Wild Rice Recipe Instant Pot: Easy & Delicious Meals

Wild rice is a nutrient-packed, hearty grain that offers a delightful nutty flavor and chewy texture, making it a fantastic addition to your mealtime repertoire. While traditionally cooked on the stove, wild rice can take quite some time to prepare.

Enter the Instant Pot—a game-changer for quick, consistent results with minimal effort. Whether you’re a busy professional, a home cook looking for convenience, or just someone who loves wholesome meals, this wild rice recipe in the Instant Pot is perfect for you.

This recipe is simple, straightforward, and yields fluffy, perfectly cooked wild rice every time. Plus, it’s versatile enough to pair with your favorite mains or be the star of a nutritious salad or bowl.

Ready to unlock the full potential of wild rice in a fraction of the time? Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Instant Pot wild rice recipe stands out for several reasons. First, it dramatically reduces cooking time compared to traditional stovetop methods, going from nearly an hour to just about 30 minutes.

The pressure cooking method ensures that each grain is tender yet chewy, preserving the unique texture that wild rice lovers crave.

Second, it’s hands-off cooking—perfect for multitasking in the kitchen or prepping other parts of your meal. The recipe uses simple ingredients, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels.

Finally, wild rice is an excellent source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants, so you’re not only saving time but also nourishing your body.

Ingredients

• 1 cup wild rice
• 3 cups water or vegetable broth (for extra flavor)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegan butter (optional, for richness)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves minced garlic (optional, for flavor)

Equipment

• Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Fine mesh strainer (to rinse the rice)
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
• Serving bowl or dish

Instructions

1. Rinse the wild rice thoroughly under cold running water using a fine mesh strainer. This helps remove dust and excess starch for fluffier rice.
2. Add rinsed wild rice, water or vegetable broth, salt, and olive oil to the Instant Pot. If using garlic or black pepper, add them now for enhanced flavor.
3. Secure the lid and set the pressure release valve to sealing. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting and set the timer for 30 minutes on high pressure.
4. Once the cooking cycle completes, allow a natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes to let the rice finish steaming gently.
5. Carefully switch the pressure release valve to venting to release any remaining pressure, then open the lid.
6. Fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains and serve immediately, or let it cool for use in salads or bowls.

Tips & Variations

“Always rinse wild rice before cooking to remove any debris and improve texture.”

• Broth swap: Use vegetable or mushroom broth instead of water for a richer taste.
• Herbs and spices: Add dried thyme, rosemary, or bay leaf before cooking for an aromatic twist.
• Mix-ins: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, chopped nuts, cranberries, or fresh herbs after cooking for a flavorful side.
• Double batch: This recipe scales well; just double the ingredients and increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes.
• Make it a pilaf: Sauté diced onions and celery in the Instant Pot using the sauté function before adding wild rice and liquid.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Wild rice is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a wide variety of dishes. Serve it as a side alongside roasted vegetables or grilled tofu for a wholesome meal.

For a heartier option, mix it into a vegan stew or chili.

Try tossing cooked wild rice with fresh baby spinach, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries for a refreshing salad—perfect for a lunch on the go. For more recipe inspiration, check out our Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas.

If you’re looking for a comforting bowl, wild rice works beautifully in soups such as the Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food. And for a complete meal, pair wild rice with flavorful vegetable curries like our Classic Vegetarian Indian Vegetable Curry Recipes to Try Today.

Conclusion

Mastering wild rice in the Instant Pot is a simple and rewarding way to incorporate this wholesome grain into your meals. With just a few ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can enjoy perfectly cooked wild rice every time.

Not only does this method save time, but it also enhances the natural flavors and textures, making it a delightful base or side dish for countless recipes.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or new to the kitchen, this recipe is approachable and versatile. Experiment with different broths, spices, and mix-ins to make it your own.

For more plant-based and vegan recipe ideas, feel free to explore our extensive collection of easy and delicious recipes.

Happy cooking and enjoy your nutritious, flavorful wild rice!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Wild Rice Recipe Instant Pot”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A hearty and flavorful wild rice dish cooked quickly in the Instant Pot. Perfect as a side or base for your favorite meals.”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT40M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup wild rice”, “2 cups chicken or vegetable broth”, “1 cup water”, “1 tablespoon olive oil”, “1 small onion, finely chopped”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/4 teaspoon black pepper”, “1/2 teaspoon dried thyme”, “1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Set Instant Pot to saut\u00e9 and heat olive oil.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add onion and garlic, saut\u00e9 until translucent.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Rinse wild rice under cold water and add to the pot.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in broth and water, then add salt, pepper, and thyme.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Close lid and set Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 25 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Fluff rice with a fork and stir in fresh parsley before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “220”, “proteinContent”: “6g”, “fatContent”: “4g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “40g”}}