Wild rice is a wholesome ingredient that brings both texture and flavor to the table, making it a fantastic addition to your everyday cooking. Nutty, slightly chewy, and packed with nutrients like protein, fiber, and essential minerals, wild rice is much more than just a side dish. With these 12 easy wild rice recipes, you’ll discover how versatile this ingredient can be—perfect for family dinners, holidays, or quick weeknight meals.
Start simple with easy wild rice pilaf, a classic dish that pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, turkey, or fish. By cooking wild rice with onions, garlic, and a mix of herbs, you get a side dish that feels special yet requires very little effort. Another quick favorite is wild rice salad—tossed with fresh veggies, nuts, dried cranberries, and a light vinaigrette. It’s colorful, refreshing, and perfect for meal prep or holiday spreads.
For cozy comfort food, try a wild rice soup. Whether you prefer a creamy chicken and wild rice soup or a vegetable-packed version, this hearty dish is warm, satisfying, and ideal for cold evenings. Wild rice also adds a delicious twist to casseroles. Think creamy chicken and wild rice bake or a cheesy broccoli and wild rice casserole—both are family-friendly and filling.
If you’re looking for lighter options, wild rice works wonders in stuffed vegetables. Wild rice–stuffed bell peppers or stuffed acorn squash not only taste incredible but also make a beautiful presentation on the table. These are excellent for both everyday dinners and special occasions.
Seafood lovers will enjoy recipes like salmon with wild rice pilaf or shrimp and wild rice skillet. The nutty flavor of the rice perfectly balances the richness of the seafood, creating a well-rounded, easy-to-make meal.
And don’t overlook using wild rice in breakfast recipes. A warm bowl of wild rice porridge topped with fruit, nuts, and honey is a hearty, nourishing way to start your morning. It’s different, wholesome, and keeps you energized throughout the day.
The beauty of these easy wild rice recipes is their versatility. Wild rice absorbs flavors beautifully, so you can easily adapt these dishes with your favorite herbs, spices, proteins, or seasonal produce. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and nutrient-rich, making it a healthy choice for the whole family.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast, meal prepping for the week, or just trying to bring something new to the dinner table, these 12 recipes will inspire you to keep wild rice stocked in your pantry. From comforting casseroles and soups to vibrant salads and creative sides, wild rice deserves a permanent spot in your cooking routine.
Chicken Wild Rice Hotdish
Wild rice is perfect for bulking up one-dish meals like Molly’s hotdish. The key to culinary success here is making sure that the rice is cooked al dente, which gives it the perfect chewy, toothsome texture wild rice is known for.
Wild Rice with Citrus
This 5-ingredient side combines nutty, toasty rice with the bright fresh flavor of orange in multiple ways. The rice is cooked in orange juice resulting in a sweet and savory flavor. It’s then tossed with some more fresh juice and orange slices for a side dish that will brighten any hearty meal
Classic Chicken and Wild Rice Hotdish
In this hot and savory dish, wild rice provides the perfect amount of crunchy texture to the soft and silky casserole. Leeks, butter and heavy cream help add rich, decadent flavor that’s delightfully savory in every bite. It’s perfect for serving a crowd and can even be prepped in advance.
Wild Rice Pancakes with Cherry Compote
Wild rice grows like crazy in Minnesota, so Molly is always looking for ways to add it to recipes. It has a heartier texture but adds a really nice nuttiness when folded into light, fluffy pancake batter, and the cherry compote adds the perfect amount of tartness.
Vegan Wild-Rice-Stuffed Butternut Squash
This impressive autumn-inspired dish can be served as a main course for vegan and vegetarian eaters or can be enjoyed by everyone at the table as a side dish. The small amount of curry powder gives the squash a nice warmth and depth—and wild rice makes it hearty and filling.
Chicken Soup with Wild Rice and Hominy
Any leftover cooked grain would work well in this simple soup, but we love the combination of wild rice and hominy. We use a few tricks to get maximum comforting flavor into the soup, starting by enriching the chicken broth with a roast chicken carcass and by adding chopped cilantro and scallion at the very end for freshness.
Green Onion Garlicky Wild Rice
This garlicky rice is warm and nourishing, and it’s a versatile addition to a variety of different meals. If you’re looking for a warm and hearty side dish that isn’t too difficult to whip up, this simple rice dish is packed with flavor. Serrano pepper adds heat, and lime zest adds fresh and vibrant flavor.
Lemony Wild Rice Zucchini Boats
These zucchini boats are chock full of veggies—like cherry tomatoes—and wild rice for a meatless weeknight dinner that’s filling and easy to prepare. Don’t have leftover wild rice? No problem—any kind of rice will work here.
Roast Chicken with Wild Rice Dressing
This wild rice dressing is lighter than a bread-based version and packed with earthy fried fruit. A fruit preserve and cider vinegar glaze on the roast chicken makes the skin extra crispy and flavorful.
Cranberry-Pecan Wild Rice Stuffing
Mix dried apricots and dried cranberries into this thyme-scented, wild rice stuffing for the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
This nourishing recipe is hearty and delicious. It’s cheesy and creamy thanks to the cheddar cheese and sour cream, and sliced cremini mushrooms add umami flavor. Sprinkle with extra cheddar cheese for even more flavor.