How to Make Wild Rice Pilaf – #1 Best Recipe!

Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe

Introduction: Wild Rice Pilaf

Wild Rice Pilaf is a great side dish to accompany many recipes. This Wild Rice Pilaf dish combines earthy flavors with fresh, aromatic herbs, creating a great blend of spices that tastes well. Wild Rice Pilaf is a great warm and cozy dish to serve on any occasion! Wild Rice Pilaf is a nutritious dish that has a wonderful autumn flavor.

The secret to creating a delicious Wild Rice Pilaf dish is in the toasting of the rice. Before cooking, toast the wild rice briefly to unlock a nuttier flavor that can completely transform this dish!

Ingredients of Wild Rice Pilaf

Wild Rice Pilaf does not require many ingredients to make. Our simple Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe only requires a few ingredients, which can be found at most grocery stores. For this recipe, you’ll need the following:

  • Wild Rice: Look for whole-grain wild rice that’s uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
  • Butter or Olive Oil: I recommend using a high quality butter such as Kerrygold. If using olive oil, opt for a lighter olive oil with a milder taste.
  • Fresh Herbs: This dish relies heavily on fresh herbs to create many of the flavors. When possible, opt to use high quality fresh herbs from the grocery store. Incorporate flavors of parsley and thyme to make a delicious dish!

Tools to Make Wild Rice Pilaf

The right tools can make cooking a fun and enjoyable experience. This dish is designed to be made at home using standard cookware found on our Kitchen Essentials List. Specifically, the following items are necessary:

  • Saucepan: A medium saucepan with a well fitting lid is essential for cooking the rice evenly and thoroughly.  Alternatively, the rice can be prepared in a rice cooker if necessary.

Recipe Overview: How to Make Wild Rice Pilaf

As with all of the recipes in our recipe index, this dish is designed so that anyone can make it! Making Wild Rice Pilaf at home is easy and only requires a few simple steps:

Step 1: Toast the Rice

Start by toasting the rice. Toasting the rice in butter or oil unlocks a much richer flavor that will greatly improve the overall taste of your dish.

Step 2: Season and Simmer

Add onion and garlic, and cook until tender and fragrant. Then add a hearty chicken or vegetable stock, and allow it to be absorbed by the rice. Simmer until the rice is tender and well-cooked.

Step 3: Add Fresh Herbs

Finish by stirring in a generous helping of fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and a touch of rosemary.

What to Serve with Wild Rice Pilaf

Rustic Cider Chicken

Wild Rice Pilaf pairs well with our Rustic Cider Chicken to make a delicious and tasty autumn meal. If serving these dishes together, try plating on a warm-colored plate such as a deep red or earthy brown.

Spiced Apple Cider

Serve this rice dish with an accompanying drink of Spiced Apple Cider to create a quick, light, and easy-to-make autumn meal that is delicious. Both of these incorporate strong fall herbs and spices and are great to serve between September and December.

Caesar Salad

Balance the warm and earthy flavors of this dish with a crisp and fresh salad, such as our Caesar Salad Recipe!

Summary

This wild rice dish offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a sophisticated palate. The rice, glossy and tender, is expertly toasted and cooked in a rich broth, yielding a nutty, earthy base. Finely chopped onions and minced garlic add a savory depth, creating a harmonious balance with the rice. Fresh parsley and thyme infuse the dish with herbal notes, complementing the natural flavors. Each bite is seasoned to perfection with salt and pepper, enhancing the overall taste. This dish not only pleases the taste buds but also presents an elegant visual appeal, making it a culinary delight.

Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe

Wild Rice Pilaf

Wild Rice Pilaf is a warm and flavorful rice dish that accompanies many of our other recipes!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 200 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Rice Cooker optional

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In a saucepan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 cup wild rice and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
    2 tbsp olive oil, 1 cup wild rice
  • Add 1 onion and 2 cloves garlic (minced) to the rice, sauteing until the onion is soft and the garlic is fragrant.
    1 onion, 2 cloves garlic
  • Add 2½ cup chicken broth and bring to a boil.
    2½ cup chicken broth
  • Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
  • Remove from heat and stir in ¼ cup fresh parsley, 1 tbsp fresh thyme, and ½ tbsp fresh rosemary. Season with salt and Pepper to taste.
    ¼ cup fresh parsley, 1 tbsp fresh thyme, salt, Pepper, ½ tbsp fresh rosemary
  • Serve warm.

Your Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cupsCalories: 200kcal
Keyword Rice
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Hey there! I'm Gabriel. Welcome to Gabe's Recipes! Here you'll find delicious recipes and cooking tips. Thanks for visiting, and happy cooking!

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