Kenosha-Style Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup
A comforting creamy soup blending earthy wild rice and mushrooms, inspired by the hearty Midwestern regional flavors of Kenosha, Wisconsin. This american-inspired soups ready in about 75 minutes pairs uncooked wild rice, water, tablespoons olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice
- 3 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup half-and-half cream
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice with 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until tender. Drain any excess water and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and 2 cloves minced garlic to the pot. Cook for 6-7 minutes until the mushrooms release moisture and become golden.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes to form a roux that thickens the soup.
- Step 5: Gradually whisk in 4 cups vegetable broth, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
- Step 6: Add the cooked wild rice, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer the soup for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 7: Lower the heat and stir in 1 cup half-and-half cream. Heat through for 3 minutes without boiling.
- Step 8: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kenosha-Style Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Kenosha-Style Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep uncooked wild rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Kenosha-Style Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Kenosha-Style Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Kenosha-Style Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
