I love the slow cooker (or Crock Pot)! Especially in the busy fall and winter months. When you can put something on, have it cook and smell yummy and not have to do much! Oh that’s perfection!
This Creamy Broccoli and Wild Rice Slow Cooker Soup totally works for the cooler months when you want something yummy, warm, and filling (and easy!).
This soup is great for a little variety too. You can throw in some ham or some bacon, to add a nice meaty smoky flavor. Throw in some leftover Thanksgiving turkey to help use up those leftovers.
If you want to make it even easier, use some shredded carrots from the produce section at the grocery store. I would just throw those into the crock pot and not even worry about precooking them, because they’re so small they should cook up really quickly.
If you can’t find plain wild rice at the store, you can use a rice blend instead. I saw many rice blends that had wild rice in them when I was shopping for the ingredients for this soup. I had to go to Trader Joe’s to get the plain wild rice, as my grocery store didn’t carry it.
I highly recommend half and half for this recipe; it’s what gives a really creamy soup. But, if you don’t want those calories, use the milk of your choice: skim milk will make a thinner soup that’s lower in calories, whole milk will give a good compromise between half and half and skim milk. You could even use a non-dairy milk like canned coconut milk (that would give a great thick soup), or almond milk.
Creamy Broccoli and Wild Rice Slow Cooker Soup Recipe
Creamy Broccoli and Wild Rice Slow Cooker Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 4 carrots sliced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- ½ cup wild rice uncooked
- ½ cup long grain white rice uncooked
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon marjoram leaves
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups half and half
- 2 cups broccoli florets broken into small florets
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- ½ cup sliced almonds toasted
- paprika for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, sauté the onions until tender and starting to brown, about 10-15 minutes. Add carrot and continue to cook 5 minutes until carrot is soft. Transfer cooked vegetables to the bowl of a 4-quart slow cooker.
- Add next 8 ingredients, broth through pepper, to the slow cooker, and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 2 ½ to 3 hours, or until vegetables are softened and rice is cooked.
- About 30 minutes before serving the soup, mix in the half and half, broccoli, and cheese, cover, and cook on low for another 30 minutes. Taste for seasonings. Ladle soup into bowls, and garnish with almonds and paprika, and enjoy.
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
September 18, 2015 at 9:17 amThis broccoli soup has our name written all over it. I just got my “Farm fresh box” and it has two big bunches of broccoli. I may even try this recipe with the cauliflower I received. Excited to try this.
dcclark13 says
September 18, 2015 at 2:13 pmSuch a yummy soup Debi, this one definitely caught my eye. I love that fall is starting soon and we can enjoy more soups!
Janette@culinaryginger says
September 18, 2015 at 4:07 pmI love everything going on in this soup and I’ll add it to my recipe list.
homemadefoodjunkie says
September 18, 2015 at 4:55 pmBroccoli is a major YES for my husband and I. So is the crockpot. I like the way the broccoli, cream and cheese go in just at the end. This looks so rich and flavorful. love the wild rice too!
manilaspoon says
September 18, 2015 at 6:22 pmI love the broccoli in this hearty soup and of course the extra nutty flavor and crunch from the almonds! What a perfect fall and winter soup!
Mary La Fornara (@itsaboutpretty) says
September 19, 2015 at 9:37 pmI am so happy it is once again soup season! I love broccoli, so I can’t wait to make this for my family.
justine @ Full Belly SIsters says
September 20, 2015 at 5:31 amI’ve been looking for a good broccoli soup recipe and i think i’ve found what i’m looking for! Love the almonds on top, wonderful idea!
Myfamilymealtime (@FMealtime) says
September 20, 2015 at 7:12 amBroccoli soup is one of my favorite soups I am so glad fall is here so I have an excuse to eat more soup!
fearlessdining says
September 20, 2015 at 8:40 amWhat a beautiful soup. I love the crunchy almond slivers on top.
taranoland says
September 21, 2015 at 6:13 amI rarely put rice in a soup but I really like it, this looks fantastic, lovely pictures!
dcclark13 says
September 22, 2015 at 6:53 amDid a bit more sharing via #TryaBiteTuesday – it just looks soooo good! Have a fabulous day, hope to see you next week!
April J Harris (@apriljharris) says
September 24, 2015 at 6:40 amI love everything about this soup, Debi! It sounds so warming and comforting, love the spices and it looks gorgeous too! Thank you so much for sharing it with us at the Hearth and Soul hop. Stumbling, pinning and sharing 🙂
Joanne/WineladyCooks says
January 30, 2016 at 2:13 pmThis creamy broccoli and wild rice soup sounds perfect for our cold blustery winter here.
Divya @ Divya's Culinary Journey says
February 1, 2016 at 5:57 amLove this creamy and delicious soup! Looks so comforting!