Cooked Wild Rice
Elevate your meals with this simple yet deliciously nutty Cooked Wild Rice recipe, a versatile staple perfect as a hearty side dish or a base for salads and casseroles. Featuring just four ingredients—wild rice, water, salt, and an optional drizzle of olive oil—this gluten-free and wholesome dish is as easy to prepare as it is satisfying. With its earthy aroma and slight chew, wild rice makes a nutritious addition to any meal. You'll love how the grains naturally bloom and split open during the 45-minute simmer, revealing their tender yet toothsome texture. For added flavor, swap water with vegetable or chicken broth, and enjoy an absolutely customizable bite that pairs beautifully with everything from roasted vegetables to savory proteins. Whether you're meal prepping or crafting a show-stopping dinner menu, cooked wild rice is sure to become your go-to recipe!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup wild rice
- 3 cups water
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the wild rice under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve or colander to remove any debris and excess starch. This step ensures a cleaner and lighter final dish.
In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed wild rice, water, and salt. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can replace part or all of the water with vegetable or chicken broth.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer gently.
Cook the wild rice for 40-45 minutes, or until the grains are tender but still have a slight chew. You will notice some of the grains start to split open when fully cooked.
If there is any remaining liquid in the pan after cooking, drain it off using a fine-mesh sieve or colander.
Fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in olive oil, if desired, for extra flavor and a glossy finish.
Serve the cooked wild rice immediately as a side dish or let it cool for use in other recipes like salads or casseroles.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
609 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 6.6 g | 8% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.0 g | 5% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1219 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 124.4 g | 45% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.7 g | 38% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.0 g | ||
| Protein | 23.1 g | 46% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 43 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 476 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
