Rustic Tofu Wild Rice Soup

By Amanda Paa – Updated January 3, 2022
4.34 from 27 votes
This delicious Tofu Wild Rice Soup is a vegetarian version of classic Minnesota Wild Rice Soup. It's filled with fresh vegetables and nutty wild rice! The tofu soaks up all the wonderful flavors of the soup, and adds protein too. It simmers with sprigs of thyme for warm undertones and is finished with half & half for creaminess.
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I grew up eating Minnesota Wild Rice Soup, traditionally made with vegetables, curls of earthy wild rice, cream, and chicken (or pheasant, as my mom would do when my dad had a good hunting season). We are lucky, as our state is known for it’s wild, hand-harvested crop of this aquatic grass that bears a resemblance to an edible grain.

I’ve worked with House Foods to celebrate the versatility and nutrition of tofu, creating recipes for 10 different states that highlight a regionally inspired dish or ingredient. It was natural to pick Wild Rice Soup for my home state of Minnesota, and I have to say – I love the springy cubes of tofu just as much as the traditional chicken version.

Wild Rice Soup with Tofu

This recipe starts similar to other wild rice soup recipes, sautéing celery, onions, and carrots to build a great base. Mushrooms are added as well, a great vegetarian ingredient for umami.

You’ll then add the broth and wild rice, simmering the soup until the wild rice has started to break open and is tender to the bite. To finish things, the tofu and half and half are added as well, adding richness and protein. As this soup sits, the tofu soaks up all the wonderful flavors of traditional wild rice soup.

Rustic Tofu Wild Rice Soup {vegetarian remake of minnesota wild rice soup}

What to Serve with Wild Rice Soup

Bread is always a good choice! Or cornbread muffins. Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve this soup with:

How to Store Wild Rice Soup

I found the leftovers stayed well in the refrigerator for 4 days, and tasted even better as it sat. The tofu really started to absorb the warming flavors of the soup.

It’s great for packed lunches, and reheating throughout the week for a quick dinner. I also have many more gluten-free soup recipes for meal prep.

Rustic Tofu Wild Rice Soup {vegetarian remake of minnesota wild rice soup}

More Tofu Recipes:

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Rustic Tofu Wild Rice Soup

A nourishing vegetarian wild rice soup with tofu and fresh vegetables. It's creamy, hearty, and full of amazing flavor.
4.34 from 27 votes
Prep Time :25 minutes
Cook Time :1 hour
Total Time :1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Author: Amanda Paa

SCALE:

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 3/4 cup sliced celery
  • 1 cup sliced carrots into thin coins
  • 3/4 cup chopped mushrooms
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup dry wild rice
  • 5 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 box firm or extra firm organic tofu, water pressed out and cut into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup fresh minced parsley

Instructions 

  • In a large dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and stir, cooking for two minutes. Then add celery, carrots, mushrooms, and salt. Stir to coat, and cook for 8 minutes to soften all the vegetables. Add oregano, black pepper, and wild rice, stirring to combine.
  • Add vegetable broth and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 45 minutes, until wild rice is popped and tender to the bite.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and half and half, so there are no lumps. Then whisk in Dijon mustard. Turn heat down on soup so it is not simmering, and slowly add liquid mixture. Stir to combine, then add tofu and gently stir.
  • Let cook on low for 10 minutes so it thickens and tofu absorbs flavors. Stir in parsley and serve with crackers or bread.

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April 5, 2017

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18 comments

  1. Alyssa

    I made this soup – delicious! – and swapped out the half and half with cashew cream and it worked perfectly! I used 1 cup of soaked cashews with 1 cup water in the blender.

    • amandapaa

      Yay, so glad you liked the soup! And great tip on making it dairy free, appreciate you noting how you made the substitution!

      • Alyssa

        I should have noted that the cup of cashews and cup of water will yield a bit more than 1 cup, so just save the extra for your coffee :)

  2. Chris

    Love love love this soup!! So flavourful and it’s a nice change (at least for me) to all the all-blended-up velouté soups. I used whole milk instrad of half-and-half and was very happy with the taste! Thanka for sharing the recipe!

    • amandapaa

      So glad you liked the recipe, Chris! I like its heartiness too. xo, Amanda

  3. Mimi

    I want to make but don’t have a Dutch oven! What should I do? Also, can I use coconut milk instead of half and half to make it vegan?

    • Mimi

      Also! If I don’t have wild rice, do you think brown rice would turn out alright?

      • amandapaa

        Hi Mimi! Regarding the coconut milk + brown rice changes — Coconut milk would change the flavor too much. I recommend an unsweetened almond milk instead, plus an additional tablespoon cornstarch since it will not have as much fat to thicken. Brown rice, I haven’t tried it, so unsure how that would turn out. If you don’t have a dutch oven, a stock pot would also work.

  4. Kelly

    Just made this soup tonight. Verdict: It is warm, hearty and delicious! I doubled the recipe, used mixed rice with wild, baked the tofu on a pan first, and used cashew cream instead of half and half (to make it vegan) and it turned out absolutely perfect. I bet it will taste even better tomorrow. Definitely a keeper and will make again. Thanks!

    • amandapaa

      yay, so glad you liked it Kelly! i love the idea of the cashew cream to make it vegan. will be trying that this winter!

  5. JB

    This soup is delicious. I had less than a full block of tofu in the fridge, so I reduced the recipe by half, and I used fresh oregano, but otherwise made exactly as written.

    It tastes just like traditional chicken and wild rice soup, except for the tofu. The next time I make it I will probably bake the tofu before adding it to make it more toothsome. Or perhaps add roasted cauliflower at the end or something with more bite.

    I don’t know that it is necessary to cook the veggies for 10 minutes before adding the wild rice, since it cooks another 45 minutes after that. Everything will be soft, regardless.

    I like the above poster’s suggestion of adding dried mushrooms. They would be delicious in this stew.

    • amandapaa

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! And I’m happy to know that halving the recipe worked.

      Cooking the veggies for 10 minutes before the wild rice is essential and should not be skipped, as it coaxes out the flavor of these important aromatics, like onion. The soup would be flavorless without it. It would not be the same recipe, nor delicious, without this important part.

  6. Celesta

    Hello, It’s rainy and cold again in Northern California and your delicious soup just made our day! It’s comforting like a chowder. I threw in a few pieces of dried porcini to boost the mushroom flavor, as well as some shiitakes. This is a keeper. Thanks a million, celesta

    • amandapaa

      Celesta! So fun that you made this and enjoyed it. Sure sounds like it fit the type of day the weather brought your way. I love the idea of adding some of the dried porcinis! If I have those on hand next time, I’ll add. xo

  7. Heidi | Enlightened Decadence

    Your description makes me want to eat this! As a non-meat eater, I’m actually not that big a fan of tofu. However, when it’s cooked right, I’m happy to eat it. This looks and sounds delicious and tempting to my non-tofu tastebuds lol!

    • amandapaa

      Tofu wasn’t always on my radar either, but once I learned how to press it and use it in the right applications, things changed! It holds it’s shape and texture much better. Thanks for stopping by, Heidi!

  8. Tori//Gringalicious.com

    MMMmmmm! Oh my, this is what I wish I was eating right now. I definitely want to try it.

    • amandapaa

      comfort food for real!