Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe (2024)

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If you’re in for a luscious Thanksgiving side dish, you’ll be twitterpated with this Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf recipe. Brown and black rice is lightly toasted with savory aromatics, then simmered to a softened perfection. Paired with sauteed vegetables and dried cranberries, to create a magical experience for your mouth.

Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe (1)

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Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf

I am slightly giddy over this festive recipe. Once you make it, you’ll completely understand my slight obsession. When I stock up on my favorite whole grains is often when I toss this lustrous dish together. There’s no learning curve to learning how to cook wild rice. Super easy and delicious.

Just like my Brown Rice Porcini Mushroom Risotto and Warm Farro Panzanella Salad, this cranberry rice pilaf with vegetables is pure perfection as a dinner or a side dish. Seriously, the best of both worlds and the tastiest leftovers. Can you even fathom that it’s a one-pot meal too?!

You can also enjoy this dish cold, warm, or straight out of the pan when it’s piping hot. For me, this depends on the season. I tend to eat it hotter when it’s colder out and vice versa.

What is Wild Rice Pilaf?

In its most basic form, it’s a mixture of rice, spices, and herbs, sauteed in a dash of oil, then simmered to softness in broth. Some pilaf recipes, like this one, utilize vegetables and dried fruits to further the flavor of the dish.

Wild rice is commonly a mixture of brown basmati grains and long black rice. However, this will depend on the brand and type you buy as each mixture has some of its own additions. I love making my own mixture just so I know exactly what’s in there.

How to Cook Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf

  1. Saute – Saute the onions before adding in the carrots, herbs, and spices. Add in the rice.
  2. Simmer – Add in the stock, bell pepper, and some of the cranberries. Simmer. Remove from heat and leave to sit for a bit and continue cooking in its own steam.
  3. Serve – Fluff the dish, garnish, serve, and enjoy!

Add-Ins Ideas

  • Chestnuts
  • Wild Mushrooms
  • Chopped Pecans
  • Roasted Butternut Squash
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Toasted Pine Nuts
  • Roasted Grapes
  • Dried Cherries or Apricots.

Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe (2)

FAQ

  • Is rice pilaf gluten-free? This dish is definitely gluten-free. Not all recipes are made the same as mine though. So, it’s always a good idea to check all ingredients in a recipe to ensure no gluten ingredients are used.
  • Is pilaf healthy? This particular recipe is packed with nutrients. However, if you’re looking for something that is low carb, grains aren’t the way to go. In other words, this probably isn’t the dish for you.
  • What is the difference between wild rice and pilaf? The only difference is the cooking method. Wild rice is often boiled without seasoning. Rice pilaf has the rice toasted in a little oil with spices or herbs before simmering slowly until softened.
  • Can I make my own wild rice mix? To make your own mix, combine equal parts brown basmati grains and long black rice. Easy peasy!
  • Is there a substitute for the white wine? Of course! Just simply swap out some lemon juice or veggie stock in its place.
  • Which cranberries should i use? This recipe calls for dried sweet cranberries, the fresh ones simply would not hold up to the cooking time here. Save those for your Thanksgiving Orange Cranberry Sauce and the best ever Cranberry Bread.

More Rice Recipes:

Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe (3)

Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe (4)

5 from 2 votes

Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf

Thanksgiving cranberry wild rice pilaf. 1 Pot, Easy, healthy + gluten free!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:50 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat up a large deep skillet or pot over medium low flame. Add the olive oil ( or a splash of water ) and the chopped onion. Sautee with a pinch of sea salt until translucent.

  • Stir in the grated carrot, thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary, bay leaves and red pepper flakes. Add the wild rice mix and mix well to combine. Allow it to toast together with the aromatics for a couple of minute.

  • Add in the chopped bell pepper and 1 cup of the cranberries. Pour in the vegetable stock or water, stir and taste for seasonings. Add more sea salt to your taste.

  • Bring the pilaf to a simmer, cover with a tight lid and cook on low flame for 50 minutes.

  • Turn off the flame but do not remove the lid. Allow the rice to sit covered for 10 to 15 minutes and continue cooking in its own steam.

  • Discard the bay leaves and the woody sprigs from the herbs. Use a fork and gently fluff up the rice.

  • Serve warm or cold garnished with the remaining cranberries and fresh herbs.

Video

Notes

  • What is the difference between wild rice and rice pilaf? The only difference is the cooking method. Wild rice is often boiled without seasoning. Rice pilaf has the rice sauteed in spices or herbs and oil, before simmering slowly until softened.
  • Can I make my own wild rice mix? To make your own mix, simply combine equal parts brown basmati grains and long black rice.
  • Is there a substitute for the white wine? Yes, simply swap out some lemon juice or veggie stock in its place.

Nutrition

Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 476mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 3665IU | Vitamin C: 44.8mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 3.3mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: rice pilaf, Thanksgiving, vegan recipes

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 368kcal

Author: Florentina

Plant-Based

Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe (5)
Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe (7)

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  1. Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe (13)
    Great recipe! My vegetarian daughter loves this dish!

    Reply

  2. Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe (14)
    Keeping for foggy colder days 🙂

    Reply

Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to soak wild rice before cooking? ›

Soaking Wild Rice is optional unlike other grains and seeds that should generally be soaked to reduce phytic acid. This is because during the finishing process like any other Real Wild Rice it is parched over Wood Fire to help remove the hull.

