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    Home / Prairie Kitchen / Wild Rice Pilaf

    Wild Rice Pilaf

    Wild rice pilaf recipe with nutty Manitoba wild rice, buttery mushrooms, and thyme — an earthy Canadian prairie side dish that pairs with roast chicken or game.

    ⏱ 15 minPrep time
    🔥 30 minCook time
    🍽 4Servings
    🏷 Prairie KitchenCategory
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Wild rice pilaf with mushrooms, cranberries and toasted almonds

    Wild rice from Manitoba’s northern lakes was traded across the continent long before settlers arrived, and it is still harvested by hand from canoes in some places today. It is a prairie treasure — a grain with a deep, nutty flavor and a satisfying chew that you simply cannot find anywhere else.

    This pilaf lets that flavor shine: wild rice cooked in broth, then tossed with buttery mushrooms, sweet onion, and a whisper of thyme. It is rustic and elegant at the same time, equally at home beside a weeknight roast chicken or a holiday turkey, and it makes a lovely bed for game meats too.

    Master the rice and you master the dish: How to Cook Perfect Rice Every Time.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. In a saucepan, bring the broth and wild rice to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes until the rice is tender and the grains have split open.
    2. Drain any excess liquid and set the rice aside.
    3. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the onion for 5 minutes until softened.
    4. Add the mushrooms and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden and their liquid has evaporated.
    5. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
    6. Add the cooked wild rice, salt, and pepper, and toss everything together over low heat until warmed through.
    7. Stir in the parsley and dried cranberries, if using, and serve.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Rinse the wild rice well before cooking and give it enough time — undercooked wild rice is chewy in the wrong way. The pilaf keeps for 4 days in the fridge and reheats well in a skillet with a splash of broth.

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    Recipe details

    Prep15 min
    Cook30 min
    Servings4
    CategoryPrairie Kitchen
    PublishedAugust 16, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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