Super easy and creamy Instant Pot Vegan Cream of Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup is the ultimate winter meal! Stovetop option included.
So 2019 was the year of falling in love with the Instant Pot. I blame Jeff.
He fell head over heels for it, making his lunches in this magical machine daily. Naturally I had to see what all the fuss was about. And alas, I get it!
It's a miracle worker. It gives an entirely new meaning to "set it and forget it." I was so afraid to learn how to use it but the reality is that it couldn't be simpler to use.
I'm still obsessed with my Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup and of course my top-rated Yummiest Vegetable Soup, but this Vegan Cream of Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup maaaay be my favorite soup of all time.
It's just so...craveable. You'll have to make it to know what I mean, mmmk? Mmmk.
I grew up looooooving cream of mushroom and wild rice soup. Ya know, like the Panera kind in a sourdough bread bowl the size of my head. Is there even any other kind? But wait...the bread bowl. I DIE FOR IT.
This dairy-free version requires no cream but still somehow tastes decadently creamy and fantastically satisfying. Truly comfort food in a bowl!
The key is cashews. Because you know, the key is always cashews. Simply give them a soak, blend with water until luxuriously smooth and creamy, then stir into the soup. Cashews + liquid = magic. Instant creaminess.
And get this---pressure cooking preserves nutrients in food better than any other cooking method! That's right, it's not temperature that harms the nutrients in food, it's the length of cooking.
Wild rice fun facts
We don't want a blend here, we want 100% wild rice. If you use another kind of rice, the cooking time will vary. You can find wild rice at Trader Joe's and Giant Eagle in good sized bags versus the 4oz boxes some stores carry. I used this one.
Did you know wild rice isn't actually rice at all? It's technically a type of grass grown in freshwater that has seeds resembling rice. Since it looks and cooks like rice, it's called rice. It's known for its robust, nutty flavor.
Wild rice is rich in manganese, phosphorus, and zinc and has more protein than any other kind of rice.
Can I make Instant Pot soup on the stovetop?
No Instant Pot? Have no fear! See the recipe notes for full-proof instructions on making this soup on the stove.
Simply soak the cashews and then sauté in olive oil the onion, carrot, celery, mushrooms, garlic, and salt in a dutch oven over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add spices, wild rice, and broth.
Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer uncovered for about an hour, or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally. Proceed with step three. Done!
This cookbook is great if you're looking for more healthy Instant Pot recipes. And I have this Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook on my wishlist, too!
Behold, SOUP SEASON.
Craving more soup goodness? Don't miss my other stellar soup recipes!
- Vegan Cream of Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup
- Yummiest Vegetable Soup
- Healthy Salmon Corn Chowder
- Golden French Lentil Soup
- Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup
Instant Pot Vegan Cream of Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 5 bowls 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
The most comforting soup in all the land! This super easy and healthy Instant Pot Vegan Cream of Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup is the ultimate cold-weather meal. See recipe notes for stovetop version.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw cashews
- 1 ½ cups chopped onion (1 medium onion), diced
- 1 ½ cups chopped carrot (4 medium carrots)
- 1 ½ cup chopped celery (4 ribs celery)
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms (2 cups, add more if you love mushrooms!)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried sage
- ¾ cup uncooked wild rice (do not use a blend)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (sub tamari for gluten free)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place cashews in a small bowl. Cover with very hot water and let soak while you make the recipe.
- Place remaining ingredients except soy sauce and spinach in the Instant Pot. Cook on manual, high pressure for 40 minutes. Note that it takes ~10 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure before it starts cooking and counting down. Once it's done, carefully quick release any remaining steam using the valve on top. Remove the lid and turn the machine off.
- Drain and rinse cashews. Place in blender (I used my Nutribullet) with 1 cup water and blend until completely smooth and creamy. Stir into soup along with soy sauce and spinach. Serve with crusty bread or croutons, of course!
Notes
Stovetop version: Follow step 1 and then sauté in olive oil the onion, carrot, celery, mushrooms, garlic, and salt in a dutch oven over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add spices, wild rice, and broth. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer uncovered for about an hour, or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally. Proceed with step three.
Keywords: vegan cream of mushroom rice soup, vegan instant pot soup
Robin Lucas says
This is one of my favorite soups! Its so creamy and warms you up. I added more shrooms and cooked in a dutch oven on the stove top. It also freezes well too!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Yesss thank you TONS, Robin!!
Patti A Coyle says
Best soup ever! In my regular rotation. Thank you!
Suzanne says
The BEST soup. I always make sure to have the ingredients available and it has saved dinner countless times. I add a can of chickpeas at the end to make it more filling for my husband. I share this recipe with everyone I know!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Isn't this one a keeper?! Too delish!
Megan says
So incredibly delish! The flavor, wow!! And so easy to make on the stove top too! I’ve made this one on repeat! My meat eating/carnivore husband loves it too, as he says, “It’s a keeper!”
In Florida, but planning to make this today to summon some fall weather & cooler temps!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Yayyy this is seriously my fave soup so I'm glad you feel the same 🙂
Sydney Grace says
Seriously the best vegan version of a soup I have ever made! Highly recommend. It also reheats well!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Amaaaaazing!! Thanks, Sydney!!
Lisa says
? 8 ounces = 1 cup so do you mean 16 ounces of mushrooms?
Alexis Joseph says
Nope, an 8oz package! 8oz is a cup like you said when it comes to liquid but varies a bit with solids.
Stephanie says
This is absolutely delicious. I used 3 portabella caps (so a little extra mushroom), and was generous with the other vegetables as well since I didn't have veggie broth. On a whim, I added some pistachios to my second bowl--I highly recommend it.
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Mmmm love that you used portobellos and pistachios to make it your own! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review and rating; I appreciate it tons.
Jennifer Henry says
This is so tasty, like Grandma Dorothy’s house after a cold walk with freezing toes, tasty. And it’s simple with simple ingredients!
I always make a double batch and freeze it.
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Awesome!! Love that it freezes well. Thank you for the kind review!
Amanda says
Made this to pack for lunches this week, and it’s Amazing! Super easy to make, and I made it on the stove since I don’t own an instant pot.
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
It works so well on the stove! Glad you loved this one, and thank you 🙂
Becky Campbell says
If I didn’t cook this myself I would swear there was cream in it! So rich & delicious! Served it with a loaf of organic multigrain bread fresh from the oven! In Heaven!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Awesome! Isn't cashew cream crazy?! I have tons of recipes that use it so you'll have to keep exploring 🙂