Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe

The smell of butter melting into onions always reminds me of my grandma’s kitchen. Last October, I made this Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup on a rainy afternoon, and William wandered in three times asking if it was ready yet. The wild rice gets tender and chewy, the ham adds little salty bites, and the cream makes everything rich without feeling heavy. I love that you can make it all in one pot, start to finish, which means less cleanup when you’re already tired.

If you’re after more meals that come together fast, try this Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles Recipe (Ready in 20 Min!) or these Best Crispy Chicken Taquitos | Baked & Ready in 35 Minutes, both are weeknight lifesavers.

Jump to:

Why You’ll Love This Hearty Autumn Soup

Here’s what makes this cozy fall dinner a keeper:

It’s easily adaptable if you don’t have ham or want to make it vegetarian

It’s a pressure cooker soup recipe that saves you time without sacrificing flavor

The Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup has this wonderful chewy texture that makes each spoonful satisfying

You can prep everything in under 10 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights

It’s a filling soup recipe that works as a complete meal

Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to marry

Jump to:

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this smooth and comforting soup.

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities

Wild rice or wild rice blend: This is the heart of the soup. Wild rice has a nutty, earthy flavor and stays chewy even after cooking, giving the soup great texture.
Water: Used to cook the rice in your Instant Pot. Follow the amounts your pot recommends for best results.
Butter: Creates the rich, velvety base of this butter-based soup and helps the flour blend smoothly. Starting with real butter makes a big difference in flavor.
Onion, minced: Adds sweetness and depth. The small dice helps it melt into the soup.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the broth and gives it that creamy texture without making it gummy.
Chicken broth: The savory foundation that brings everything together. Use a good quality broth for the best flavor.
Allspice or nutmeg (optional): Just a pinch adds warmth and a subtle complexity you can’t quite name but makes the soup taste homemade.
Cooked ham, minced: Provides salty, savory bites throughout. Leftover ham from a holiday meal works beautifully here.
Carrots, minced or shredded: Adds color, a touch of sweetness, and extra nutrition.
Half-and-half cream: Makes the soup luxuriously creamy. You can use whole milk if you prefer something lighter.
Salt and pepper: Essential for bringing out all the flavors. Taste and adjust at the end.

How To Make Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

Follow these simple steps to make your fall Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup from start to finish.

Cook the wild rice: Place the wild rice and water in your Instant Pot. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and use the rice setting according to your Instant Pot directions. The rice should be tender and the water fully absorbed when it’s done.

Switch to sauté mode: Once the rice finishes cooking and you’ve released the pressure, turn your Instant Pot to the sauté function. This lets you build the rest of the soup right in the same pot.

Cook the vegetables: Add the butter, minced onions, and minced or shredded carrots to the cooked rice. Stir constantly to prevent sticking. The carrots should start becoming tender after a few minutes. If things get too hot, adjust your temperature down a bit.

Cooked wild rice mixed with diced carrots, onions, and peppers sautéing in an Instant Pot with melted butter and a wooden spoon.

Add the flour: Sprinkle the flour over the butter and vegetable mixture. Stir well to combine everything evenly. This creates the base that will thicken your soup.

Pour in the broth: Add the chicken broth and your choice of nutmeg or allspice if you’re using it. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly to keep anything from sticking to the bottom. Adjust the Instant Pot to medium-low so it maintains a gentle simmer instead of a rolling boil.

Chicken broth being poured from a measuring cup into an Instant Pot filled with wild rice and chopped vegetables, with a wooden spoon inside.

Stir in the ham: When the carrots are tender and the soup has started to thicken, add the minced cooked ham. Stir it through so it’s evenly distributed.

Finish with cream: Pour in the half-and-half and stir gently. This is important: don’t let the soup boil after adding the dairy, or it might curdle. Keep the heat low and just warm it through. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Cream being poured into creamy wild rice soup inside an Instant Pot, creating a rich texture with visible rice and vegetables.

Serve hot: Ladle the soup into bowls while it’s still steaming. The aroma alone will make everyone gather around the table.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

This Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup with ham is forgiving and easy to adapt based on what you have on hand.

