Start With Wild Rice

Bowl of cooked black rice

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Wild rice used to be considered a luxury item but it's often much more widely available today. Be sure that you are buying the long grain wild rice. There are some varieties where the rice is broken into small pieces, and that just cooks up to mush. The longer the grains the better.

Wild rice isn't rice–it's the seed of an aquatic grass native to North America. If you happen find hand-harvested wild rice grown by an Indigenous tribe in Minnesota, buy it if it fits your budget! It will probably be more expensive, but it has the most wonderful nutty flavor and firm yet tender texture.

To cook wild rice, first carefully rinse it and remove any extraneous material. Combine 1 cup of the rice with 3 cups of water and 1/2 tsp. salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, covered, for 35 to 45 minutes until rice is tender. Drain, if necessary; makes 2 1/2 to 3 cups depending on the rice.

Start With Wild Rice Recipes

  • Wild Rice Chowder
    This is such a delicious recipe. It looks long, but goes together very quickly and it's perfect for a large crowd, especially served with Onion Scones.
  • Wild Rice Crock pot Chili
    Wild rice cooks to perfection in your crock pot. The nutty taste and tender texture are a wonderful addition to a classic chili.
  • Wild Rice Quiche
    Sour cream and Dijon mustard add wonderful texture to this quiche; it really melts in your mouth.
  • Crock pot Wild Rice Pilaf
    You can serve this simple pilaf as a side dish to simple grilled chicken breasts or pork chops, or serve it with other selections as a vegetarian entree.
  • Wild Rice Meatloaf
    For meatloaf lovers, cooked wild rice takes this humble dish into another dimension. You must try this recipe!
  • Crock pot Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
    This easy and delicious one-dish recipe is a favorite. Serve it with a green salad for a complete and simple meal.