Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf (Printable format)

Nutty wild rice paired with golden sautéed mushrooms and aromatic vegetables for a hearty, satisfying dish.

# List of ingredients:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
02 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
03 - 1/2 cup water

→ Vegetables

04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
08 - 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
09 - 1 medium carrot, diced

→ Herbs & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried
11 - 1 bay leaf
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
14 - 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds, optional

# How to make it:

01 - Combine wild rice, vegetable broth, and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40–45 minutes until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Drain any excess liquid.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Add garlic and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are golden brown and their moisture has evaporated.
04 - Stir in thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to blend flavors, then remove and discard bay leaf.
05 - Gently fold cooked wild rice into the mushroom mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with fresh parsley and optional toasted almonds. Serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Wild rice has this amazing chewy texture that makes every bite interesting
  • The mushroom mixture creates this rich savory depth without needing any meat
  • It actually tastes better the next day so it is perfect for meal prep
02 -
  • Wild rice varies by brand so start checking for doneness around 35 minutes
  • Do not skip the step of cooking off the mushroom moisture or your pilaf will be soggy
03 -
  • Rinse wild rice under cold water until the water runs clear
  • Let the pilaf rest for 5 minutes before serving to let flavors meld
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