For the wild rice: If you can’t find wild rice, use a brown rice blend or even regular long-grain rice. The texture will be different but still delicious. Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup tends to cook more evenly.

For the ham: Swap it for cooked chicken, turkey, or crumbled bacon. You can also leave out the meat entirely for a vegetarian version. If you skip the meat, consider adding mushrooms for that savory, umami flavor.

For the cream: Use whole milk, evaporated milk, or even coconut cream if you’re avoiding dairy. Each will give you a slightly different texture, but all work well in this Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup with half-and-half.

For the broth: Vegetable broth makes this vegetarian-friendly. You could also use turkey or beef broth depending on what you have.

Add more vegetables: Celery, mushrooms, or even some frozen peas stirred in at the end make this Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup recipe even heartier Healthy One Pot French Onion Pasta Recipe.\

Equipment For Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

The beauty of this Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is that you really only need one piece of equipment:

Instant Pot: This does all the work, from cooking the rice to building the soup. A 6-quart model is perfect for this Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup.
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula: For stirring, especially when you add the flour.
Measuring cups and spoons: To keep your proportions right.
Sharp knife and cutting board: For mincing the onions, ham, and carrots.

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can make this on the stovetop. Just cook your wild rice separately according to package directions, then build the soup in a large pot or Dutch oven. It’ll take a bit longer, but the results are just as cozy.

Storage Your Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

This make-ahead soup stores beautifully, which is one of the reasons I love it so much.

Refrigerator: Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It’ll keep for 4 to 5 days in the fridge. The soup will thicken as it sits because the rice absorbs more liquid. Just add a splash of broth or milk when you reheat it to loosen it back up.

Freezer: This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. I like to freeze it in individual portions so I can pull out just what I need for lunch. The texture of the cream might change slightly after freezing, but a good stir as it reheats usually brings it back together.

Reheating: Warm it gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave individual portions. Add a bit of extra broth or cream if it’s gotten too thick.

Expert Tips

Don’t rush the rice: Let the Instant Pot do its job with the rice setting. Properly cooked wild rice should be tender but still have that signature chewy bite.

Stir the flour in well: Make sure there are no lumps when you add the flour. This is what gives you that smooth, rich and creamy soup texture instead of a grainy one.

Keep the heat gentle after adding cream: Once the half-and-half goes in, you want warmth, not a boil. High heat can cause dairy to separate or curdle.

Taste before serving: The ham and broth both have salt, so you might not need much extra. Always taste first and adjust your seasoning at the very end.

Bowl of creamy wild rice soup with vegetables and herbs, showing a thick, comforting texture.

FAQ

Is wild rice actually healthy?

Yes, Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is packed with good stuff! It’s higher in protein and fiber than white rice, and it’s got a nice mix of B vitamins and minerals like zinc and phosphorus. It’s also lower on the glycemic index, which means it won’t spike your blood sugar as quickly. Plus, it just tastes good, and that’s half the battle when you’re trying to eat well. My mom always said food that makes you feel good and tastes good is the healthiest kind.

How to cook and eat wild rice?

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup needs more water and a longer cooking time than regular rice. In an Instant Pot, use the rice setting and follow your machine’s directions. On the stovetop, use about 3 cups of water for every 1 cup of wild rice and simmer for 45 to 50 minutes until the grains burst open. You can eat it on its own as a side dish, toss it into salads, or use it in soups like this one. It’s got a nutty, almost earthy flavor that pairs well with butter, herbs, and savory ingredients.

What Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is good for autumn?

Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is the season for hearty, warming soups! This wild rice soup is perfect, but you’d also love butternut squash soup, chicken and dumplings, creamy tomato soup, or a good old-fashioned vegetable soup. Anything with root vegetables, beans, or grains feels right when the air turns crisp. The key is something that fills you up and makes your kitchen smell amazing while it cooks.

Is it necessary to soak Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup?

No, you don’t need to Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup before cooking, though some people do it to shorten the cooking time a bit. I usually skip this step because the Instant Pot handles it so well without soaking. If you do want to soak it, cover the rice with water and let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then drain before cooking. It might save you 10 to 15 minutes of cook time, but honestly, it’s not necessary.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup