Minnesota Wild Rice Hotdish is a legendary dish that appears at almost all cold-weather Minnesota potlucks, especially up North. The farther North you get, the more likely you are to run into a wild rice dish on local menus, church dinners, or a friend’s house. Wild Rice Hotdish Soup, on the other hand, is not something I ran into very often and I am on a personal mission to change that.
Wild Rice Hotdish Soup
Minnesota Wild Rice Hotdish Soup is a comforting and hearty dish that combines the rich flavors of wild rice, lean ground beef, and a creamy base, making it perfect for a cozy dinner. This soup blends the traditional elements of a hotdish with the comforting qualities of a creamy soup, creating a unique and satisfying meal.
This recipe is a little non-traditional in that it doesn’t contain ANY cream-of-whatever soups. Not that I’m opposed to those, but I prefer to skip it when I can.
This soup is an ideal dish for those seeking a flavorful and comforting meal. Its rich combination of lean ground beef, wild rice, and a creamy base creates a hearty and satisfying experience. I love this because it is so versatile; it can be served either as a main dish or a starte. It is simple to make and doable for cooks of all skill levels, whether you are a rookie or an expert. Wild Rice Soup is also highly customizable, allowing for variations in ingredients and seasonings to cater to varied tastes and dietary preferences.
Traeger Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
My secret ingredient for wild rice soup
Know what I DO keep in my house though that came in ALL KINDS OF HANDY with this quick and easy wild rice recipe?
A packet of AU JUS mix.
It isn’t just for sandwiches, you guys.
For this recipe, I happened to have some fresh Instant Pot Wild Rice on hand, which worked wonderfully in this soup. It is quick and easy and cooks the wild rice perfectly.
I’d never made wild rice before under pressure, but I don’t think I’ll ever make it another way again. Perfectly cooked grains. I use this rice in my Corn & Potato Chowder recipe also. LOVE the flavor and texture it adds.
What is wild rice?
Wild rice isn’t RICE at all. Wild rice is the seed of a grass that grows extensively in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and also a bit in Canada. It is naturally gluten-free, if that’s a concern for you, and has a rich nutty flavor and is high in protein, dietary fiber, and amino acids.
You should try and avoid the “cultivated” varieties if you can. They are less expensive, but also less flavorful and lower quality. I always stock up when I go visiting northern Minnesota, or you can find local retailers up there that’ll ship it to you for much less than you can get it in the grocery stores if you aren’t local to the area.
Why you’ll love it!
- Hearty and Satisfying: The combination of meat and rice makes it a filling meal.
- Versatile: Can be adapted to various dietary preferences.
- Easy to Prepare: Simple steps and common ingredients make it accessible.
- Bold Flavors: The blend of seasonings creates a delicious and memorable taste.
Wild Rice Hotdish Soup shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Diced Onion
- Diced Celery
- Lean Ground Beef
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Salt
- Oregano
- Ground Black Pepper
- Water
- Au Jus Mix or Beef Bouillon
- Cooked Wild Rice
- Cream
- Butter
- Flour
Try our Beef Dumpling Soup too!
How to make Minnesota Wild Rice Hotdish Soup
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
1
Brown
Cook ground beef, celery, onions, and seasonings in a skillet until browned.
2
Simmer
Transfer the meat to a stockpot, add water, au jus mix, and wild rice. Simmer.
3
Roux
Melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook until browned. Add to soup.
4
Finish
Stir in the roux, cook until thickened, remove from heat, and add cream.
5
Enjoy
Serve hot with crusty bread.
Try my Instant Pot Wild Rice!
Wild Rice Hotdish Soup FAQ
Can this recipe be made in advance?
Yes, you can prepare it in advance and refrigerate it, which can also enhance the flavors.
What’s the best way to store and reheat the leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or microwave until hot and bubbly.
Can I use a different type of rice?
Yes, other rice varieties can be used, though it will alter the flavor and texture. The cook time for other types of rice is also different, so be sure not to overcook!
Try my Creamy Chicken Wild Rice soup!
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Wild Rice Hotdish Soup
Wild Rice Hotdish Soup is a warm, comforting bowl of rich, delicious beef broth, onions, celery, ground beef, and tender wild rice. It is your favorite casserole, in soup form and minus all of the "Cream Of" additives.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Soup
- 4 cups water
- 1 packet dry Au Jus mix, {can sub beef bouillon if you prefer}
- 3 cups cooked wild rice
- 1/2 cup cream
Roux
- 5 tablespoons butter, {salted}
- 4 tablespoons flour
Instructions
- Place the ground beef, celery, onions, and the seasonings into a large skillet. Cook the over medium to medium-high heat until fully browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- Place the meat into a medium stock pot along with the water, au jus mix, and wild rice. Simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat.
- While the soup is simmering, melt the butter in a small skillet and whisk in the flour to make a roux. Continue cooking over low heat, whisking frequently, until the roux is browned.
- With the soup simmering, stir in the roux and cook until slightly thickened. Should be the consistency of a thinner gravy at this point.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cream. Serve immediately with warm crusty bread and a fresh green salad.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 692Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 178mgSodium: 828mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 47g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.
EL
Thursday 6th of October 2022
Do you mean whisk in the flour? You said this for #3-"While the soup is simmering, melt the butter in a small skillet and whisk in the butter to make a roux."
Nicole Johnson
Friday 7th of October 2022
Yes! Thanks for catching that. I updated it in the recipe. Thanks for visiting!
Dr Martin Huang
Wednesday 20th of December 2017
This is so good and so suitable to have it in this cold winter. Fantastic.