If you’re craving something soothing and full of earthy goodness, you have to try this Cozy Winter Wild Rice Soup Recipe. It’s a hearty, flavorful bowl that combines tender wild rice, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms with the vibrant freshness of kale, all brought together in a creamy, spiced broth. This soup feels like a warm hug on a chilly day and hits every note of comfort without weighing you down. Whether you’re looking for a wholesome weeknight dinner or a dish to share with loved ones, this recipe will become your new winter favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may seem simple, but each one plays an essential role in layering flavors and textures to create a truly comforting soup. From the nutty chew of wild rice to the velvety richness of coconut milk, everything comes together beautifully.
- Vegetable stock (6 cups): The flavorful base that infuses the soup with warmth and depth.
- Wild rice (1 cup uncooked): Adds a nutty flavor and chewy texture, perfect for a hearty winter soup.
- Baby bella mushrooms (8 ounces, sliced): Bring an earthy, savory note that complements the vegetables.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Provides a fragrant punch that elevates every spoonful.
- Carrots (2 medium, diced): Sweetness and vibrant color add freshness and contrast.
- Celery (2 ribs, diced): Adds subtle crunch and depth to the broth.
- Sweet potato (1 large, peeled and diced): Brings natural sweetness and creaminess as it cooks down.
- White onion (1 small, diced): Adds a mild sharpness that softens beautifully in the soup.
- Bay leaf (1): Imparts a gentle herbal aroma that rounds out the flavors.
- Old Bay seasoning (1½ tablespoons): A secret spice blend that adds warmth and complexity.
- Unsweetened coconut milk (1 can, 14 ounces): Creates a velvety, dairy-free creaminess that embraces every ingredient.
- Kale (2 large handfuls, roughly chopped): Adds vibrant color, a touch of bitterness, and a nuttiness that brightens the soup.
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste): Essential seasonings to balance all the flavors perfectly.
How to Make Cozy Winter Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Gather your chopped vegetables, wild rice, and seasonings, then combine them all in your Instant Pot along with the vegetable stock. Give everything a good stir to distribute each ingredient evenly, ensuring that every spoonful will be rich with flavor and texture.
Step 2: Pressure Cook the Soup
Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to manual high pressure for 25 minutes. This method cooks the wild rice perfectly, softens the sweet potatoes just right, and melds all the spices together into a harmonious base.
Step 3: Naturally Release Pressure
Once the cooking cycle finishes, allow the soup to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. This gentle process helps keep the wild rice tender without turning mushy. After the natural release, carefully vent any remaining pressure and open the lid. Don’t forget to remove the bay leaf at this stage.
Step 4: Finish with Coconut Milk and Kale
Stir in the creamy coconut milk and fresh kale, folding them gently into the hot soup. The kale will wilt just enough, adding a lovely pop of green and a nutritious boost, while the coconut milk provides a luscious finish that rounds out the flavors.
Step 5: Season to Taste
Now is the time to adjust your seasoning! Add fine sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, or a little extra Old Bay seasoning if you want a bolder kick. Taste as you go until it feels just right — this step makes all the difference.
Step 6: Serve Warm
Ladle your comforting Cozy Winter Wild Rice Soup Recipe into bowls and prepare to enjoy it at its coziest. This soup is perfect on its own or paired with crusty bread for dipping.
How to Serve Cozy Winter Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Finish your bowl with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, or even a few crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds to add texture and a burst of freshness. Garnishes really elevate the soup and make it feel extra special.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with a simple side salad, crusty artisan bread, or garlic toast. These sides add contrast and help make your meal feel complete, perfect for warming up after a brisk winter walk.
Creative Ways to Present
For an inviting presentation, serve the soup in mini pumpkins or bread bowls. Adding a swirl of coconut cream or a sprinkle of grated vegan cheese can add visual appeal and extra indulgence, perfect for entertaining guests or cozy family dinners.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 4 days, making for easy, heartwarming leftovers.
Freezing
This Cozy Winter Wild Rice Soup Recipe freezes wonderfully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some headspace for expansion, and keep it frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of water or stock if the soup thickens too much. You can also reheat in the microwave, stirring every minute so it heats evenly. The kale and coconut milk still taste delicious even the next day.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of wild rice?
Absolutely! Brown rice will also work well in this soup, though the texture will be a bit softer and the cooking time may vary slightly. Adjust cooking accordingly to ensure the rice is tender but not mushy.
Is this soup vegan-friendly?
Yes, this Cozy Winter Wild Rice Soup Recipe is naturally vegan when you use vegetable stock and unsweetened coconut milk. It’s a perfect plant-based comfort meal that’s satisfying for everyone.
Can I make this on the stove instead of an Instant Pot?
Yes! To make it on the stove, simmer all the ingredients (except coconut milk and kale) in a large pot for about 45 minutes until the rice and vegetables are tender. Stir in the coconut milk and kale at the end and cook until the kale wilts.
What can I add for extra protein?
If you want to boost protein, consider stirring in some cooked white beans, chickpeas, or even shredded cooked chicken if you don’t need it vegan. These additions will keep the soup hearty and filling.
How spicy is the Old Bay seasoning in this recipe?
Old Bay seasoning adds a mild warmth with hints of paprika and spices but isn’t overly spicy. If you prefer more heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to taste.
Final Thoughts
This Cozy Winter Wild Rice Soup Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like home in a bowl — easy to make, packed with nourishing ingredients, and bursting with flavor. Give it a try this season, and I promise it will quickly become your go-to soup for chilly evenings and cozy weekends.
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Cozy Winter Wild Rice Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes (pressure cooking) plus 10 minutes (natural release)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This cozy Winter Wild Rice Soup is a hearty and nourishing blend of wild rice, vegetables, and savory seasonings cooked in an Instant Pot. Featuring earthy baby bella mushrooms, sweet potatoes, kale, and a creamy touch of coconut milk, it’s a perfect warming dish for chilly days that serves six.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 6 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice
- 1 bay leaf
- 1½ tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
Vegetables
- 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 large sweet potato (about 1 lb), peeled and diced
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 2 large handfuls of kale, roughly chopped with thick stems removed
Finishing Touch
- 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
- Fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Combine the vegetable stock, wild rice, sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, diced carrots, diced celery, peeled and diced sweet potato, diced onion, bay leaf, and Old Bay seasoning in the bowl of an Instant Pot. Stir well to mix all the ingredients evenly.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set it to manual (high pressure) for 25 minutes to thoroughly cook the rice and vegetables, infusing the flavors.
- Release Pressure: Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. After that, carefully vent to release any remaining pressure. Open the lid and discard the bay leaf.
- Finish the Soup: Stir in the unsweetened coconut milk and the roughly chopped kale until fully incorporated and the kale slightly wilts into the hot soup.
- Season to Taste: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with fine sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and additional Old Bay seasoning if desired to enhance the flavor.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm, optionally accompanied by crusty bread or your favorite soup toppings for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can use chicken stock instead of vegetable stock if preferred for a richer flavor.
- If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, a blend of paprika, celery salt, and black pepper works well as a substitute.
- Allowing the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure helps maintain the texture of the wild rice and vegetables.
- For a vegan version, ensure vegetable stock is used and check that the Old Bay seasoning does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
