Updated on October 14th, 2022
Wild rice can be cooked in a variety of ways, including in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in an oven dish. However, you’ll find that using a rice cooker is by far the most convenient technique. We guarantee that once you master the art of cooking wild rice in a rice cooker, you’ll be cooking and serving it more often because it’s a delicious and nutritious meal that’s easy to make.
Make sure to pay attention to all the necessary instructions and helpful tips that we have provided to guide you through the process of cooking wild rice correctly in a rice cooker.
Wild Rice Nutrition Facts
Tips for Cooking Wild Rice in a Rice Cooker
Keep the following tips in mind when cooking wild rice in a rice cooker:
Rinse and soak your rice – Follow these easy steps to rinse the rice properly:
- Pour the amount of wild rice you plan to cook in a mixing bowl. Submerge the wild rice completely in enough cold water.
- Gently swish the rice grains in the water, afterwards, empty the rice into a colander or sieve to drain the water. Repeat this washing process three more times to clean the rice sufficiently.
- Fill the bowl with water and return the rinsed rice to it. Allow 30 minutes for it to soak.
Rinsing the rice helps to get rid of any contaminants on the surface. Also, taking the extra time to soak the rice leads to a fluffier texture as well as a softer consistency.
Appropriate rice-to-water ratio – Make sure you have the right rice-to-water ratio. For every cup of wild rice being cooked in the rice cooker, you should use about two cups of water. The rice will be undercooked, hard and gritty if you don’t have enough water.
Also, if you put in a lot of water, the wild rice will become mushy and viscous, and the consistency will be similar to soft porridge. We’re sure that’s not the outcome you’re looking for with your recipe.
Necessary ingredients – You’ll need the following:
- Wild rice: There are many varieties to try (Reese Minnesota wild rice is a popular brand). Make sure not to skip the soaking and rinsing step for the best results.
- Cooking liquid: Besides water, you could also try chicken or vegetable broth for added flavor.
- Seasoning: You’ll need salt to cook your wild rice in a rice cooker. Other seasoning ingredients of your choice could also be included; fresh herbs and butter (or oil) are all optional flavoring ingredients that you could include in your recipe for added flavor.
Seasoning tips – To make wild rice more flavorful, replace the water in a recipe with the same quantity of broth or stock. Unsalted versions of these options are preferable since it allows you to control the sodium content. Other aromatics, such as sautéed onions or garlic, can also be put into the cooking pot before cooking. To avoid over-salting, use a small amount of salt before cooking and adjust to taste later.
Wild rice can typically be seasoned with additional spices or a hint of acid, such as lemon, after it has been cooked. You can also add vegetables or chopped herbs to it. Use chopped fruit, such as pineapple or mango, for a truly unique twist.
To prevent sticking – We recommend that you spray your rice cooker’s pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray for the best results. This will help to prevent the rice from adhering to the bottom of the pan. A piece of paper towel dunked in melted butter can also be used to lightly grease the rice cooker pan.
Ideal cooking time – According to the size and strength of your rice cooker, cooking time will typically vary. The most ideal advice you need to keep in mind is to thoroughly study the instruction booklet for your particular rice cooker model in order to understand the appropriate cooking durations. Afterwards, you can simply experiment with your recipe until you are pleased that you have obtained the perfect result.
How to shorten cooking time – To cook wild rice rapidly, soak it for at least 2 hours in twice its volume of water (preferably unchlorinated) before putting it in the rice cooker. The grains will be softened by the water. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours or overnight. Before cooking, rinse it. Cooking time is cut in half using this method.
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Cooking Time for Wild Rice in a Rice Cooker
The ideal cooking time for wild rice in a rice cooker has been described in the table below:
| Cooking Procedure | Cooking Time |
| Cooking wild rice in a rice cooker | 45 to 55 minutes |
Wild Rice (4 Servings)
Ingredients
Instructions
- A spoonful of vegetable oil or butter should first be rubbed into the rice cooker insert.
- Next, pour 1 cup of wild rice into the rice cooker, followed by 2 cups of water, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Give the rice cooker a good shake to stir the ingredients together.
- Choose the brown or white rice rice cooking option on your rice cooker. Wild rice took approximately 45 to 55 minutes to cook in a rice cooker during the course of making this recipe.
- Allow the cooked wild rice to rest for 10 minutes once the cooking cycle is finished, then use a fork to fluff the rice before you serve.
If you need more ideas on how to cook wild rice in a rice cooker, take a look at this video recipe we’ve recommended for you.
Notes
- While testing this recipe, it was observed that not all the brands of wild rice produce the same results, particularly in terms of cooking time. This recipe tested all the cooking methods using Lundberg’s Wild rice blend and Reese Minnesota Wild Rice. Having said that, it’s important to note that the variation in cooking time was only about a few minutes.
This recipe makes delicious wild rice that can be eaten alone or added to soups, salads, or casserole recipes. Its nutty qualities quickly improve a dish, and we highly recommend it as a recipe to explore.
