How to Cook Wild Rice

Learn how to cook wild rice perfectly every time + the best wild rice recipes for fall meals and your Thanksgiving menu!

first things first – what is wild rice?

Wild rice is a type of aquatic grass seed native to North America and parts of Asia. Wild rice has long, slender grains that are dark brown or black in color ~ it’s absolutely gorgeous! When you cook wild rice properly it has a chewy texture and a nutty, earthy flavor that’s perfect for fall recipes.

Wild rice is generally considered healthier than white rice because it is less processed and retains more of its natural nutrients. Wild rice is a good source of protein, dietary fiber, essential minerals like phosphorus and potassium, and various B vitamins.
you can buy wild rice at most grocery stores, but because it tends to be expensive, you’ll often find it as part of a rice blend. Look carefully to find it packaged alone, usually in small bags or boxes.

how to cook wild rice on the stove top

Because of its relatively long cooking time, many recipes will call for already-cooked wild rice so it helps to know how to cook a simple batch of wild rice.

Most packages of wild rice will come with cooking instructions, but my biggest tip is to err on the side of cooking your wild rice for less time than the package suggests, for a chewier texture and slightly al dente bite. The best way to make sure you get the texture right for you? Simply taste as you go, and stop cooking when you like the texture!

Rinse the wild rice: Place the wild rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water. Rinsing helps remove excess starch and prevents clumping during cooking.
Soak (optional): Some people find that soaking wild rice for a few hours or overnight helps it cook more evenly. If you choose to soak, drain the rice before cooking.*
The right ratio: Combine 1 cup of rinsed wild rice with 3 cups of water or broth in a saucepan. I highly recommend using broth to add flavor to the rice.
Season: Add a pinch of salt if desired. Be cautious with the salt, especially if you’re using a salty broth, as wild rice absorbs flavors easily.
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
Cooking time: Wild rice usually takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to cook. However, cooking times can vary based on the specific variety of wild rice you have. It’s important to taste the rice as it cooks to get it just the way you like it. The grains should be tender but still have a slight chewiness.
Check and stir: Occasionally check the wild rice and stir gently with a fork to prevent sticking. Add more water or broth if needed during cooking.
Rest: Once the wild rice is cooked to your liking, remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered, for about 10 minutes. This allows the remaining steam to be absorbed.
Fluff and serve: After resting, fluff the wild rice with a fork to separate the grains. It’s ready to serve or use in your recipe.

*Should you soak wild rice before cooking?

If you have the time, soaking is useful because it will shorten your cooking time by as much as 50% and soaking also helps the rice cook more evenly.

If you soak wild rice overnight or for several hours, you can reduce the water-to-wild rice ratio and the cooking time when preparing it. Soaked wild rice might require a water-to-rice ratio of 1.5 to 2 cups of water for 1 cup of soaked wild rice, and the cooking time can be significantly shorter, potentially around 20-30 minutes, depending on the specific rice and your desired tenderness.

can wild rice be cooked in a rice cooker?

Yes! While traditionally cooked on the stovetop, wild rice can also be prepared in a rice cooker, making the process a bit more convenient. Follow your rice cooker’s instructions for wild rice settings.

can you cook wild rice in the microwave?

Yes you can, but it’s not my first choice. The microwave cooks wild rice more unevenly than other methods, and the big bowl of boiling water is fiddly to deal with.

Place rinsed wild rice in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add 3 cups of water or broth.
Use a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap with a vent.
Microwave on high for 10 minutes. Stir, then microwave on medium (50% power) for 20-25 minutes, checking for doneness.
Let it sit, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
Fluff with a fork.

how to cook wild rice in the Instant Pot

If you have an Instant Pot it’s a great way to cook wild rice. It’s hands off, and cuts the time down considerably.

Rinse 1 cup of wild rice under cold water until clear.
Add 2 cups of water or broth to the Instant Pot.
Close the lid, set the valve to “Sealing,” and pressure cook on high for 20 minutes.
Let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
Open the lid, fluff the wild rice with a fork, and serve.

storing and freezing cooked wild rice

Cooked wild rice keeps its texture well so you can cook it ahead. It will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.

You can freeze wild rice, its sturdy texture holds up well. Let it cool completely before packing in a freezer safe container or zip lock freezer bags.

what pairs well with wild rice

Wild rice has a much more assertive flavor than white rice, and even brown rice, so keep that in mind when planning recipes. Luckily, there are so many lovely, seasonal flavors that pair perfectly with wild rice. Here are some of my favorites:

nuts, especially toasted nuts, like walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts.
fall and winter root vegetables like beets, carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes and winter squash.
hearty or peppery greens like spinach, watercress, and arugula
onion, I especially like thinly sliced raw red onion in my wild rice salads, or caramelized onions or shallots
fall fruits like crisp apples, cranberries (fresh or dried), and pomegranate seeds
earthy mushrooms
salty cheeses like feta, goat cheese, or parmesan
maple syrup and brown sugar lend a rich, sweet note when used sparingly in savory recipes, or with a heavier hand in sweet recipes like wild rice porridge
poultry like chicken and turkey, or wild game birds like duck or pheasant, make a great main course pairing with wild rice
I particularly love salmon with wild rice.
grainy mustards make a great addition to dressings for wild rice salads

wild rice salad recipes

Beet and Wild Rice Salad

5 from 8 votes

My beet and wild rice salad with spiced pecans goes from packable lunch to holiday table ~ this superfood salad is healthy and super delicious!!

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Wild Rice Salad

5 from 8 votes

Wild Rice Salad with Maple Cider Vinaigrette is loaded with roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, tart cranberries, and toasted pecans. It's a feast for the all your senses

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Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Nuts

3.46 from 184 votes

Wild Rice Soup Recipes

Wild Rice and Carrot Soup

4.20 from 5 votes

Wild Rice and Carrot Soup is a quick and easy soup that combines sweet carrots with earthy wild rice, topped with toasted hazelnuts and fresh thyme. All that healthy beta carotenepracticallyglows!

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Creamy Wild Rice Soup

5 from 7 votes

Wild Rice Main Course Recipes

Creamy Chicken with Wild Rice and Mushrooms

3.60 from 76 votes

Creamy Chicken with Wild Rice and Mushrooms ~ this earthy, stick-to-your-ribs skillet dinner is ideal for a chilly fall night!

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Basmati and Wild Rice with Chickpeas, Currents and Herbs (vegan and gluten free)

3.47 from 52 votes

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Salmon with Wild Rice in a Coconut Curry Broth

Pan seared salmon on a bed of wild rice in a rich and creamy ginger and coconut curry broth

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Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

ThisChicken and Wild Rice Casseroleis warm, creamy, hearty, umami rich comfort food the whole family will love!

View this recipe

5 from 3 votes

Simple instructions for the best way to cook wild rice for delicious fall recipes.

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Cook Time:45 minutes minutes

Total Time:45 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Equipment

medium saucepan with a tight fitting lid

Ingredients

1 cup wild rice
salt
3 cups broth or water. I prefer to use chicken broth.

Instructions

Place the wild rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water. Rinsing helps remove excess starch and prevents clumping during cooking.
OPTIONAL: Some people find that soaking wild rice for a few hours or overnight helps it cook more evenly. If you choose to soak, drain the rice before cooking.*
Combine rinsed wild rice with 3 cups of water or broth in a saucepan. Add a pinch of salt if desired. Be cautious with the salt, especially if you’re using a salty broth, as wild rice absorbs flavors easily.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
Wild rice usually takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to cook. However, cooking times can vary based on the specific variety of wild rice you have. It’s important to taste the rice as it cooks so you catch it before it over cooks. The grains should be tender but still have a slight chewiness.
Occasionally check the wild rice and stir gently with a fork to prevent sticking. Add more water or broth if needed during cooking.
Once the wild rice is cooked to your liking, remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered, for about 10 minutes. This allows the remaining steam to be absorbed.
After resting, fluff the wild rice with a fork to separate the grains. It’s ready to serve or use in your recipe.

Notes

*If you soak wild rice overnight or for several hours, you can reduce the water-to-wild rice ratio and the cooking time when preparing it. Soaked wild rice might require a water-to-rice ratio of 1.5 to 2 cups of water for 1 cup of soaked wild rice, and the cooking time can be significantly shorter, potentially around 20-30 minutes, depending on the specific rice and your desired tenderness.

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Sue Moran

Keyword: fall, rice, Thanksgiving, wild rice

Nutrition

Calories: 153 kcal · Carbohydrates: 31 g · Protein: 7 g · Fat: 1 g · Saturated Fat: 0.1 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1 g · Cholesterol: 4 mg · Sodium: 657 mg · Potassium: 203 mg · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 2 g · Vitamin A: 11 IU · Calcium: 15 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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How to Cook Wild Rice • + recipes! (2024)

first things first – what is wild rice?

how to cook wild rice on the stove top

*Should you soak wild rice before cooking?

can wild rice be cooked in a rice cooker?

can you cook wild rice in the microwave?

how to cook wild rice in the Instant Pot

storing and freezing cooked wild rice

what pairs well with wild rice

wild rice salad recipes

Wild Rice Soup Recipes

Wild Rice Main Course Recipes

How to Cook Wild Rice

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

References