How much water is needed to cook 1 cup of wild rice? ›

What's the water to rice ratio for wild rice? Although it's pricey, the good news is that with a 1 to 4 ratio (1 cup wild rice to 4 cups water) you get a big bang for your buck.

What liquid is most often used to cook rice by the pilaf method? ›

The most commonly used, of course, is water, but you can also use a stock such as vegetable stock or chicken stock for extra flavor. Just keep in mind that if you are cooking white rice, using stock may change its color.

Is wild rice supposed to be hard when cooked? ›

If you find it's still very crunchy, let it simmer a bit longer—up to an additional 15 minutes. If there's any remaining water, strain it away. Then fluff the rice with a fork and serve. The finished rice should be chewy and some of the grains should pop open revealing the tender inside.

What happens if you don't soak wild rice? ›

Do I Have to Soak Wild Rice? You don't have to soak wild rice, but you can if you like. Soaking the rice in a bowl of water for at least 30 minutes or as long as 2 hours will cut down on the cooking time by 50%, but since it takes time to soak, it doesn't really save you any time.

What happens if you don't rinse wild rice before cooking? ›

The chief reason to rinse is to remove surface starch from rice grains, which can make them gummy as they cook. Soaking allows rice to absorb water, giving it a leg up on cooking. This helps it to have a better, more even texture, instead of drying out while the inside is not evenly steamed and fluffed.

How much water do I need for 2 cups of wild rice? ›

📖 Instructions

The ratio of liquid to wild rice for cooking it on the stovetop is 3 cups to 1 cup. Add your water to a large sauce pot, and bring it to a boil, over high heat. Rinse your uncooked wild rice grains with cool, clean water. This removes any dust or debris that has settled in storage.

Is wild rice healthier than white rice? ›

white rice. When comparing wild, brown, and white rice for nutritional purposes, wild rice comes out on top. Wild rice has less calories, less fat, and less carbohydrates than both brown and white rice. It is also a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids.

How much wild rice for two people? ›

For 2 servings use 120g of Tilda Wild Rice or 1 cup. Wash the rice under cold water using a sieve or colander, or rinse in a pan until the water runs clear. This vital step prior to cooking removes any excess starch, giving you more separate grains, while bringing out the rice's distinct aroma.

What makes a pilaf a pilaf? ›

Pilaf (US: /ˈpiːlɑːf/), pilav or pilau (UK: /ˈpiːlaʊ, piːˈlaʊ/) is a rice dish, or in some regions, a wheat dish, whose recipe usually involves cooking in stock or broth, adding spices, and other ingredients such as vegetables or meat, and employing some technique for achieving cooked grains that do not adhere to each ...

Do you wash rice before pilaf? ›

Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. This will get rid of surface starch that would make the rice pilaf gummy. Add ingredients like minced onion and garlic. This will add to the flavor of the rice pilaf, but make sure they are minced, you want them the same size as the individual grains of rice.

Is it necessary to wash rice for pilaf? ›

Traditional recipes insist that for a truly great pilaf you must soak or a least repeatedly rinse the rice before cooking.

How do I know when wild rice is done? ›

The wild rice grains will pop open when they're done and will have a chewy “al dente” feel when you taste it. You don't want any crunch left, but also don't want it to be mushy. Once it's cooked, turn off the heat and leave the wild rice covered for an additional 15 minutes.

Why is my wild rice gummy? ›

If the rice is too sticky or gummy, it means that it is overcooked. After draining the rice, pour a light stream of cool water over the sieve or colander. Gently unstick the grains of rice with your fingers. Bake the rice in the oven for 5 minutes to remove the excess water.

Can you overcook wild rice? ›

Wild Rice should be cooked until it puffs and the inside, lighter portion of the grain can be seen. Overcooking may cause mushiness. To keep the grains of rice from sticking together for use in cold salads, toss four cups of cooked wild rice with one tablespoon of cooking oil.

What is the best way to cook wild rice? ›

Stovetop Cooking Instructions:

Place wild rice, water (or stock) and salt in a saucepan over medium high heat. Give it a stir. Put the lid on. Bring it to a boil, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 40-45 minutes.

Can you eat soaked wild rice raw? ›

Wild rice doesn't have to be boiled.

You probably grew up making rice by cooking it in a pan of boiling water, but when it comes to wild rice boiling it isn't necessary. Wild rice, which is technically a grass, not rice, can be eaten raw after soaking it in a couple cups of water for two-three days.

Why is my wild rice hard? ›

Wild rice is naturally chewier than cooked white and brown rice, but if you think your rice isn't as soft as it should be at the end of cooking, add 1-2 tablespoon of liquid and cook longer. Wild rice can also be made in a pot on the stove, or in the Instant Pot.

Does wild rice need more or less water? ›

Wild Rice that is a tan color will cook much more quickly and with less water than Wild Rice that is heavily parched and black in color. Ingredients: 1 Cup Wild Rice. 1-2 cups water (texture will be par-cooked with 1 cup of water, very soft with 2 cups- I prefer 1 ½ cups of water for slightly chewy 'al dente' rice)

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