Wild Rice Pilaf
This comforting Wild Rice Pilaf is perfect for anyone who loves hearty, wholesome side dishes that make your kitchen smell amazing! Families absolutely love this nutty, satisfying dish because it pairs beautifully with everything from roasted chicken to grilled salmon. Plus, you get way more protein than regular rice dishes thanks to that nutrient-packed wild rice!
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 10 minutes, Additional Time: 50 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour, Serves: 5 people.
Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 174 Calories, 1g Fat, 35g Carbs, 6g Protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Reduced-sodium chicken broth: You’ll need 2⅓ cups of this liquid gold! I love using the reduced-sodium version because you can control the saltiness yourself.
Wild rice: Just ½ cup of wild rice, and make sure you rinse it well first. This is what gives our pilaf that amazing nutty flavor and chewy texture!
Scallions: You’ll use 2 scallions, but only the white parts sliced thin. Save those green tops for sprinkling on top or toss them in your next stir-fry!
Ground pepper: A simple ¼ teaspoon adds just the right amount of warmth. Black pepper works perfectly here.
Brown rice: ⅔ cup of brown rice rounds out this pilaf beautifully. It cooks right alongside the wild rice for the perfect texture combo!
How to Make Wild Rice Pilaf
Step 1: Grab your large saucepan and combine the chicken broth, wild rice, sliced scallion whites, and pepper. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once it’s bubbling, cover the pan, turn the heat down to low, and let it simmer for exactly 10 minutes.
Step 2: Now stir in your brown rice and bring everything back to a boil. Cover again, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until both rices are tender and most of the liquid disappears – this takes about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat and let it rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and serve!
Easy and Quick Wild Rice Pilaf Version
Want to speed things up? You can use pre-cooked wild rice from the store! Just use 1½ cups cooked wild rice and add it during the last 15 minutes of cooking the brown rice. This cuts your cooking time almost in half and tastes just as delicious!
Serving Ideas
This pilaf makes a fantastic side dish that goes with just about everything! Try it with roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or even pork chops. I love serving it alongside some steamed green beans or a simple garden salad for a complete, satisfying meal.
Storage
Store your leftover pilaf in the fridge for up to 4 days in a covered container. To reheat, just add a splash of broth or water and warm it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop over low heat!
Substitutions
No chicken broth? Vegetable broth works great and makes this completely vegetarian! You can swap the scallion whites for a small diced onion if that’s what you have. Brown rice can be replaced with long-grain white rice, but reduce the cooking time to about 20 minutes total.
Pro Tips
- Rinse that wild rice: Don’t skip rinsing the wild rice – it removes any debris and helps prevent a muddy flavor.
- Let it rest: That 5-minute standing time is crucial for perfect texture. The rice finishes cooking with the residual heat!
- Fluff gently: Use a fork, not a spoon, to fluff your pilaf. This keeps the grains separate and fluffy instead of mushy.
- Make it ahead: This pilaf actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors blend together!
FAQs
Can I make this pilaf in a rice cooker?
You bet! Add all ingredients to your rice cooker and use the brown rice setting. The wild rice might be slightly chewier, but it’ll still taste amazing!
Why is my pilaf mushy?
This usually happens when there’s too much liquid or it’s cooked too long. Make sure you’re measuring accurately and don’t skip that resting period – it really makes a difference!
Can I freeze leftover pilaf?
Sure! It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat with a splash of broth to bring back that perfect texture.
Is wild rice actually rice?
Great question! Wild rice is actually a grass seed, not true rice. But it cooks similarly and has this wonderful nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with brown rice!
I’d love to hear how your Wild Rice Pilaf turns out! Drop a comment and let me know what you served it with – I’m always looking for new pairing ideas. Happy cooking, friends!
