Ham And Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Imagine cozying up to a steaming bowl of Ham and Wild Rice Soup on a chilly day, the rich aromas of ham, herbs, and earthy wild rice filling the air. It’s comfort in a bowl-warm, hearty, and packed with flavor. This soup is the perfect blend of savory, smoky, and satisfying. It’s easy to make, full of nutrients, and it brings a sense of home no matter where you are. Whether you have leftover ham from a holiday feast or just a craving for something comforting and filling, this soup will become your go-to recipe. It’s one of those dishes that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and it’s also versatile enough to be customized to your taste.

So let’s get into it! I’ll walk you through a step-by-step breakdown of this Ham and Wild Rice Soup recipe, all while sharing some cooking tips and ingredient insights. You’ll also find ways to switch it up depending on what you have in your pantry. Ready to make the perfect soup?

Ham And Wild Rice Soup Recipe

This Ham and Wild Rice Soup is simple yet elegant, combining the rich flavor of ham with the nutty, chewy texture of wild rice. The broth is creamy, comforting, and brimming with fresh vegetables. Think of it as a one-pot meal that delivers everything you want in a hearty soup. The best part? You can make it on a stove or slow-cook it for even more depth of flavor.

Ingredients Needed

Before you start, gather the following ingredients. You may already have a lot of these in your kitchen!

• Ham (1 to 1.5 cups, chopped into bite-sized cubes)
• Wild rice (1 cup, rinsed)
• Carrots (2, peeled and diced)
• Celery (2 stalks, diced)
• Onion (1 medium, chopped)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Chicken broth (4 cups, low-sodium recommended)
• Milk (2 cups, or heavy cream for a richer version)
• Flour (2 tablespoons, for thickening)
• Butter (2 tablespoons)
• Olive oil (for sautéing)
• Thyme (1 teaspoon dried or a few sprigs fresh)
• Bay leaf (1-2 leaves)
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Parsley (fresh, for garnish)
• Lemon juice (optional, for a bright finish)

Cooking Instructions

Now that we’ve got everything prepped and ready, let’s dive into making this amazing soup.

1. Prep Your Ingredients

   • Cube the ham, dice the vegetables, and rinse the wild rice. This will help make the process smoother once you start cooking.

2. Sauté The Vegetables

   • Heat a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter in a large soup pot over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the veggies are tender and the onions are translucent.
   • Add the garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, making sure it doesn’t burn.

3. Add The Ham

   • Stir in the chopped ham and cook for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the ham to release some of its flavors and get a bit crispy around the edges.

4. Cook The Wild Rice

   • Add the rinsed wild rice to the pot, stirring everything together.
   • Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil.
   • Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the rice simmer for about 45 minutes, or until it’s tender and the liquid has reduced.

5. Make It Creamy

   • In a small pan, melt the remaining butter and whisk in the flour to form a roux. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is golden.
   • Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
   • Add this creamy mixture to the soup, stirring well to combine.

6. Final Touches

   • Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and possibly a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
   • Garnish with freshly chopped parsley just before serving.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s take a moment to explore a few of the key ingredients and why they’re so essential to this soup:

• Ham: The smoky, salty ham is the heart of this dish. You can use leftover ham, ham steaks, or even deli ham depending on what you have available. It’s the star flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy broth.
• Wild rice: Wild rice isn’t actually a true rice but a water-grass seed. Its texture is much firmer and chewier than regular rice, and it has a wonderfully nutty flavor that balances the richness of the ham and the creamy broth.
• Broth: Chicken broth provides the base for the soup. You can use vegetable or even ham broth if you have it, but chicken broth works best to keep the flavors balanced and mild.
• Milk or cream: This adds the creamy element to the soup, which makes it comforting and luxurious. If you want an ultra-creamy soup, go for heavy cream.
• Herbs: Thyme and bay leaves are classic aromatics for soups. Thyme brings a subtle earthiness, while bay leaves contribute depth and richness to the broth.

Expert Tips

• Use leftover ham: If you’ve just had a holiday ham, this is the perfect recipe to use up those leftovers. The flavor of the ham deepens the soup’s richness.
• Don’t rush the rice: Wild rice takes longer to cook than regular rice, so be patient. It should be tender but still have some chewiness to it.
• Make it ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day, as the flavors continue to meld. If you have leftovers, it freezes beautifully too.
• Don’t skip the roux: For that smooth, velvety texture, the roux is essential. It thickens the broth and gives the soup that luxurious, creamy consistency.
• Add a splash of lemon: A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens up the soup and enhances all the flavors.

Recipe Variations

This Ham and Wild Rice Soup is incredibly versatile, and you can mix things up based on what you have on hand or what suits your tastes. Here are a few variations:

• Vegetarian version: Skip the ham and use vegetable broth, adding mushrooms or another protein source like chickpeas to keep it hearty.
• Add greens: Stir in spinach, kale, or other greens towards the end of cooking. The greens add color, flavor, and extra nutrients to the soup.
• Spicy kick: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to give the soup a spicy flair.
• Change the grains: While wild rice is a perfect choice for this soup, you can also try brown rice, barley, or even quinoa for a different twist on texture.

Final Words

This Ham and Wild Rice Soup is the perfect meal for any occasion where comfort food is in order. Whether it’s a busy weekday or a leisurely weekend, this recipe is both easy to make and deeply satisfying. It’s nourishing, filling, and brimming with flavors that you and your family will love.