild spice.
Uncooked Wild Rice Blend: The star of the show brings a nutty, chewy bite unique to this soup.
Low-Sodium Vegetable or Chicken Broth: The foundation that soaks up all the cozy, savory flavors as it simmers.
Bay Leaf: An aromatic background note that enhances the savory depth.
Cooked Shredded Chicken (optional): Makes the soup heartier; perfect if you want to use up leftovers.
Heavy Cream or Full-Fat Coconut Milk: Provides luscious creaminess; coconut milk makes a delicious dairy-free twist.
All-Purpose Flour (or Gluten-Free Flour): Thickens the soup slightly, making it extra indulgent.
Fresh Parsley: A bright green garnish that freshens up each bowl—don’t skip it!

How to Make Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatic Base

Start by heating your olive oil and butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and let them cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and starting to turn golden. These veggies create the hearty foundation and bring a subtle sweetness that makes Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup irresistible.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Herbs

Once your veggies are tender, add the minced garlic, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Cook for just a minute to release those wonderful aromatics, giving the soup a layer of earthy, inviting fragrance that hints at all the goodness to come.

Step 3: Simmer the Wild Rice

Stir in the wild rice blend, pour in the broth, and tuck in the bay leaf. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 45 to 50 minutes. This slow simmer lets the wild rice bloom and soak up all the savory flavors, transforming the broth into a nourishing hug in a bowl.

Step 4: Add Chicken (Optional)

If you’re adding shredded chicken, it’s time to gently mix it in during the last 10 minutes of simmering. This keeps the chicken tender and lets it mingle with the soup’s flavors without drying out—a fantastic way to make your Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup extra hearty.

Step 5: Cream and Thicken

For that signature creamy finish, whisk the cream (or coconut milk) and flour together in a small bowl until smooth, then slowly stir it into the simmering soup. Let it cook uncovered for another 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the soup to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld into silky perfection.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Remove the bay leaf and do a quick taste test to see if you’d like a little more salt or pepper. Ladle your Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup into bowls and sprinkle each serving with a generous shower of fresh parsley for a pop of bright, fresh flavor. Now dig in and savor every cozy bite!

How to Serve Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

Garnishes

A little garnish goes a long way in brightening this soup. Besides a generous handful of chopped fresh parsley, try topping each bowl with a few extra cracks of black pepper, a swirl of cream, or even a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for added richness. These little touches make each serving extra special.

Side Dishes

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is filling on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a hunk of crusty sourdough or a warm, buttery roll—perfect for mopping up every drop. For a lighter side, serve it with a simple mixed greens salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the creamy goodness of the soup.

Creative Ways to Present

For an impressive presentation, try serving the soup in small bread bowls or pretty stoneware mugs for an extra-cuddly touch. Hosting a fall gathering? Ladle the soup into small cups or shot glasses for a delightful appetizer—your guests will love this little taste of autumn comfort!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let leftover Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup cool to room temperature before transferring it to airtight containers. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making tomorrow’s bowl even tastier! Keep it refrigerated and plan to enjoy within four days for best texture and freshness.

Freezing

This soup freezes incredibly well, especially if you leave out the cream or coconut milk until after reheating. Portion cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of room for expansion. It’ll keep well for up to three months—simply add the cream after thawing for that luscious, just-made texture.

Reheating

When it’s time to reheat, gently warm your soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water as needed since the rice will have absorbed more liquid. Stir occasionally until hot, and finish with a fresh sprinkle of parsley for that just-cooked freshness.

FAQs

Can I make Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! Just omit the chicken and use vegetable broth. For a vegan version, substitute the butter with olive oil and use full-fat coconut milk instead of cream—the result is wonderfully rich and comforting, with all the cozy flavors you love.

Can I use pre-cooked or leftover rice?

If you have leftover cooked wild rice, you can stir it in during the last 10 minutes of simmering. Reduce the broth slightly to prevent the soup from becoming too thin, and keep in mind the flavor will be a bit less nutty compared to using uncooked rice simmered in the soup.

How do I make Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup gluten-free?

Great news: the soup is naturally gluten-free if you swap in a gluten-free flour blend when thickening! Always double-check your broth and flour to ensure they’re certified gluten-free.

What’s the best way to add extra veggies?

Feel free to customize with extra vegetables—diced sweet potatoes, mushrooms, or kale are all fantastic additions. Add firmer vegetables at the same time as the carrots and celery, and stir in tender greens like spinach or kale in the final minutes of cooking.

Will the soup thicken as it sits?

Yes, wild rice continues soaking up liquid as the soup cools, making leftovers a little thicker. Simply add a splash of extra broth or water when reheating to get the consistency just right.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a simple way to bring big autumn comfort to your table, you truly can’t go wrong with a steaming pot of Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup. It’s pure fall coziness in a bowl! I hope you give it a try, share it with friends or family, and let it become one of your new seasonal favorites.

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is the perfect comfort food for chilly fall days. Packed with hearty vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a creamy broth, this soup is both satisfying and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetable Mixture:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Soup Base:

¾ cup uncooked wild rice blend
6 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 bay leaf

Additional:

1 cup cooked shredded chicken (optional)
1 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil and butter. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened. Add garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
Add Rice and Broth: Stir in wild rice, broth, and bay leaf. Simmer until rice is tender.
Finish Soup: If using chicken, add it and cook. Whisk cream and flour, then stir into soup. Simmer until thickened. Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning, and garnish with parsley.