Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup Recipe for Cozy Evenings

Wild rice transforms my favorite comfort soup into a creamy, hearty dream that hugs your soul on chilly afternoons.

Cozy Minnesota winters inspired this particular recipe during lazy weekend cooking sessions.

Nutritious grains dance with tender vegetables and rich broth, creating a melody of flavors.

Creamy textures meld perfectly with earthy wild rice kernels, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Pressure cooking unlocks deep, complex flavors in mere minutes without sacrificing ingredient integrity.

Hearty and satisfying, this soup delivers maximum taste with minimal kitchen effort.

You’ll want to savor every spoonful of this soul-warming meal.

Tips to Keep It Creamy Without Overcooking

• Boost Veggie Flavor: Sauté vegetables in olive oil until they caramelize slightly, enhancing their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Rice Cooking Hack: Rinse wild rice before adding to remove excess starch and ensure a better texture in the final soup.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Easily make this soup vegan by using vegetable broth and coconut milk, or swap dairy cream for a lighter option.
• Creamy Texture Trick: Add coconut milk or cream slowly and stir continuously to prevent separation and create a smooth, consistent soup.
• Storage Pro Tip: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days, noting that the rice will continue to absorb liquid as it sits.

Leftover Wild Rice Soup? Here’s How to Store It

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring it cools completely before sealing.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of broth to prevent sticking and maintain creamy consistency.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent hot spots.

What Goes Great with Wild Rice Soup

• Choose a medium-bodied red like pinot noir to complement the earthy mushrooms and wild rice, creating a warm, cozy flavor harmony that enhances the soup's depth.
• Select a sauvignon blanc with herbaceous notes that mirror the thyme and oregano, providing a refreshing contrast to the creamy soup texture.
• Serve a rustic sourdough or whole grain bread with a crusty exterior, perfect for dipping and soaking up the rich, velvety broth, adding delightful textural contrast.
• Prepare a light lemon-infused sparkling water or mocktail to cut through the soup's creaminess and echo the bright lemon juice, offering a palate-cleansing accompaniment.

Tweaks to Change the Wild Rice Game

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace traditional wild rice with certified gluten-free wild rice and ensure broth is gluten-free. Verify all ingredients meet gluten-free standards.
• Vegan Version: Substitute chicken or vegetable broth with mushroom broth. Use full-fat coconut milk instead of cream and add nutritional yeast for extra depth of flavor.
• Low-Sodium Alternative: Select low-sodium vegetable broth. Reduce added salt and enhance flavor with fresh herbs like parsley or chives. Use sodium-free seasonings.
• Protein-Packed Option: Add cooked shredded chicken, diced tofu, or white beans during the finishing stage. Incorporate protein-rich ingredients to boost nutritional value without changing core recipe structure.

Wild Rice Soup: FAQs Answered

• Is wild rice different from regular rice?

Wild rice is actually a grass seed, not a true rice. It’s more nutritious, with a nutty flavor and chewy texture, packed with protein, fiber, and minerals compared to white or brown rice.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, you can easily make this soup vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and ensuring your coconut milk is unsweetened. The recipe is already plant-based friendly.

• What if I don't have an Instant Pot?

You can make this soup on the stovetop by simmering the ingredients in a large pot. Cook the rice separately and add it in, adjusting liquid and cooking times. The process will take longer but will yield similar results.

• How can I add more protein to this soup?

Consider adding cooked chicken, turkey, white beans, or tofu to increase the protein content. These can be stirred in during the final stage of cooking for extra nutrition and heartiness.

Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup in a Flash

• Prepare a nutritious, hearty soup in under an hour, perfect for busy families craving a wholesome dinner solution.
• Packed with vegetables, wild rice, and optional greens, this recipe delivers a nutrient-dense meal that satisfies and nourishes.
• Easily customize with different herbs, swap coconut milk for cream, or add protein like chicken for personalized variations.

Must-Have Ingredients for Wild Rice Soup

• Onion: Aromatic base that provides depth of flavor for the soup.
• Carrots: Adds sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Celery: Contributes classic soup vegetable flavor and texture.
• Garlic: Provides intense, warm flavor foundation.
• Mushrooms: Adds earthy umami and meaty texture to the soup.

• Wild Rice: Hearty, nutty whole grain that gives substantial texture to the soup.
• Thyme: Herbaceous, slightly minty seasoning that complements vegetables.
• Oregano: Warm, slightly bitter herb that enhances overall flavor profile.
• Bay Leaf: Adds subtle depth and aromatic complexity to the soup.
• Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing all other flavors.
• Black Pepper: Provides mild heat and brings out other seasonings.

• Vegetable Broth: Creates the soup's liquid base with rich vegetable flavor.
• Water: Helps adjust soup's consistency and volume.
• Coconut Milk: Adds creamy richness and subtle tropical undertone.
• Spinach or Kale: Nutrient-dense leafy greens that add color and freshness.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic element that lifts and balances the soup's flavors.

Cooking Wild Rice Soup the Quick Way

Step 1: Warm Up the Pot

• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery

Cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables become soft and fragrant.

Step 2: Build Complex Flavors

• Garlic
• Mushrooms

Sauté for additional 2-3 minutes until mushrooms release their moisture.

Step 3: Layer Seasonings

• Wild rice
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Bay leaf
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pour chicken or vegetable broth and water. Mix thoroughly.

Step 4: Pressure Cook

Close Instant Pot lid, set valve to Sealing position. Cook on High Pressure for 25-30 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quickly release remaining pressure.

Step 5: Create Creamy Texture

• Coconut milk
• Chopped spinach or kale
• Lemon juice

Let greens gently wilt for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle into warm bowls. Pair with crusty bread or crackers for a comforting meal.

Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty wild rice soup beckons with Minnesota’s comforting warmth, blending creamy textures and robust flavors from local kitchens. Wild mushrooms, tender chicken, and rich broth come together, promising pure satisfaction for winter dinner companions.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked wild rice (not a blend)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups chopped spinach or kale

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk or cashew cream (or heavy cream for non-vegan)
• Juice of ½ lemon (optional, for brightness)

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Instructions

1. Activate the Instant Pot’s sauté function and drizzle olive oil into the inner pot, creating a sizzling base for flavor development.
2. Introduce diced onions, carrots, and celery to the heated surface, allowing vegetables to soften and caramelize for several minutes.
3. Incorporate minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, stirring continuously to prevent burning and enhance aromatic complexity.
4. Sprinkle wild rice into the vegetable mixture, then add thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to build a robust flavor profile.
5. Pour broth and water into the pot, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed.
6. Secure the Instant Pot lid, positioning the valve to sealing mode, and initiate high-pressure cooking for approximately 35 minutes.
7. After cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a quick pressure release to finalize the cooking process.
8. Gently stir in coconut milk or cream, creating a luxurious texture and rich mouthfeel.
9. Add chopped spinach or kale, allowing the greens to gently wilt and integrate into the soup’s warm environment.
10. Finish with a splash of lemon juice to brighten the overall flavor profile.
11. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, ensuring a perfectly balanced and satisfying soup.
12. Serve steaming hot in individual bowls, accompanied by crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal.

Notes

• Choose low-sodium broth to control salt levels and create a healthier version of the soup.
• Wild rice takes longer to cook than other rice varieties, so patience is key when pressure cooking to ensure perfect texture.
• Swap coconut milk with heavy cream or plant-based alternatives like almond milk for different dietary preferences.
• Add protein by including cooked chicken, tofu, or white beans to make the soup more substantial and filling.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg