Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf (Printer View)

A nutty, hearty pilaf featuring wild rice and golden sautéed mushrooms with aromatic vegetables.

# 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 thyme
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

# Method:

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 chopped onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Add minced 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 fresh thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release herb aromatics, then remove and discard the bay leaf.
05 - Gently fold the 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.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The nutty wild rice combined with golden mushrooms creates layers of flavor that make every bite interesting
  • It comes together easily but looks impressive enough for company
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld together
02 -
  • Wild rice cooking times can vary depending on the brand and age of the rice. Start checking at 40 minutes and trust your taste buds more than the timer.
  • Patience with the mushrooms pays off. Let them really brown and release their moisture before moving on—this creates that deep, savory flavor.
03 -
  • Rinse wild rice thoroughly until the water runs clear to remove any natural bitterness
  • Toast the almonds in a dry pan over medium heat, watching carefully since they go from perfect to burned quickly
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