Wild rice is a unique and flavorful ingredient that can add texture and taste to many dishes. Unlike regular white rice, wild rice has a chewy, nutty flavor and a firmer texture even after cooking. This makes it a versatile ingredient to include in recipes, but it also means it requires slightly different cooking methods than regular rice. Many home cooks who regularly make white or brown rice wonder if their trusty rice cooker can handle cooking wild rice as well. With a few adjustments, a rice cooker can be used to make delicious, fluffy wild rice at home.
What is Wild Rice?
Wild rice is not actually a type of rice at all. It is the seed of a marsh grass plant called Zizania palustris that is indigenous to North America. There are four main types of wild rice:
- Northern wild rice – Grown around the Great Lakes region of the U.S. and Canada. It has very long grains.
- Canadian lake wild rice – Grown primarily in Ontario, Canada. The grains are of medium length.
- River wild rice – Grown in river regions of the upper Midwest U.S. It has shorter grains.
- Wild pecan rice – A hybrid between wild rice and white rice. The grains are medium length.
Wild rice has a distinct appearance from other types of rice. The long, thin grains are green when unprocessed and turn an ebony or black color when dried and ready to cook. The flavor of wild rice is earthy, nutty, and bold. It has twice the protein and fiber of brown rice and contains many important vitamins and minerals like folate, potassium, and zinc.
Challenges of Cooking Wild Rice
While nutritious and delicious, wild rice can be tricky to cook properly. Here are some of the challenges home cooks face when preparing wild rice:
- Takes longer to cook – Wild rice grains require far more cooking time than white or even brown rice. The grains must simmer for 35-45 minutes to become tender.
- Prone to overcooking – It’s easy to overcook wild rice, leading to mushy grains that have lost their pleasant chewy texture.
- Tends to scorch – Wild rice has a tendency to burn and stick to the bottom of pots during cooking. The grains must be gently cooked in plenty of liquid.
- Difficult to obtain consistent results – Due to its finicky nature, home cooks can struggle to achieve consistent doneness and texture with wild rice.
These factors make wild rice challenging to work with for beginner and experienced cooks alike. This is why many people wonder if using a rice cooker can help streamline the tricky wild rice cooking process.
Can You Cook Wild Rice in a Rice Cooker?
The good news is that it is absolutely possible to cook wild rice in a rice cooker. Rice cookers provide gentle, even heat that can help prevent the scorching and overcooking that wild rice is prone to. Here are some tips for successfully cooking wild rice in a rice cooker:
- Use a ratio of 1 cup wild rice to 3 cups liquid. The extra liquid is needed to prevent scorching and helps the grains cook evenly.
- Add a touch of oil or butter to the cooking liquid to prevent foaming and boil overs.
- Allow the wild rice to soak for 30 minutes prior to cooking to reduce the overall cooking time.
- Use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water for added flavor.
- Stir the wild rice a few times during cooking if your rice cooker has a removable lid. This prevents sticking.
- Cook on the white rice setting, even if your cooker has a brown rice option. Wild rice takes longer than even brown rice.
- Test the doneness after 35 minutes. Cook for up to 15 minutes more if the grains are still too firm.
- Allow the cooked wild rice to rest for 5 minutes with the lid on before fluffing with a fork.
With the right adjustments to the liquid ratio, cooking time, and method, wild rice can be easily cooked to fluffy, chewy perfection in a rice cooker. The hands-off cooking approach of the rice cooker minimizes the common problems of scorching, boiling over, and uneven cooking.
Tips for Cooking Wild Rice
In addition to using a rice cooker, there are some other helpful tips to achieve perfect wild rice every time you cook it:
- Rinse the uncooked wild rice in a mesh strainer prior to cooking. This removes excess starch and debris.
- Use a heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid so little steam escapes during simmering.
- Add salt, butter, or oil to the cooking liquid – this seasons the rice and prevents foaming.
- Soak the rice ahead of time to shorten cooking time.
- Cook on low heat and resist lifting the lid to prevent moisture loss.
- Test doneness early and often – wild rice overcooks quickly.
- Drain immediately after cooking and spread on a sheet for faster cooling.
- Cook wild rice in chicken or vegetable broth for more flavor.
- Stir in chopped herbs, nuts, or dried fruit after cooking for extra taste.
Following these tips will help ensure your wild rice comes out tender and toothsome every time, whether cooking it on the stovetop or in your rice cooker.
Rice Cooker Wild Rice Recipes
Your rice cooker opens up many possibilities for easy weeknight meals featuring wild rice. Here are some recipe ideas to try:
Simple Herb Wild Rice
Jazz up plain wild rice with your favorite fresh herbs like parsley, dill, basil, or chives. Simply stir 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs into the cooked wild rice before serving. The herbs add a pop of color and flavor.
