Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup


13 Comments


This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup is a comforting dish that can be enjoyed any time of the year, especially during soup season. Made with turkey, hearty rice, and a medley of veggies and fresh herbs, this is a soup your family is sure to enjoy!

Pair this soup with my Slow Cooker Cornbread and then finish the meal with a helping of Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler.

ladle of slow cooker turkey and rice soup.
Save Recipe
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

We love making homemade turkey and rice soup in our crockpot. This recipe features tender turkey tenderloins, though it’s also an ideal way to use leftover holiday turkey, which adds a deliciously rich flavor to every bite. Made completely from scratch, this soup captures those classic, comforting flavors that have been passed down in our family. It’s the kind of hearty, flavorful soup that brings back memories of my grandma’s kitchen, where it was a staple on chilly days.

Craving noodles instead of rice? Try my slow cooker turkey noodle soup.

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for slow cooker turkey and rice soup on a table.
  • Turkey Breast Tenderloins: Turkey packaged like this is not more expensive than chicken breasts. You can also substitute with chicken breast. You can also substitute with chicken breast or use leftover turkey from another meal.
  • Vegetables: Sliced mushrooms, carrots, celery, and white onion add the perfect combo of veggies that make this soup both hearty and healthy.
  • Seasonings: Minced garlic, dried basil, dried thyme, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and bay leaves provide the amazingly tasting flavor you’ll instantly notice from the first bite.
  • Broth: You can use chicken broth or turkey broth. Chicken stock, homemade turkey stock, or vegetable broth works as well.
  • Brown Rice: I suggest using Minute Brand brown rice (uncooked). Another option is the wild rice blend.

Step-by-Step Directions

Step One – Place everything but the rice into the slow cooker; stir. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

Step Two – After the cooking time is done discard the bay leaves. Shred the turkey with 2 forks.

Step Three – Add the dry Minute brown rice; stir, cover, and cook for 20 minutes on HIGH.

Step Four – Give the soup a good stir. Serve and enjoy.

overhead of slow cooker turkey and rice soup.

How to Serve:

  • One of the easiest ways to serve is by adding some of the steaming soup into a bowl and savor it as is.
  • Pair your Turkey and Rice Soup with a crusty bread or a side salad for a more filling meal.
  • Add a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, or a dash of red pepper flakes to customize your soup.
serving of slow cooker turkey and rice soup in a white bowl with a spoon.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use standard brown rice instead of minute rice?

You may use standard brown rice, but it must be cooked separately on stove top, then stir it in the soup at the end.

Can I make a freezer meal with this turkey rice soup recipe?

Yes! Put everything except the chicken broth and rice into a ziplock bag. Place in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw before putting into slow cooker. Add broth and cook as directed, add the instant brown rice at the end of cooking time.

How do I store leftover soup?

Store any remaining soup in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It’s best consumed within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.

Are there any suitable substitutions for turkey?

If turkey is not your preference, feel free to substitute with rotisserie chicken or shredded leftover chicken. This comforting soup remains just as delightful with these alternatives.

overhead of slow cooker turkey and rice soup in a bowl with a spoon.

More slow cooker soup recipes:

overhead of slow cooker turkey and rice soup.

Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Whether tending to a cold or in need of comfort food, this Turkey and Rice Soup will warm you right up.

Ingredients 
 

  • 20 oz. turkey breast tenderloins, can substitute with chicken breast
  • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup celery, sliced
  • 1/2 cup white onion, diced
  • 1 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. dried basil
  • 1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 47 oz. chicken or turkey broth, 32 oz. box AND 15 oz can
  • 1 cup dry Minute Brand Brown Rice, uncooked

Instructions 

  • Place everything but the rice into the slow cooker; stir.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
  • After the cooking time is done discard the bay leaves.
  • Shred the turkey with 2 forks.
  • Add the dry Minute brown rice; stir, cover, and cook for 20 minutes on HIGH.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Sarah’s Notes

Can I use standard brown rice instead of minute rice?
You may use standard brown rice, but it must be cooked separately on stove top, then stir it in the soup at the end.
Can I make a freezer meal with this recipe?
  • Yes! Put everything except the chicken broth and rice into a ziplock bag. Place in the freezer for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw before putting into slow cooker. Add broth and cook as directed, add the instant brown rice at the end of cooking time.

Nutrition

Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 1076mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5477IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

Other recipes you may like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




13 Comments

  1. Cathy says:

    It looks so good and easy to make!! Magical combination. ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Robin Ireland says:

    5 stars
    GREAT recipe. The brown rice is an inspired idea. Sooooo easy. Thanks

  3. Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says:

    This soup looks delicious- perfect for fall! ๐Ÿ™‚ Slow cooker soups are definitely one of my favorites.

  4. Erica (@Erica's Recipes) says:

    Lovely easy soup like this is perfect for busy fall days – and I always forget about turkey too. I’ll have to look for it this weekend because I prefer turkey to chicken anyway. Thanks for the info!

  5. Grandma Kc says:

    That soup looks delicious and I love brown rice!

  6. Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says:

    This looks like one incredible soup recipe! I love that you used turkey breast and I know it wouldn’t last long at our house!

  7. Christie says:

    This soup sounds amazing. It would be perfect to have for dinner on a cold night.

  8. reneeskitchenadventures says:

    A great comfort food recipe!!!! Made easy with the slow cooker too! LOVE this Sarah!

  9. Sara Dickson says:

    Sounds and looks good

  10. Nell Giroux says:

    Please send more slow cooker recipes.