This is a basic recipe for how to cook wild rice. Cooked wild rice is a great ingredient to use in many delicious recipes or as a side dish to various meats.
I've been cooking wild rice quite often lately, and I really enjoy mixing it up with all kinds of dry fruit, vegetables, spices, sauces. It's a really versatile and delicious whole grain with quite an impressive nutritional record.
Benefits of wild rice
Here are some highlights:
- Wild rice is gluten-free which is great for a gluten-free lifestyle.
- It is also rich in dietary fiber and low in fat.
- According to Wikipedia, when comparing wild rice to quinoa and oats in terms of protein content, wild rice takes a proud second place (after oats) in protein content per 100 calories, while quinoa is the third. Thanks to all that protein and fiber, eating wild rice is much healthier than other kinds of carbohydrates, plus it will keep you feeling full longer taming that appetite, again thanks to all that protein and fiber.
- Finally, wild rice is a great source of certain minerals and B vitamins.
How do you know if wild rice is cooked?
- Simmer the wild rice for about 45 minutes in boiling water until the rice is soft but not mushy and until most of the grains are popped.
- You don't want the wild rice to be tough and chewy, so be patient and cook just until it's of the right softness.
- Once the rice is cooked to the desired softness, drain extra water from the pan.
Recipes with wild rice
- Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Skillet - easy comfort food, one of my favorite dinners.
- Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Wild Rice with carrots and peas made in a skillet.
Wild rice is truly a great ingredient/resource to have in your pantry, and below are the simple instructions on how to cook it.
How to cook wild rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup wild rice
- 4 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in a strainer to clean.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of wild rice, 4 cups of water (1 to 4 proportion), and salt and bring to boil on high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium or low and simmer/cook the rice for about 45 minutes, covered.
- Cook until the rice is soft but not mushy and until most of the grains are popped. You don't want the rice to be tough and chewy, so be patient and cook just until it's of the right softness. Once the rice is cooked to the desired softness, drain extra water from the pan.
- Season the rice with extra salt, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Thanks for the recipe!
Made your creamy chicken and wild rice skillet and cooked wild rice using this recipe! That creamy chicken wild rice was excellent!
Do you cover it while it’s cooking for the 45min?
Yes, cook it covered.
I was trying for a looser rice consistency to add to a salad. Followed these directions and it came out mushy and clumped together closer to a risotto. Decrease water for use in salads would be my recommendation.
Thank you for your tip!
I cook wild rice this way. Takes longer ..but every grain is soft fully opened. curly
and not mushy.
1 cup wild rice
4 cups water.
Bring both to boil.
Turn down heat to simmer for 25 minutes (covered)
Do not open lid at any time.
Turn heat off.
Let sit for 1 (one) hour
Perfect wild rice.
I cook wild rice differently.
1 cup wild rice
4 cups water.
Bring to boil.
Turn down heat to simmer.(covered)
Cook 25 minutes
Turn heat off for 1 (one) hour. Do not remove lid any time.
Perfect fluffy, curly, soft but not mushy rice.!
JOCELYN!!! thank you , this is perfect.
I needed this recipe! Thanks for sharing the nutritional info too! I made it this week. Perfect!
I used to cook wild rice all the time but it's been so long....great post!!
I totally agree with you. I finally cooked wild rice at home a couple of months ago...now it sits in the pantry ready to go whenever. It is delicious, with that nutty chew, and good for you. You've reminded me to make it again soon!
Thanks for the great nutritional benefit information of the wild rice. I love wild rice but doesn't get to cook that often. I am inspired to cook more often after reading your post.
I love the flavor of wild rice. I really need to cook it more!
i love wild rice! thanks for the tips 🙂
Wild rice gives such a unique flavour to rice dishes, and is so much tastier and healthier than regular white rice. Great post!
I see, so you use a lot more water to cook it. Thanks, Julia. Great tips!
🙂 ela
I love wild rice! You sound like you get all cray cray with it and I hope you post some of those recipes!
Love wild rice! Beautiful for making stuffing, or for adding almonds, apricots and spices too for a great side dish.