Rustic Eastern Upper Peninsula Wild Rice Soup
A hearty and comforting soup featuring nutty wild rice and root vegetables, inspired by the regional flavors of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This american-inspired soups ready in about 75 minutes pairs wild rice, medium, diced carrots, diced celery stalks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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
- 1 cup wild rice
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup wild rice under cold water until water runs clear.
- Step 2: In a large pot, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat until foaming, about 1 minute.
- Step 3: Add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, sautéing for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and edges begin to brown.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add rinsed wild rice and 6 cups chicken broth to the pot, stirring well.
- Step 6: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender.
- Step 7: Stir in 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 cup heavy cream, heating gently for 5 more minutes to warm through before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Eastern Upper Peninsula Wild Rice 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 Rustic Eastern Upper Peninsula Wild Rice 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 wild rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Eastern Upper Peninsula Wild Rice 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 Rustic Eastern Upper Peninsula Wild Rice 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 Rustic Eastern Upper Peninsula Wild Rice 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.
