If you’re anything like me, you hate wasting good food, especially turkey after a big meal. That’s why this Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe is such a game changer. It transforms those leftovers into a cozy, warming soup that’s perfect for any day you want a comforting bowl without the fuss. Plus, it’s loaded with veggies, wild rice goodness, and just the right amount of creaminess. I absolutely love how this soup comes together with minimal effort but maximum flavor, and I know you’re going to too!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Simple: Just toss everything into your slow cooker and let it work its magic.
Perfect Use of Leftovers: Turns leftover turkey into a fresh, flavorful meal.
Hearty and Comforting: Wild rice adds great texture and a nutty flavor you’ll crave.
Family Favorite: Every time I make it, everyone asks for seconds.

The image shows a close-up of creamy soup in a pot with a wooden spoon scooping a mix of ingredients. The soup base is light yellow with a smooth, slightly chunky texture and small green herb bits scattered throughout. The spoon holds a portion featuring layers of diced orange carrots, pale white rice, light green celery, small white pieces of chicken, and green parsley leaves. The soup looks warm and comforting against a white marbled surface background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The blend of turkey, fresh veggies, and that nutty wild rice makes this soup incredibly satisfying. I always recommend using low sodium stock so you can control the seasoning better — plus, the gravy packet adds that rich turkey flavor without extra work.

Cooked turkey: Leftover turkey works perfectly here — if you don’t have turkey, rotisserie chicken is a great substitute.
Carrots: I like them diced small to soften nicely in the cooking time.
Celery: Adds that classic soup crunch and freshness.
White onion: Provides a mild sweetness that balances the savory flavors.
Chicken or turkey stock: A good-quality, low sodium stock lets you adjust salt levels at the end.
Turkey gravy packet: This secret ingredient amps up the depth without any extra effort.
Onion powder, garlic powder, poultry seasoning: These spices round out the flavor with minimal fuss.
Salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste.
Long Grain & Wild Rice “Rice-A-Roni”: I discard the seasoning packet and use just the rice blend for perfect texture.
Heavy cream: Adds that silky richness step right before serving.
Parsley (optional): A fresh sprinkle just before serving brightens up the bowl.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This soup is super adaptable, so feel free to make it your own. I sometimes tweak it depending on what I have on hand or dietary preferences. You’ll find that little changes still keep all the cozy, comforting vibes.

Use Chicken Instead of Turkey: When I don’t have turkey leftovers, I simply swap in shredded rotisserie chicken and use chicken gravy instead.
Regular Rice Swap: If you don’t have Rice-A-Roni on hand, rinsed regular long-grain rice works fine — just add a bit more stock because it absorbs liquid differently.
Dairy-Free: For a creamier but dairy-free option, stir in canned coconut milk or cashew cream instead of heavy cream.
Extra Veggies: Some days I toss in mushrooms, peas, or green beans, just to sneak in more color and nutrients.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Set Up Your Slow Cooker

Start by chopping your cooked turkey into bite-sized pieces. Then dice your carrots, celery, and onion — it’s okay if they’re roughly chopped as long as they’re uniform enough to cook evenly. Add these along with the stock and your seasoning mixes into the slow cooker. Toss in the turkey gravy packet right now; it dissolves nicely and adds that special turkey flavor punch.

Step 2: Slow Cook and Add the Rice

Cover and cook on LOW for about 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. I usually go with LOW because I love the way the flavors marry over the longer time. One hour before you’re ready to serve, stir in the wild rice mixture (but make sure you discard the seasoning packet that comes with it). This timing lets the rice cook perfectly without getting mushy.

Step 3: Finish with Heavy Cream and Seasoning

Right before serving, stir in the heavy cream for that luscious, silky finish. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed — sometimes you’ll want a pinch more to really make those flavors pop. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley if you like, then dig in!

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Pro Tips for Making Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Use Low Sodium Stock: This gives you full control over the salt levels, which is important since gravy packets can add saltiness.
Add Rice Towards the End: I learned the hard way that adding the wild rice too early makes it mushy — adding it an hour before serving keeps it perfectly tender.
Choose Quality Turkey: Leftover dark meat works beautifully here because it stays juicy, but shredded white meat works great too.
Don’t Skip the Cream: It really rounds out the flavors and adds a nice velvety texture that makes this soup feel indulgent.

How to Serve Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe

The dish shows a white bowl filled with creamy soup, layered with small chunks of orange carrots, green celery, and off-white chicken pieces mixed with white rice and herbs. The soup has a thick, smooth texture with visible specks of black pepper sprinkled on top. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with green parsley beside it and a round bread roll in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh parsley is my go-to garnish because it adds a pop of color and a clean, fresh bite against the creamy soup. Sometimes I’ll sprinkle a little crispy bacon or even a handful of shredded mozzarella if we want it extra cozy.

Side Dishes

I love serving this soup with crusty bread — a warm baguette or a chewy sourdough works wonders. Sometimes a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness beautifully. My family also adores buttery garlic toast alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to ladle this soup into mini cast iron pots or rustic bread bowls — it makes the meal feel extra special and la-di-da, even if it started as leftovers. You could also top it with a swirl of pesto or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan to elevate the presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after resting, but be sure to stir gently when reheating to keep the cream from breaking apart.

Freezing

This soup freezes really well, which is great for quick lunches or dinners. I freeze it in individual portions in freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags for easy thawing. Leftovers stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Reheating

When reheating, I do it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. If the soup feels too thick, adding a splash of broth or water helps loosen it up. Avoid the microwave if you can, because slow warming keeps the cream from separating.

FAQs

Can I make this Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe in a regular pot instead of a slow cooker?

Absolutely! You can simmer everything in a large pot on the stove. Just combine all the ingredients except for the rice and cream, simmer until the veggies are tender (about 30 minutes), add the rice and cook until tender (another 45 minutes), then stir in the cream at the end.
What can I substitute for the Rice-A-Roni wild rice mix?

If you don’t have Rice-A-Roni, you can use a mixture of long grain rice and wild rice bought separately. Just rinse the rice well before adding it to the soup and adjust the liquid as needed because different rices absorb differently.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?

This recipe relies on turkey and gravy for its signature flavor, but you could make a vegetarian version using mushrooms or a vegetable protein substitute, vegetable stock, and a vegetarian-friendly gravy. The wild rice and veggies will still provide plenty of comforting texture.
How spicy is this soup? Can I add heat?

This soup is mild and comforting by nature, but if you want to kick it up a notch, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes while cooking does the trick beautifully.
Can I prep this soup ahead of time?

You can absolutely prep the veggies and turkey earlier in the day or the night before and then assemble and cook it when ready. Just wait to add the wild rice and cream until the cooking finishes for the best results.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll give this Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup Recipe a try because it’s truly one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Whether you have turkey leftovers or crave a comforting meal that’s easy to throw together, this soup answers the call. It’s become a staple in my kitchen whenever I want something soothing yet hearty without spending hours cooking. Once you make it, I have a feeling your family will be asking for it again and again — trust me, mine sure do!