Wild Rice with Mushrooms
After cooking the wild rice, stir in 1 cup of sautéed mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, or oyster. The earthy mushrooms complement the nutty wild rice wonderfully.
Wild Rice Salad
Make a hearty main dish salad by combining your cooked wild rice with vegetables like corn, diced tomatoes, chickpeas, or peas and chopped greens like spinach, arugula, or kale. Toss with a vinagrette dressing.
Cilantro Lime Wild Rice
Brighten up wild rice by stirring in a heaping tablespoon each of lime juice and chopped cilantro after cooking. Tangy, bold, and irresistible.
Curried Wild Rice
After cooking the rice, stir in 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite curry powder or garam masala spice blend. Then mix in some raisins or slivered almonds for sweetness and crunch.
Wild Rice Stuffed Peppers
Fill bell peppers with a mixture of cooked wild rice, ground turkey or beef, chopped onion, tomato sauce, and shredded cheese. Bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot.
Key Takeaways on Cooking Wild Rice
Cooking wild rice requires some special considerations, but using a rice cooker streamlines the process considerably. Here are the key takeaways on making wild rice in a rice cooker:
- Use a 1:3 rice to liquid ratio for best results.
- Allow the rice to soak prior to cooking to decrease cook time.
- Cook on the white rice setting for 35-50 minutes.
- Resist lifting the lid during simmering.
- Add butter or oil to prevent boiling over.
- Test frequently for doneness starting at 35 minutes.
- Fluff and serve the wild rice immediately after cooking.
- Stir in herbs, spices, vegetables or dried fruit for extra flavor.
With the right cooking method, wild rice can be easily prepared in your rice cooker for an excellent source of fiber, protein, and many other nutrients. The finished dish offers a wonderfully chewy texture and earthy, nutty flavor that complements both savory and sweet ingredients. Don’t be intimidated by wild rice – master cooking it in your rice cooker using these tips and recipes.
| Wild Rice to Liquid Ratio | 1:3 |
|---|---|
| Recommended Soaking Time | 30 minutes |
| Cooking Setting | White rice |
| Approximate Cooking Time | 35-50 minutes |
| Flavor Enhancements | Herbs, spices, butter/oil, broth |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a rice cooker the best way to cook wild rice?
A rice cooker is one of the best and easiest ways to cook wild rice. The even, gentle heat prevents scorching and overcooking. The hands-off approach gives reliable results every time.
Should you rinse wild rice before cooking?
It’s recommended to thoroughly rinse wild rice in a mesh strainer before cooking. This removes any debris and excess starch on the grains which could cause foaming or sticking during cooking.
Can you use broth instead of water for wild rice?
Yes, using chicken or vegetable broth instead of water is recommended for cooking wild rice. The broth adds extra flavor to the grains and helps prevent foaming and boiling over.
Why is it important to let wild rice rest after cooking?
Letting wild rice stand for 5-10 minutes after cooking allows the grains to fully hydrate and results in fluffier rice. The resting time gives the moisture time to distribute evenly throughout the grains.
Should wild rice be stir during cooking?
If cooking wild rice in a rice cooker with a removable lid, it’s a good idea to stir gently a few times during cooking. This helps prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom. If using a pot with a tight-fitting lid, refrain from lifting the lid during simmering.
Can you use a rice cooker to make wild rice pilaf?
Yes, a rice cooker is great for making wild rice pilafs. Simply add the wild rice along with sliced mushrooms, chopped carrots, celery, onions, or other vegetables. Seasonings like thyme or parsley can also be added to the pilaf.
What are some common mistakes when cooking wild rice?
Common mistakes are not using enough liquid, cooking at too high of a temperature, neglecting to soak or rinse the rice first, lifting the lid during simmering, and not allowing the cooked rice to rest before serving. Following the proper rice to liquid ratio, preparation steps, and cooking guidelines will avoid these errors.
How can you tell when wild rice is done?
Check wild rice for doneness starting at 35 minutes. The grains should have split open and be tender but still have a pleasant chewiness. Be careful not to overcook wild rice as it can become mushy very quickly past the ideal doneness point.
Can you use a rice cooker to make wild rice soup or stew?
Yes, a rice cooker can be used to prepare soups or stews containing wild rice. Add your broth, vegetables, and seasonings along with the wild rice. After cooking, the rice will have absorbed the flavors of the soup broth and become tender.
Conclusion
Wild rice requires special preparation, but using a rice cooker greatly simplifies the process. Adjusting the rice to liquid ratio, allowing for a longer cook time, and keeping the lid closed during simmering allows wild rice to be cooked perfectly in a rice cooker. Finished with herbs, spices, broths, vegetables or dried fruit, wild rice becomes an easy and nutritious weeknight dinner option. Following the tips above will help ensure tender, toothsome wild rice every time.