Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf (Printable)

A satisfying blend of wild rice and earthy mushrooms creates this hearty, nutty pilaf perfect for any table.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 - In a medium saucepan, bring the wild rice, vegetable broth, and water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 40–45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Drain any excess liquid if necessary.
02 - While the rice cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened.
03 - Add the garlic and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are golden and their moisture has evaporated.
04 - Stir in the thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute, then remove the bay leaf.
05 - Gently fold the cooked wild rice into the mushroom mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley and optional toasted almonds. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The mushrooms develop this incredible golden crust that makes every bite feel luxurious
  • It's one of those dishes that actually tastes better the next day, if there's any left
  • The combination of textures from chewy wild rice and tender vegetables is somehow comforting
02 -
  • Wild rice doesn't behave like regular rice, it needs that longer cooking time to become tender
  • Patience with the mushrooms pays off, letting them brown properly creates so much more flavor
  • The pilaf continues to absorb liquid as it sits, so don't worry if it seems slightly wet when you first combine everything
03 -
  • Rinse the wild rice in a fine mesh sieve until the water runs clear to remove any bitterness
  • Don't rush the mushroom browning step, that's where all the deep umami flavor develops
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