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Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf

5 from 14 votes

Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf - easy & delicious make-ahead side dish. Loaded with mushrooms, this pilaf has a nutty flavor from the wild rice blend.

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Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf -An easy and delicious make-ahead side dish. Loaded with a variety of mushrooms, this pilaf is filling with a nutty flavor from the wild rice blend. www.savingdessert.com #savingroomfordessert #wildrice #mushroom #ricepilaf #makeahead #sidedish #mushrooms

 

Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf – An easy and delicious make-ahead side dish. Loaded with a variety of mushrooms, this pilaf is deliciously filling with a nutty flavor from the wild rice blend.

I don’t know about you, but I’m so glad to be back to a normal eating pattern; the holidays absolutely wore me out this year.  The decorations are packed and put away, and after 9 long months of helping our daughter and son-in-law renovate an old house, they moved in this past weekend.  The garage is now empty, my car is actually back where it used to live, and we have our weekends free once again.  I’m not complaining though, we loved helping them and learned a lot.  I personally learned I never want to flip houses.   I’m getting too old for all that work!

I’m actually pretty excited to get on a meatless Monday theme once again.  Eating right feels so much better!  But don’t despair, we’re being good MOST of the time, but are also “saving room for dessert.”  To get things started in the right direction I chose this wonderful, delicious, make-ahead pilaf loaded with mushrooms, onions and a wild rice blend.

 

Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf -An easy and delicious make-ahead side dish. Loaded with a variety of mushrooms, this pilaf is filling with a nutty flavor from the wild rice blend.Did you know that the highly nutritious grain ‘wild rice’ is actually a seed, not rice?  This recipe calls for a wild rice blend and you can find it pre-packaged in a box, or bag, or in the bulk bins at your better grocery stores.  In addition to the wild rice blend, you’ll need an onion, chives, mushrooms, vegetable broth, wine and olive oil.

 

Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf -An easy and delicious make-ahead side dish. Loaded with a variety of mushrooms, this pilaf is filling with a nutty flavor from the wild rice blend.I used a variety of mushrooms including shiitake, button and cremini.

Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf -An easy and delicious make-ahead side dish. Loaded with a variety of mushrooms, this pilaf is filling with a nutty flavor from the wild rice blend.I used the biggest frying pan I own and still crowded the mushrooms.  Julia would say “don’t crowd the mushrooms.”  Sorry Julia!

 

Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf -An easy and delicious make-ahead side dish. Loaded with a variety of mushrooms, this pilaf is filling with a nutty flavor from the wild rice blend.Saute the mushrooms until they turn brown and all the wine has evaporated.

 

Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf -An easy and delicious make-ahead side dish. Loaded with a variety of mushrooms, this pilaf is filling with a nutty flavor from the wild rice blend.

Garnish with fresh chopped chives and serve with a crisp light salad for a delicious weeknight meal, completely satisfying and meatless!

 

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Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf -An easy and delicious make-ahead side dish loaded with a variety of mushrooms #wildrice #mushroom #ricepilaf #makeahead #sidedish #mushrooms #pilaf

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Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Author: Tricia
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5 from 14 votes
An easy and delicious make-ahead side dish. Loaded with a variety of mushrooms, this pilaf is filling with a nutty flavor from the wild rice blend. 

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large white onion chopped
  • salt
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 cups wild rice blend
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound mixed mushrooms (button, cremini, and shiitake, sliced)
  • â…“ cup dry white wine
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large, heavy bottom saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and ¾ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the wild rice blend and saute, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds.
  • Add 4 cups of vegetable broth to the rice and onion mixture and bring to a boil.
  • Cover and turn heat to low and cook for 45 minutes or until the broth is absorbed.
  • While the rice is cooking, prepare the mushrooms.
  • Heat a large skillet and 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until browned, about 8 minutes.
  • Add the wine and cook until evaporated, about 4-5 minutes.
  • When the rice is done, fluff with a fork and fold in the mushrooms and chives.
  • Serve, hot or room temperature. May be made up to 2 days in advance. Refrigerate leftovers.

Recipe Notes

Slightly adapted from a recipe on REAL SIMPLE
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 479mg | Potassium: 373mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Here are a few more wild rice recipes you might like to try:

I have so many recipes I want to try this year but before I get carried away, do you have any special requests?   I plan to make more cookies, everybody loves cookies, and we want to stick with this meatless Monday format as well.  I love getting your feedback on recipes, and am happy to answer any questions – so ask away!   Thanks so much for stopping by – 2015 is going to be great!

Tricia

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45 Comments

  1. Chrissy

    5 stars
    Our go to dish when bringing a side to big family gatherings (it makes a ton but is always one of the first dishes to go! Key is good quality mushrooms.

    Reply

  2. lisa

    5 stars
    This was really yummy! My son is a vegetarian so I like to have hearty sides. I paired this with grilled chicken and sautéed spinach. Will definitely have it again!

    Reply

  3. Michele Arnot

    Is it really okay to cook this rice the night before for a dinner party? I am so busy the day of , and love to get a few things done in advance. If so, Do I just cover and warm it up the night of? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Hi Michele. I would warm the rice gently in the microwave on medium power. This dish does not need to be super hot. Barely warm is good. Add a little bit of broth or wine if needed to moisten. Enjoy!

