Want to learn how to cook wild rice, without too much fuss? Follow these simple directions and read our advice for seasoning and recipes.
Contrary to the name, wild rice is not rice — it is actually the seed of an aquatic grass. This grass grows in shallow, freshwater lakes across select regions of North America and is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. However, this healthy ingredient is as versatile as rice, and it’s worth understanding how to cook wild rice — particularly in a slow cooker — and how to flavor wild rice to your preference!
Slow Cooker Wild Rice Directions
One of my best friends swears by a rice cooker, but I just can’t justify it. I don’t have the counter or storage space, and I simply don’t make complex rice recipes often enough to invest.
For me, a slow-cooker wild rice recipe is best. I already have a slow cooker that I love (It’s full of chili right now, in fact!), so it’s no stretch for me to prepare wild rice in my kitchen using this method.
When preparing wild rice in a slow cooker, you’ll first want to determine your ingredient list.
If you’re preparing rice for multiple dishes, you may not want to add additional flavoring or ingredients like celery, cranberries, almonds, or onions. If you’re looking for a side dish for dinner and want to spice things up, you may want to add all of these — and more!
Cooking rice for a vegetarian also means you’ll want to use vegetable broth or just water, whereas rice for people who consume meat may contain chicken or beef broth, depending on the recipe.
All in all, cooking rice in the slow cooker is easy, and highly customizable.
Here’s a basic rundown of the minimum ingredients for a successful slow cooker rice:
- Greasing option of your choice. Wild rice sticks easily to pots. I strongly suggest using a nonstick cooking spray or generously lining the pot with butter before cooking your rice.
- 3 parts water for every 1 part rice. What this means: 2 cups of dry rice will require 6 cups of liquid. Slow cookers make wild rice pretty quickly, considering their name.
Wild rice will cook for 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours on high or 5-6 hours on low.
I recommend checking the rice every hour and stirring it. This will allow you to monitor the doneness and ensure that the rice doesn’t stick.
Slow-cooker wild rice is an excellent holiday side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you want to serve a hot meal to several people without running out of oven or stove-top space!
Other Ways to Cook Wild Rice
You can cook wild rice in a multitude of ways, including:
- Stovetop
- Rice cooker
- Microwave
- Instant Pot
- Oven
How to Season Wild Rice
You can make your wild rice incredibly flavorful with a rich array of spices and herbs, both during and after cooking.
One of the best things about rice is that it is essentially a blank canvas. It works well with almost any flavor and can be customized as a side dish for any recipe.
Including herbs in the cooking process will help infuse flavor in your rice. Some of my favorites include:
- Parsley
- Dill
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Cilantro
Spices, whether mixed or separate, can add a lot of flavor to your rice recipes and keep them from feeling redundant, boring, or bland. These spices add a lot of flavor to rice:
- Pepper
- Salt
- Chili powder
- Cajun seasoning
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Paprika
- Curry powder
- Cumin
Other Ways to Flavor Wild Rice
What you use for a liquid dictates the flavor of the rice. You’ll want to be mindful of what you use for a broth or bouillon. Many people mix half water and half broth when cooking their rice. You can use any of the following stocks:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Vegetable
- Fish
Sauces are another way to bring life to your rice recipes. One of my favorite add-ins is pesto or garlic butter, but you can also try some of the following:
- Salsa
- Curry
- Sriracha
- Tikka masala
Flavorful vegetables add texture, color, and unique flavoring to your rice. Depending on what you plan to serve alongside the rice, some great suggestions are:
- Broccoli
- Bok choy
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Bell peppers
- Scallions
What to Do With Leftover Wild Rice
Leftover rice is a versatile ingredient for repurposing into new recipes. Here are some of our faves:
- Harvest Wild Rice Salad
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Wild Rice Porridge
- Easy Tex Mex Veggie & Rice Stuffed Peppers
- Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing
- Mushroom & Wild Rice Pilaf
How Long Does Wild Rice Last in the Fridge?
Cooked wild rice can last up to a week in the fridge if stored in an airtight container and drained well.
Tips for the Perfect Wild Rice
Here are our best tips and tricks for perfecting your wild rice, no matter how you cook it:
- Keep a close eye on the rice. You’ll know when it’s done when you can see the cream-colored center. Stirring frequently and paying attention to your rice regularly will prevent overcooking and yield the perfect result.
- Use a lid. Cooking wild rice using any method will require a cover while the rice simmers. Don’t forget that the lid can steam up, so you’ll have to lift it to look inside for an accurate idea of the status of your rice.