Introduction

There’s a certain magic in the air when autumn arrives, isn’t there? The crisp breeze and the vibrant foliage just call for a warm, comforting bowl to cozy up with. This is precisely why I crave a steaming bowl of my favorite Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup when the season changes. It’s the ultimate hug in a bowl, so it perfectly captures the essence of fall comfort food.

This Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is a hearty and nourishing blend of chewy wild rice, tender vegetables, and savory herbs simmered in a rich, flavorful broth. What truly sets it apart is its incredible depth of flavor, which comes from a base of sautéed aromatics and a touch of creamy goodness. It’s a uniquely satisfying meal because it manages to be both incredibly wholesome and deeply indulgent at the same time. This recipe aligns perfectly with our mission to create delicious, approachable meals that bring joy to your table without requiring complicated techniques. It’s the ideal make-ahead option for busy weeknights, much like our popular weekly meal prep ideas, and it pairs wonderfully with a simple side of easy no-knead bread for the ultimate autumnal feast. You will love how the simple, whole ingredients come together to create something truly special and memorable for your family.

Why I Love This Recipe

I absolutely love this Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup because it reminds me of family gatherings and the beautiful, changing landscape of my hometown. Whipping up a pot fills my entire kitchen with the most incredible aroma, which instantly makes our house feel like a warm and welcoming haven. It’s my go-to recipe for potlucks and quiet nights alike, so it always delivers comfort and joy in every single spoonful.

Health and Nutrition

Why it’s good for your body

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is a nutritional powerhouse because it nourishes you from the inside out. It is packed with wholesome vegetables, so it delivers a significant dose of essential vitamins and minerals. You get vitamin A from the carrots for healthy vision, while the celery and onions provide antioxidants that fight inflammation. The wild rice itself is a nutritional champion, although it is often mistaken for a grain. It is actually a grass seed that offers more protein and fiber than white or brown rice. This combination keeps you feeling full and satisfied for hours, which helps prevent unhealthy snacking. Furthermore, the lean protein from the chicken or turkey supports muscle repair and keeps your energy levels stable. Enjoying a bowl of this soup means you are feeding your body a complete and balanced meal. Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is also incredibly hydrating because of its broth base. So, even though it feels like a hearty indulgence, you are making a wonderfully healthy choice for your body every single time.

How it fits in a healthy lifestyle

This soup is a perfect cornerstone for a balanced diet. It seamlessly combines complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats into a single, satisfying bowl. For those with specific dietary goals, Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for anyone avoiding gluten. It can also be a fantastic component of a high-protein meal plan, especially when you add an extra helping of chicken or turkey.

From a practical standpoint, it is an ideal make-ahead meal for busy weekdays. You can prepare a large batch on Sunday and have healthy lunches or dinners ready all week, which supports consistent healthy eating habits. The soup freezes beautifully, so you always have a nutritious option on hand to avoid less healthy takeout. For more ideas on incorporating wholesome meals into your routine, explore our guide to easy gluten-free dinners. This makes sticking to your wellness goals simple and delicious.

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

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• Author: Ali
• Total Time: 1 hr
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

This Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup features fresh seasonal produce, hearty wild rice, and a zesty creamy broth. The vegan version of the soup is listed here in this recipe, or see options below for the cream sauce version.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice*
• 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 1 large (about 1 pound) sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1 small white onion, peeled and diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk (or see cream sauce option below*)
• 2 large handfuls of kale, roughly chopped with thick stems removed
• fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper

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Instructions

1. Combine vegetable stock, wild rice, mushrooms, garlic, carrots, celery, sweet potato, onion, bay leaf and Old Bay seasoning in the bowl of an Instant Pot pressure cooker. Stir briefly to combine.
2. Cover and cook on manual (high pressure) for 25 minutes. Let the Instant Pot rest and naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes. Then carefully open the vent and quick release the remaining pressure. Remove lid and discard the bay leaf.
3. Add the coconut milk and kale to the soup, and stir gently until combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper (plus any extra Old Bay seasoning, if you would like) as needed.
4. Serve warm and enjoy!
5. Heat (an extra) 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
6. Add in the vegetable stock, wild rice, mushrooms, carrots, celery, sweet potato, bay leaf and Old Bay seasoning. Stir to combine.
7. Continue cooking until the soup reaches a simmer. Then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until the rice is tender, stirring occasionally.
8. Add the coconut milk and kale to the soup, and stir gently until combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper (plus any extra Old Bay seasoning, if you would like) as needed.
9. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, use authentic wild rice rather than blends. The soup thickens as it cools; add extra broth when reheating. Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months. Coconut milk can be substituted with half-and-half for a non-vegan version.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins
• Method: All-Time Favorites, Dairy-free, Featured, Gluten-Free Recipes, Main Dishes, Soup Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian Recipes

Nutrition

• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 8
• Sodium: 620
• Fat: 10
• Saturated Fat: 8
• Unsaturated Fat: 2
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 42
• Fiber: 5
• Protein: 6
• Cholesterol: 0

How to Prepare This Dish

Steps and time-saving tips

First, gather all your chopped vegetables and herbs. Next, heat a generous drizzle of olive oil in your favorite large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Then, add your diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté them until they become fragrant and tender. Meanwhile, you can measure out your wild rice and broth. After that, stir in the minced garlic and thyme for just one minute until it becomes incredibly aromatic. Immediately pour in your broth and wild rice, and bring everything to a lively boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the pot. Consequently, let the soup cook for about 45 minutes, or until the rice becomes tender and has burst open. Finally, stir in the shredded chicken and kale, and cook for just five more minutes until the greens wilt. For a time-saving tip, use a rotisserie chicken and pre-chopped mirepoix from the grocery store. Ultimately, season your Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup generously with salt and pepper, and ladle it into bowls for a perfect meal.

Mistakes I’ve made and learned from

I have definitely learned a few lessons the hard way with this Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup. Initially, I would add the kale at the very beginning, which resulted in it turning into a sad, mushy mess by the time the rice finished cooking. Now, I always stir it in during the last five minutes for perfect texture. Furthermore, I once made the crucial mistake of not tasting for seasoning at the end. Consequently, my first batch was sadly bland. I now make a habit of tasting and aggressively seasoning with salt and pepper right before serving. For more on balancing flavors, check out my guide on common soup mistakes. Also, if your rice ever comes out too chewy, don’t worry. My post on fixing undercooked rice has a simple solution for that very problem.

Cultural Connection and Variations

Where this recipe comes from

This soup tells a story of harvest and hearth, deeply rooted in the cold-weather cooking traditions of the Upper Midwest, particularly in Minnesota where wild rice is a revered sacred grain for the Ojibwe people. While wild rice grows in cool northern waters, its earthy, nutty flavor perfectly complements the hearty vegetables and squash that define autumn’s bounty. Families often gather to prepare a large pot on a crisp weekend, filling the kitchen with an aroma that promises comfort and warmth.

Although every family has its own version, the foundation remains a celebration of seasonal abundance. The soul of a true Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup lies in its simplicity and the quality of its core ingredients, because it was born from a need to create nourishing, filling meals from what the land provided. You can almost imagine it simmering over a wood stove in a lakeside cabin, even though today we enjoy it in modern kitchens.