This is a simple, no-fail recipe for making Instant Pot Wild Rice that is tender and flavorful, with a nutty, earthy flavor that you’ll go back to again and again.
» Also try this method for Instant Pot Sushi Rice, Instant Pot Coconut Rice, or Instant Pot Sticky Rice.
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If you’ve never tried making rice in the Instant Pot, you’re about to be pleasantly surprised. I won’t go back to any other method for cooking rice now that I know how perfectly it can be done in the IP.
Wild rice is slightly different than other types of rice like basmati or jasmine, because it needs to cook longer to become tender, but you can do this very easily in the Instant Pot and have perfectly cooked rice every time.
For wild rice, the cook time is 25 minutes with a 10 minute natural release. This produces a perfectly tender wild rice that can be served alongside your main dish or used in a wild rice soup. That’s a big time savings over making it on the stovetop, even with the pressurizing time.
What is Wild Rice?
Wild rice, despite its name, is not technically rice but a type of grass that produces edible grains. It is native to North America and is typically found growing in shallow water in small lakes and slow-flowing streams. It’s known for its high nutritional content, including protein, fiber, and antioxidants, which are often higher than those of traditional white or brown rice.
The grains of wild rice are longer and more slender than traditional rice and are generally dark brown or black in color. The grain has a chewy outer sheath with a tender inner grain that has a slightly nutty taste.
Wild rice is particularly rich in many B vitamins, as well as minerals like iron, zinc, and phosphorus. In addition, because it’s a whole grain, it can help to provide a sense of fullness and promote digestive health.
It’s used in a variety of dishes, from soups and salads to stir-fries and stuffings, and is sometimes mixed with other types of rice to add texture and flavor variety.
» Check out Instant Pot vs Rice Cooker: Which is Better?
Ingredients You Need
Not surprisingly, this recipe consists of just a few ingredients. It’s super simple. You can cook as many cups as you want at a time. The cook time does not vary.
- Wild Rice
- Water (or broth if you want to add more flavor)
- Salt
- Butter or oil
The salt and butter/oil are not required ingredients. You can leave them out if you want. I add them because I think the rice has more flavor and a silkier texture when they are added.
How to Make Instant Pot Wild Rice
Combine the rice and water, plus the butter/oil and salt if you’re using them, in the Instant Pot inner pot. Stir.
Lock the lid and set the vent to sealing, if that’s necessary for your model.
Press the pressure cook button and set the time to 25 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork or wooden spoon.
If some liquid remains, let the rice sit for a few minutes to soak it up.
What to Serve With Wild Rice?
Wild rice has a rich, nutty flavor and chewy texture that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:
- It pairs well with lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, or tofu. You could also serve it with roasted or grilled beef or pork.
- Roasted vegetables like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms are a great complement. Steamed or sautéed green vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, or Brussels sprouts also work well.
- Add wild rice to salads for a hearty and healthy addition. It goes well with ingredients like dried cranberries, nuts, apple pieces, and goat cheese or feta.
- Wild rice can be added to soups and stews to add a hearty texture. It works particularly well in chicken and wild rice soup, or in a creamy mushroom and wild rice soup.
- You can incorporate wild rice into a variety of casseroles. For example, a chicken and wild rice casserole with cream of mushroom soup can be a comforting dish.
- Wild rice can be used as a stuffing for poultry or bell peppers.
>>Try one of these 11 Instant Pot Meals in Under 30 Minutes.
Main Dishes to Serve This With
This is a great side dish to serve with just about any main dish protein. I like to serve it with chicken and pork. Here are a few options to enjoy:
Why Use An Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. If you don’t have one, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot and the many accessories you can buy for it.
- Don’t Have an Instant Pot? This guide can help you choose the right one.
- See reviews and prices for Instant Pots on Amazon.
- Learn some great Instant Pot Tips & Tricks.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Instant Pot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I add to wild rice for flavor?
Wild rice has a mild nutty flavor on its own. You can add different ingredients to give it a bit more taste if you like. One of the easiest ways to add more flavor is to cook the rice with chicken stock rather than water.
Consider adding herbs and spices to enhance its natural flavor. Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley and spices like garlic, onion powder, and black pepper can add a lovely dimension to the dish.
What is the proper ratio of water to rice?
For wild rice in the Instant Pot, we do a 1:1.3 ratio. That’s one cup of rice to 1 1/3 cups water. Wild rice needs slightly more water than other rice in order to fully hydrate. If you find that your rice is still too firm after cooking, you can add 1/3 cup more water and let it sit with the lid on for 5 minutes.
Do I need to pre-soak or rinse the rice before cooking?
This step can help to remove any dust or debris from the grains. However, it’s not a necessary step if the wild rice appears clean or it’s already been pre-washed, which is often the case with packaged wild rice. It’s up to you if you choose to do it or not.
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Instant Pot Wild Rice
Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup (160 g) wild rice
- 1 1/3 cup (315 ml) water or low-sodium broth
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) olive oil or butter
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) salt
Instructions
- Rinse the rice thoroughly in cold water in a colander. Drain well.
- Pour the rice into the Instant Pot along with the water, oil/butter, and salt.
- Secure the lid and set the vent to sealing (if necessary for your model).
- Set to cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. When done, allow a natural release of pressure for 10 minutes, then release the remaining pressure and open the lid.
- Fluff the rice with a fork.
Nutrition
Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.
I recently tried your instant pot wild rice recipe, and I’m hooked.
Thanks Terry!
Such a time saver
I love to make wild rice as a side dish. I’m so happy that it comes out so well in the Instant Pot.
I’m happy you liked it Charlotte!
I wasn’t sure what to expect. I enjoyed it more then I thought I would.