Vegetable Wild Rice Soup (Instant Pot and Stove-Top)

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This Cozy Vegetable Wild Rice Soup is made in an instant pot with loads of fresh vegetables and greens, hearty wild rice, aromatic basil, and a deliciously creamy broth. It is a rich, hearty and satisfying soup!

It’s probably one of my favorite soups on a chilly winter evening and when I am feeling under the weather. This soup will truly warm you up from the inside out! This is the best soup ever.

If you are on the hunt for a delicious vegetarian soup recipe that is hearty, filling, and can be made in one pot, this wild rice soup recipe is for you. Instant Pot and stovetop methods are explained!

Vegetable Wild Rice Soup in a white bowl, crusty bread on side

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About this recipe
Ingredients required
Step by step process
Tips, notes, and quick FAQs
More Creamy Soup recipes
Vegetable Wild Rice Soup (Instant pot and stove-top)

About this recipe

This Vegetable Wild Rice Soup is made with Wild Rice, vegetables like spinach, carrots, celery, and baby potatoes and flavored with aromatic herbs like fresh basil and poultry seasoning.

It's made creamy with half and half milk-based roux.

Not only you will enjoy the velvety creamy goodness of this soup but also its unique flavor. It's one of those recipes you'll crave.

This soup takes about an hour to make. But it is 100% worth the effort. And since most of that time is hands-off, it works as an easy lunch and dinner idea, too.

I have tried this soup in an Instant pot as well as on the stovetop. Both ways, it turned just perfect.

But making it in Instant pot is a breeze. It's easy to throw everything into the Instant Pot, set it, and forget it.

This Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup recipe is perfect for cold nights. But even if you're not in a freezing climate, this soup will hit the spot!

Ingredients required

Wild Rice – Wild rice is not rice. It has a heartier, chewier texture and it doesn't get soggy or soft when it's cooked in soup. I like to use Lundberg's blend. It is available at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, and even Amazon! Don't try to substitute it for regular rice or wild rice blend in this recipe. Because different varieties of rice will require different cooking times and seasoning quantities.
Vegetable stock: You could use any stock as the base for this soup.
Vegetables - I have used carrots, celery, Yukon gold potatoes, onions, and garlic. There are so many other veggies that would be great in this soup too, like cauliflower, butternut squash, pumpkin, bell peppers…whatever works for you!
Poultry seasoning – I'm a big fan of using poultry seasoning to season this soup. It is a combination of herbs and spices like nutmeg, sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, and black pepper. It adds flavor and depth to this soup. But if you don't have it on hand, you can use all-purpose seasoning or just use fresh thyme
Greens: I love adding lots of fresh baby spinach to this soup, but kale, collard greens, or any other greens would do.
Half and Half milk: a great way to create a creamy broth without using actual cream to get the right texture and that to without a lot of additional fat and calories. But alternately, you could add in some heavy cream.
Butter: This makes the soup deliciously rich.
Flour: This helps thicken the soup don't omit it.
Salt: As always, for seasoning! It makes all the flavors pop!
Fresh herb: I have added fresh basil. It’s optional but highly recommended.
Fat: I have used olive oil to sauté the vegetables and butter to make the roux. You can use only oil or only butter.

Vegetable Wild Rice Soup pre measured ingredients

Step by step process

Turn on Instant pot on sauté normal mode. Heat oil.
Now add garlic, onion, and celery. Saute for a minute. (image 1)
Now add carrots, potatoes, wild rice, vegetable broth, salt, and poultry seasoning. Stir the soup. (image 2 to 4)
Cover the instant pot, vent valve in sealing position. Press the manual/pressure cook button and set the timer for 45 minutes under high pressure. (image 5 and 6)
Once IP beeps and cooking time is done, switch off the Instant Pot and give a quick release.

Make a roux

During the last 5 minutes that the soup is cooking, prepare roux in a separate saucepan.
In a pan, heat butter. Add All-purpose flour; Cook it for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. (image 7)
Now, add Half and half milk and stir. Cook it for 2 minutes. Switch off the flame. (image 8)
Now, open the instant pot lid, add spinach, basil, and prepared roux in a soup. Mix well. (image 9 to 11)
Cover the pot and let the soup rest for 5 minutes to mingle all the flavors. (image 12)
Note - Initially, you notice there is too much liquid but keep in mind the soup will thicken as it sits.

Your Instant pot wild rice soup is already. Serve it hot with crusty bread, or focaccia bread, and a good salad. Enjoy!

Dunking crusty bread in Vegetable Wild Rice Soup

For making this soup in the pot –

You can cook on the stovetop. Instead of an instant pot, make it in a soup pot or dutch oven.

Follow the same recipe. The only change you need to do is, increase the broth quantity. Instead, of 3 cups add 5 cups of vegetable broth and cook it for about 1 hour or so on medium to high heat, stirring occasionally. Check the liquid in between, add more broth if needed.

Then add roux, spinach, and basil, stir well. Cook for one minute and switch off the flame.

Tips, notes, and quick FAQs

Do not try to substitute wild rice with white rice, wild rice blend, or brown rice.
I love the flavors fresh basil adds to this soup. You can add thyme, rosemary, or any herb of your choice.
If you're making this in an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker, be sure to release the pressure, then turn it off. Or else the rice and vegetables will be overcooked and soggy.
Keep in mind the soup will thicken as it sits.
Based on personal preference, if you would like the soup to have tons of additional flavors, you can add additional seasonings.
To make this soup spicy, you can add jalapenos, serrano pepper, or red chili flakes.

Can I freeze this soup?

Dairy and potatoes don't freeze well because they can split, curdle, and can change the texture so I wouldn't advise freezing them.

What can I substitute Half and half milk for?

Half and half milk makes this soup TRULY creamy and gives different flavors. But if you don't have it on hand, any plant-based milk, heavy cream, or regular whole milk works as a substitute.

How can I make a Lighter version?

To make it lighter, use whole milk or 2% milk instead of half and half.

How can make it vegan?

You can use any plant-based milk like almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, rice milk, or cashew milk. Here is my vegan version of wild rice soup.

Can I store this soup as leftovers?

Yes! This soup will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days in a closed container.
However, the consistency will be thicker like a risotto.
To give leftovers a soup-like consistency, just add in some additional veggie broth or water and heat up in a pot on the stove.

Does this soup work with pre-cooked rice?

Yes! I sometimes do this to save a little time. I cook the wild rice in an Instant pot in advance. Wild rice does take a little longer to cook, about 45-50 minutes, so if you’re short on time feel free to cook the rice beforehand and decrease the overall cook time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. The process of cooking wild rice in Instant Pot is mentioned in my wild rice salad.
However, you don’t need to cook this soup in an instant pot, and you’re going to have to reduce the amount of veggie broth you add to the soup.

How to make this recipe gluten-free?

Skip the roux (the butter/flour step) for the cream sauce, and just whisk some GF cornstarch into a saucepan with cold milk.
Heat the milk until it just barely reaches a simmer, whisking frequently, and the milk will thicken up. Then add it to the soup.

What to serve with this wild rice soup?

I find this soup filling and satisfying all on its own. However, I do like to serve this soup with a thick slice of garlic bread or crusty no-knead bread to soak up the liquid! It also goes great with a fresh and crispy side salad.

The next time you have a day when all you want to do is pull on your cozy blanket and curl up on the couch, make this creamy wild rice soup.

My family loves this soup and chances are your families will love it too.