Wild Rice Recipe

Perfect Wild Rice

Learn how to cook perfect wild rice in this simple recipe! Wild rice is a nutritious and delicious whole grain. It’s a great addition to salads and sides. Scale this recipe as needed (just be sure to use plenty of water). One cup uncooked wild rice yields just over 3 cups cooked.

Prep: 5min

Total: 50min

Yield: 3

Serving Size: 1/2 cup cooked wild rice, no seasonings added

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1/2 cup cooked wild rice, no seasonings added, calories 95 calories, Sugar 0.7 g, Sodium 1.9 mg, Fat 0.3 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Carbohydrate 20 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 3.9 g, Cholesterol 0 mg

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wild rice
• At least 6 cups water
• Optional seasonings: salt (to taste), 1 to 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, maybe 1 minced clove of garlic or 1 thinly sliced green onion

Instruction:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil, using at least 6 cups water per 1 cup rice (or see Instant Pot option provided in notes). Thoroughly rinse the rice in a fine mesh colander under running water.
2. Add the rinsed rice and continue cooking, reducing heat as necessary to maintain an active simmer, for 40 minutes to 55 minutes. It’s done when the rice is pleasantly tender but still offers a light resistance to the bite. If you see any grains bursting open down the center seam (like a hot dog bun), it’s likely done.
3. Drain the rice and return the rice to the pot (off the heat). Stir in any seasonings you’d like to add. If you have the time, place a tea towel over the pot, cover, and let it rest for 10 minutes (this absorbs any excess moisture). Use as desired.

Wild Rice Pilaf

This wild rice pilaf recipe creates a side dish that’s full of delicious flavor. You can make this easy rice pilaf ahead of time, as it reheats well.

Prep: 10min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 116 kcal, Sugar 1.5 g, Sodium 158 mg, Fat 3.4 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Trans Fat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 18.6 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 4 g, Cholesterol 8.8 mg, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 cups wild rice blend
• Regular strength chicken or vegetable broth (enough to use instead of water, for cooking rice according to package instructions)
• 1/4 cup salted butter (sliced)
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 1 cup thinly sliced baby carrots
• 2 cups freshly shaved brussels sprouts
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp dry Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instruction:

1. Cook rice according to package instructions, using the broth instead of water. When cook time is up, do not open lid; turn heat off and keep lid tightly covered for 10 minutes to allow continued steaming. If rice is still a bit too firm, mix in just enough extra broth to moisten all rice, cover, and simmer another 10 minutes.
2. While rice is cooking, add butter to a large/deep skillet over medium high heat. Once butter is melted and starting to bubble, add onion and carrots. Stir to combine. Cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add brussels sprouts, garlic, Italian seasoning, and black pepper, stirring another 2 minutes until softened.
3. Check rice for doneness. Fluff with fork and add to skillet with vegetable mixture, stirring to incorporate. Taste and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.

Wild Rice

Wild rice has a natural nuttiness and chewiness that we cannot get over. This recipe uses onions and chicken stock to add an extra level of flavor.

Prep: 10min

Total: 1h20min

Yield: 4 serving(s)

Ingredients:

• 1 c. wild rice
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 1/2 c. low-sodium chicken stock
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Instruction:

1. In a fine-mesh strainer, thoroughly rinse rice until water runs clear.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and beginning to caramelize, 12 to 15 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add stock and stir to combine, then add butter, salt, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook until rice is cooked through and chewy but still tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, about 10 minutes.
3. There may be some excess stock; if so, strain rice mixture. Fluff rice with a fork, top with parsley, and serve.

How to Cook Wild Rice

This method for how to cook wild rice will work for both hand-harvested and commercially cultivated rice, though the cooking time can vary widely. I find that it typically takes 35 to 55 minutes for both types, though hand-harvested rice may need less time (start checking at 20 minutes if you have light-colored rice) and cultivated rice may need more, as much as 70 minutes.

Prep: 5min

Total: 60min

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wild rice (rinsed)
• Pot of water

Instruction:

1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the rice, reduce the heat to a gentle boil, and cook until the rice is tender but still has a slight bite, typically 35 to 55 minutes. The grains will start to split open slightly.
2. Drain and return the rice to the pot. Cover with a clean dish towel and then place the lid on the pot. Let steam for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.

How to Cook Wild Rice

FAQ

Do you soak wild rice before cooking?

What does wild rice go well with?

• 1 – Dunkin’ Mashed Potatoes. What is this? …
• 2 – Spicy Green Beans. …
• 3 – Creamy Mac & Cheese. …
• 4 – Mexican Quinoa. …
• 5 – Green Bean Casserole. …
• 6 – Cheesy Broccoli Casserole. …
• 7 – Soup or Chowder. …
• 8 – Stuffed Peppers.

What is the ratio of wild rice to water?

1. 1 cup wild rice.
2. 4 cups water or broth or a mixture of both.

Is wild rice the healthiest rice?