Wild Rice with Bacon
Elevate your side dish game with this hearty and flavorful Wild Rice with Bacon recipe, a perfect harmony of nutty wild rice, crispy bacon, and aromatic herbs. This dish begins with tender, perfectly simmered wild rice and layers in the rich, smoky essence of bacon, sautéed with buttery onions, celery, and garlic for a depth of flavor you’ll love. A touch of dried thyme and a garnish of fresh parsley add herbal warmth and a pop of color to this satisfying dish. Ready in just over an hour, this recipe is ideal as a savory, gluten-free side for holiday feasts or a comforting stand-alone meal. With its mix of wholesome ingredients and bold flavors, Wild Rice with Bacon is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup wild rice
- 3 cups water
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 stalks celery stalk
- 2 cloves garlic cloves
- 0.5 teaspoons dried thyme
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
Rinse the wild rice under cold running water in a fine-mesh sieve. This helps remove excess starch and prevents clumping.
In a medium pot, combine the rinsed wild rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and some grains have split open. Drain any excess water, fluff the rice with a fork, and set aside.
While the rice cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crispy, turning occasionally. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble into small pieces once cooled.
Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the rendered bacon fat from the skillet. Add the unsalted butter to the skillet and heat over medium heat.
Finely dice the yellow onion and celery. Mince the garlic cloves. Add the onion and celery to the skillet and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
Add the cooked wild rice and crumbled bacon to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes to heat through.
Finely chop the fresh parsley and stir it in just before serving for a burst of flavor and color.
Serve warm as a side dish or as a comforting main with a simple salad. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1068 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 43.4 g | 56% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.2 g | 101% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 110 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 2104 mg | 91% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 141.2 g | 51% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.5 g | 52% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.8 g | ||
| Protein | 42.1 g | 84% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 136 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 3.8 mg | 21% | |
| Potassium | 1190 mg | 25% | |
*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.
