Wild Rice Recipe Ideas for Every Occasion

Wild rice, with its nutty flavor and chewy texture, is a highly versatile grain that can be used in both hearty and light dishes. A classic option is wild rice pilaf, where the rice is simmered with broth, onions, and herbs, often mixed with mushrooms, nuts, or dried fruits for added depth. Wild rice soup is another favorite, usually creamy and comforting, often paired with chicken or turkey along with vegetables like carrots and celery. Salads made with wild rice, roasted vegetables, cranberries, and a light vinaigrette make for a nutritious and colorful side dish. For a more filling option, wild rice can be stuffed into bell peppers, squash, or even poultry as a wholesome main course. It also works beautifully in casseroles, where it’s baked with cheese, vegetables, and sometimes a protein for a complete meal. Whether served hot or cold, wild rice adds a hearty and earthy element to recipes, making it an excellent base for creative and wholesome dishes.

Wild Rice Recipe Ideas

Classic Wild Rice Pilaf

Credit @storeboughtisfine

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wild rice

• 3 cups chicken/vegetable broth

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• ½ tsp thyme

• Salt & pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Rinse wild rice under cold water.

2. Heat oil in a saucepan, sauté onion & garlic until soft.

3. Add wild rice, stir for 2 minutes.

4. Pour in broth, season with thyme, salt & pepper.

5. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 45–50 min until rice is tender.

6. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Creamy Mushroom Wild Rice Soup

Credit @carlsbadcravings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wild rice

• 6 cups vegetable broth

• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced

• 1 carrot, diced

• 1 celery stalk, diced

• 1 onion, chopped

• 3 tbsp butter

• 3 tbsp flour

• 1 cup milk or cream

• 2 garlic cloves

• Salt, pepper, thyme

Steps:

1. Cook wild rice in 3 cups broth until tender (45 min).

2. In a pot, melt butter, sauté onion, carrot, celery & garlic.

3. Add mushrooms, cook until browned.

4. Stir in flour, whisk to make a roux.

5. Slowly pour in remaining broth & milk.

6. Stir in cooked wild rice, season with thyme, salt & pepper.

7. Simmer 10 minutes until thickened.

Wild Rice & Cranberry Stuffing

Credit @reciperunner

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked wild rice

• ½ cup dried cranberries

• ½ cup pecans or walnuts, toasted

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 2 tbsp butter

• ½ tsp sage

• Salt & pepper

Steps:

1. Cook wild rice in broth.

2. In a pan, melt butter, sauté onion & celery.

3. Stir in cranberries, nuts, sage.

4. Combine with wild rice.

5. Season, serve as stuffing or side.

Wild Rice Salad with Feta & Pomegranate

Credit @Pinch of Yum

Description: Light, colorful, and refreshing.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked wild rice

• ½ cup pomegranate seeds

• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled

• ¼ cup parsley, chopped

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• Salt & pepper

Steps:

1. Cook and cool wild rice.

2. Mix with pomegranate, feta, parsley.

3. Drizzle olive oil & lemon juice.

4. Toss, season, and serve chilled.

Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole

Credit @carlsbadcravings

Description: Hearty one-dish meal with creamy sauce.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked wild rice

• 2 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded

• 1 can cream of mushroom soup (or homemade white sauce)

• ½ cup cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)

• 1 cup broccoli florets, blanched

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt & pepper

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. Mix cooked wild rice, chicken, soup, cheese, broccoli, garlic powder.

3. Pour into a greased baking dish.

4. Top with extra cheese if desired.

5. Bake 25–30 min until bubbly and golden.

Wild Rice & Lentil Curry

Credit @Casa Perris

Description: Plant-based, spiced dish with a hearty texture.
Ingredients:

• 1 cup wild rice

• 1 cup lentils (red or green)

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp curry powder

• 1 can coconut milk

• 2 cups vegetable broth

• 1 tomato, chopped

• 2 tbsp oil

• Salt

Steps:

1. Cook wild rice separately.

2. Heat oil, sauté onion, garlic.

3. Add curry powder, toast spices.

4. Stir in lentils, tomato, broth. Simmer until lentils soften (20 min).

5. Add coconut milk, simmer 10 min.

6. Mix in cooked wild rice.

Wild Rice & Roasted Veggie Bowl

Credit @runningonrealfood

Description: Healthy and customizable grain bowl.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked wild rice

• 1 zucchini, chopped

• 1 bell pepper, chopped

• 1 sweet potato, cubed

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp paprika

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt & pepper

Steps:

1. Preheat oven 200°C (400°F).

2. Toss veggies with oil & spices. Roast 25–30 min.

3. Place cooked wild rice in bowls.

4. Top with roasted veggies.

5. Drizzle with tahini or yogurt sauce if desired.

Wild Rice Breakfast Porridge

Credit @dicentra_digitalis

Description: A sweet, nutty alternative to oatmeal.
Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked wild rice

• 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)

• 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey

• ¼ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ cup berries or banana slices

• Nuts for topping

Steps:

1. Heat wild rice with milk in a pot.

2. Stir in cinnamon & sweetener.

3. Cook until creamy (5–10 min).

4. Serve with berries & nuts on top.

Wild Rice & Salmon Skillet

Credit @chinookcdacasino

Description: Nutritious one-pan dish with fish & whole grains.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked wild rice

• 2 salmon fillets

• 1 lemon (zest & juice)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 garlic clove

• 1 cup spinach leaves

• Salt & pepper

Steps:

1. Cook salmon in a skillet with oil, garlic, salt & pepper.

2. Remove salmon, set aside.

3. In the same skillet, add wild rice, spinach, lemon zest & juice.

4. Toss until spinach wilts.

5. Flake salmon over rice and serve.

Wild Rice & Black Bean Tacos

Credit @tomatoeswithlemon

Description: A fun plant-based taco filling.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked wild rice

• 1 cup black beans (cooked)

• 1 onion, diced

• 1 tsp cumin

• ½ tsp chili powder

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Taco shells or tortillas

• Toppings: salsa, avocado, cheese

Steps:

1. Heat oil in skillet, sauté onion.

2. Add cumin, chili powder, stir.

3. Mix in wild rice & black beans.

4. Fill taco shells with mixture.

5. Top with salsa, avocado, cheese.