      Reply

  4. Liana

    5 stars
    Just made this because I had a large variety of mushrooms on hand and I obsess about wild rice, growing up eating this amazing grain in Minnesota. I replaced 25% of the rice with brown rice and added fresh chopped basil because I also had a lot of this available that had to be used up.

    Reply

  6. Rachel Nash

    I am planning on making this for a dinner party next weekend. When you say wild rice blend, are you talking about a boxed rice like Uncle Bens? Or will I be able to find a wild rice/white rice mixtures on it’s own? Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Hi Rachel – Great question! You can usually find wild rice blends in the bulk section of your grocery store or in boxes, like Uncle Ben’s, which is fine for this recipe! You can use all wild rice, which is also available in boxes if you prefer. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply

  8. Chris

    Delicious. I added some garden carrot to cook along with the rice and it was great. I didn’t have parsley or chive, but I sprinkled some chopped fresh cilantro over top before serving and paired it with broiled marinated shrimp and a nice Pinot Gris. Yum.

    Reply

  9. Kesha

    This was amazing! Instead of pilaf though, I used all cracked wild rice. 1 cup rice to 4 cups broth. 45 min was perfect! I will definitely be making this again! Thanks!

    Reply

  11. Debby

    Great recipe! We are trying to eat healthier, mainly cutting out processed foods including our long time favorite Uncle Ben’s wild rice. This was the first time I prepared wild rice from scratch, and the recipe was perfect! I didn’t change a thing, except to cut it in half for just 2 people. My husband loves mushrooms, and although I do not like them, I often add them just for him. And these were big enough for me to pick around. He loved it, and already asked when I would be making it again!

    Reply

  13. Monica

    I absolutely love wild rice and it just seems like mushrooms were made for wild rice and rice pilaf! I only started cooking wild rice at home less than a year ago but now I always keep some on hand to cook up every so often. I just love anything with nuttiness and a good chewy texture or bite to it. I could eat your mushroom pilaf everyday for weeks! It looks insane!

    Reply

  16. Terry Covington

    I have a wild request. 🙂 To go along with the wild rice, I guess (which looks absolutely delicious — I plan to make it for me and my mom the next time I visit her in a few weeks). I have a recipe which I enjoy and don’t make often enough. I’m attaching it here. I found it a long time ago, maybe in a magazine. I wondered if you’d like to try it and maybe post about it if you enjoy it. It’s really great toasted for breakfast, and particularly good with cream cheese. Maybe you can think of something to add in other than raisins; but it is good as is, and healthy. It will look like too much for one loaf pan, but if you use a large loaf pan as described it works great. After it sets for a day in the refrigerator, it settles down to a toast-able size, and is almost reminiscent of Boston Brown Bread, but I like it better.

    EDWIN PUGSLEY’S BREAKFAST BREAD (1 loaf)

    2 c. buttermilk
    1/2 c. honey
    1/4 c. molasses
    2 tsp. soda
    1 tsp. salt
    1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
    1/2 c. wheat germ
    1 c. white flour
    3/4 c. raisins

    Mix milk, honey and molasses.
    In another bowl, mix flours and salt and soda. Add to milk mixture, and stir in raisins.
    Pour into a greased 9 x 5 x 3″ bread pan. Preheat oven to 400, then turn it back to 350.
    Slide in pan and bake bread for 1 hour or till done. Cool. Wrap in plastic and foil
    and store in fridge for one day before cutting — very important. Then slice and toast
    or use plain as wanted. Excellent with cream cheese.

    Reply

  17. Susan

    I feel the same way! We are so ready to forgo the holiday desserts and start eating more whole grains and veggies. This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it being the mushroom lover that I am.

    Reply

  18. Kitchen Belleicious

    this dish is one of my daddy’s favorite. of course growing up my grandmother didn’t call it a pilaf but just brown rice and mushroom casserole but honestly it was the same thing as a pilaf in terms of how she made it. to this day its a favorite dish of mine as well!

    Reply

  19. tanna

    I love your Meatless Monday feature, Tricia, and the other healthy recipes you’ve shared with us!! I saw a cookbook listed in a magazine for one pan meals… I’d like to request more quick, easy and healthy mid-week yummies… ALONG with your decadent desserts… after all, what is life without dessert (or “yurt” as Roo says)! 😉 Thank you for always inspiring me. blessings ~ tanna
    ps… congratulations on finishing up on your daughter’s home! Whew! It is a BIG job. I had my spot in the garage for about a month… now, I’ve lost it again! LOL!

    Reply

      • Jan Eskelson

        Hi Tricia, just came across this delicious sounding mushroom recipe, I was wondering what is the best way to reheat it if making ahead?

        Reply

        • Tricia Buice

          Hi Jan – this is such a good recipe – glad you picked it to try! I would recommend reheating in the microwave on 50% power. It doesn’t have to be super hot and you don’t want to hurt the mushrooms by overcooking. Add a little extra wine or vegetable broth if needed to retain a little steamy moisture. Hope this helps and thanks so much for the wonderful question! Happy Thanksgiving and thanks again.

          Reply

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