Hearty Wild Rice & Sweet Potato Bacon Soup Recipe for Cold Days
Cold winter nights call for a hearty wild rice and sweet potato bacon soup that warms you from the inside out.
Smoky bacon mingles with creamy sweet potatoes, creating a rich and comforting blend of flavors.
Tender grains of wild rice add a delightful nutty texture to every spoonful.
Each ingredient brings its own character to this soul-soothing bowl of comfort.
The soup balances earthy and smoky notes with a subtle sweetness that dances on your palate.
Packed with nutrition and deeply satisfying, this recipe promises to become a staple in your cold-weather cooking repertoire.
Let’s find out this delicious soup and let its warmth chase away the winter chill.
Tools You Need for Wild Rice Sweet Potato Bacon Soup
Large Saucepan or Dutch Oven: Perfect for cooking bacon and building soup layers with deep, even heat.
Paper Towel-Lined Plate: Helps drain excess grease from crispy bacon.
Cutting Board: For chopping onions, garlic, and celery into uniform pieces.
Chef's Knife: Sharp and reliable for precise vegetable preparation.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Essential for stirring and sautéing ingredients without scratching the pan.
Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning with salt, pepper, and spices.
Ladle: Helps serve soup evenly into bowls.
Cooking Wild Rice Sweet Potato Soup with Bacon
Bacon Magic Initial sizzling creates a flavor foundation that transforms ordinary soup into a culinary adventure. Crisp bacon pieces release smoky essence into the cooking vessel.
Aromatic Base Leftover bacon drippings become a secret weapon for developing deep, rich undertones. Gentle sweating of vegetables awakens their natural sweetness.
Wild Rice Awakening Toasting wild rice develops a nutty complexity that elevates the entire soup's profile. Each grain becomes a tiny flavor carrier.
Liquid Symphony Vegetable broth merges with sweet potatoes and robust spices, creating a harmonious liquid landscape. Thyme and smoked paprika dance together, building layers of warmth.
Simmering Transformation Low and slow cooking allows ingredients to meld and soften. Wild rice absorbs surrounding flavors while sweet potatoes become creamy and tender.
Final Flourish Crumbled bacon provides a crisp counterpoint, sprinkled atop the steaming soup. Each spoonful promises a perfect balance of textures and tastes.
Flavor Tips for Wild Rice and Sweet Potato Soup
Swap regular bacon for pancetta or turkey bacon to create different flavor profiles and accommodate dietary preferences.
Experiment with other wild rice blends or substitute quinoa for a protein-packed alternative that adds interesting texture and nutrition.
Dial up the heat with extra cayenne or add smoked chipotle powder for a more intense, smoky undertone that'll wake up your taste buds.
Stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk during the final minutes of cooking to transform the soup into a luxuriously rich, velvety experience that feels indulgent yet comforting.
For a vegetarian version, replace bacon with crispy roasted mushrooms or smoked paprika-dusted sunflower seeds to maintain that deep, savory umami flavor that makes this soup so irresistible.
How to Serve Wild Rice and Sweet Potato Soup
Cozy Comfort Plating: Serve this hearty soup in deep ceramic bowls to showcase its rich colors and textures, allowing the chunks of sweet potato and wild rice to peek through.
Bacon Lover's Topping: Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon bits generously on top, creating a crunchy contrast to the smooth soup and adding an extra layer of smoky flavor.
Herb Fresh Finish: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives right before serving to bring a bright, green pop of color and a fresh herbal note that cuts through the richness of the soup.
Bread Pairing Perfection: Accompany the soup with crusty sourdough bread or warm cornbread on the side, perfect for dipping and soaking up the delicious broth.
Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare a double batch of this hearty soup and store extra portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. This strategy saves time and ensures delicious dinners are always ready.
Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Safely keep the soup in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
Freezer-Friendly Approach: Freeze soup portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Pro tip: Leave slight space at the top to allow liquid expansion during freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Quick Reheating Technique: Warm soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of vegetable broth if the soup seems too thick after refrigeration. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain the soup's rich texture and prevent bacon from becoming rubbery.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 280 kcal
Servings: 5
Wild Rice and Sweet Potato Soup with Bacon Ingredients List
For Flavor Base:
Olive Oil: Provides smooth, rich foundation for sautéing vegetables.
Hearty wild rice & sweet potato bacon soup brings comfort from Wisconsin’s culinary traditions. Savory ingredients blend seamlessly, offering you a warming bowl of regional satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
4 cups (960 ml) vegetable broth
3–4 cups (450–600 g) cubed sweet potatoes
0.5 lbs (226 g) applewood smoked bacon
0.5 cups (85 g) wild rice or wild rice blend
0.5 cups (75 g) diced yellow onion
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 diced celery stalk
2 minced garlic cloves
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp fresh parsley
0.5 tsp dried thyme
0.5 tsp smoked paprika
Sea or kosher salt (to taste)
Fresh black pepper (to taste)
Ground cayenne or red pepper flakes (to taste)
Instructions
Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a spacious Dutch oven until golden brown, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate while retaining the rendered fat.
Vegetable Sauté: Add olive oil to the bacon drippings and gently sauté onion, garlic, celery, bay leaf with a light seasoning of salt and black pepper until vegetables become translucent and aromatic, approximately 5-6 minutes.
Rice and Spice Integration: Introduce wild rice to the pan, toasting for 2-3 minutes to develop a nutty flavor profile, then incorporate vegetable broth, sweet potatoes, thyme, smoked paprika, parsley, cayenne, and crumble half the prepared bacon into the mixture.
Simmering Process: Elevate heat to initiate a gentle simmer, allowing the soup to cook for 25 minutes while stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking of wild rice and sweet potatoes.
Finishing Touches: Remove bay leaf, taste and adjust seasonings as needed, then ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls and garnish with remaining crispy bacon fragments, serving immediately while piping hot.
Notes
Bacon Rendering Tip: Cook bacon slowly to maximize crispiness and extract maximum flavor for the soup base.
Rice Toasting Technique: Gently toast wild rice before adding liquid to enhance its nutty, earthy undertones and improve overall depth of flavor.
Texture Control: Stir soup occasionally during simmering to prevent rice from sticking and ensure even cooking of sweet potatoes.
Seasoning Strategy: Taste and adjust seasonings near the end of cooking to balance smoky bacon, sweet potatoes, and spicy undertones perfectly.
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.
Michael Reynolds
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.