Cranberry Wild Rice Soup (Printable Version)
A vibrant blend of cranberries, wild rice, and vegetables in aromatic broth—hearty, comforting, and perfect for gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
→ Broth
02 - 6 cups vegetable broth, low sodium preferred
03 - 1 bay leaf
→ Vegetables
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
05 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 2 medium carrots, diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Fruits
09 - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
10 - 1 medium apple, peeled and diced
→ Herbs & Seasonings
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried sage
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
→ Creaminess (optional)
16 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
→ Garnish
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
18 - 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)
# Steps to Follow:
01 - In a large soup pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced celery, and diced carrots. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the vegetables are softened, stirring occasionally.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, allowing the aroma to develop.
03 - Add rinsed wild rice, vegetable broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, dried sage, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat.
04 - Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let simmer for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and rice to begin tenderizing.
05 - Add cranberries and diced apple. Continue simmering uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the wild rice is fully tender and cranberries have burst.
06 - Remove bay leaf from soup. Stir in heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk if a creamier consistency is desired. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into serving bowls. Top with chopped fresh parsley and toasted pecans or walnuts if desired. Serve hot.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Uses wholesome ingredients easy to find year round
- Perfect balance of sweet, tart, and savory in one bowl
- Hearty enough for a main course or beautiful as a starter for special meals
- Flexible for dairy free and vegan eaters
- Leftovers taste even better the next day
02 -
- Naturally vegetarian and easy to make vegan
- Rich in fiber from wild rice and vegetables
- Keeps well for three days in the fridge and flavors improve overnight
03 -
- Rinse wild rice thoroughly to wash away starch and keep grains distinct
- Do not add cream until after simmering or risk splitting the soup
- Toast your nuts right before serving for maximum crunch and aroma