Using a rice cooker is the easiest one-button method for making wild rice. This foolproof cooking option requires minimal effort. Serve this hearty, nutritious grain as a side dish or add it to soups and salads!
Table of contents
What is wild rice?
Interestingly, wild rice isn’t actually a true rice—it’s the seed of an aquatic grass that thrives in North America’s Great Lakes region. If you're curious about the difference between wild rice and white rice, Origins Wild Rice Co. offers a great breakdown!
Wild rice is considered a superfood packed with health benefits. It’s low in calories and rich in essential minerals and nutrients, including manganese, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin B6, niacin, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper.
With its nutty flavor and chewy texture, wild rice is a hearty and delicious addition to any meal!
Ingredients
One of the most common brands you’ll find in stores is Lundberg. You’ll typically see two main options: cultivated wild rice and wild rice blends.
- Cultivated Wild Rice – Grown in man-made rice paddies without any other rice grains mixed in. Look for the label “cultivated wild rice” on the package. Since it’s more processed and aged, it takes longer to cook—about 50 - 60 minutes.
- Wild Rice Blend – A mix of wild rice, white rice, black rice, and red rice, providing a variety of flavors and textures. It is a more budget-friendly option since it includes a blend of different rice grains.
Since cultivated wild rice and the wild rice blend are most commonly available types in stores, I’ll be covering how to cook both!
Equipment
This wild rice cooking method has been tested on both multifunctional and basic rice cookers. Here are the rice cookers I’ve used that work well for wild rice:
- Cuckoo – A multifunctional rice cooker with several settings. If you have a similar model, use the brown rice or multi-grain setting for the best results.
- Tayama Rice Cooker – A simple, one-button rice cooker. Just press the button, and it will cook the rice perfectly!
Both options make cooking wild rice easy and hassle-free!
Wild rice to water cooking ratio
Cooking wild rice in a rice cooker differs from the stovetop method because the goal is to absorb all the liquid rather than draining excess water. The rice-to-water ratio for the rice cooker method is 1:2 (1 cup of wild rice to 2 cups of water/liquid).
If the rice isn’t as tender as you’d like after cooking, add 1–2 tablespoons of water and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes.
Note: Cooking times and water ratios may vary slightly depending on your rice cooker model and the variety of wild rice used.
How to cook wild rice
Rinse the wild rice thoroughly and drain well.
For wild rice, use a 1:2 ratio—1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water/liquid.
For the wild rice blend use 1:1.5 ratio - 1 cup rice to 1.5 cups water/liquid.
Add the rice and water to the rice cooker pot. Optionally, add salt for flavor.
Start Cooking – Press the cook button if you have a simple one button rice cooker. If using a multifunctional rice cooker, select the brown rice/multigrain setting. Fluff with a spoon when done cooking.
Check for Doneness – If the rice isn’t as tender as you’d like, add 1–2 tablespoons of water and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes.
Rice cooker cooking tips
- For this recipe, use a U.S. standard measuring cup, not the cup that comes with your rice cooker, as rice cooker cups are typically smaller.
- Cooking a wild rice blend can be tricky due to the mix of different grains, which cook at varying rates. Too little water may leave some grains undercooked, while too much water can make others mushy. Through testing, I found that a 1:1½ ratio (wild rice to liquid) works best for achieving a well-balanced texture.
- If the rice grains aren’t fully cooked to your liking, simply continue cooking in the rice cooker until they reach your preferred texture. You can add 1–2 tablespoons of water if needed to prevent drying out.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Wash and drain the rice well to prevent it from becoming soggy when cooked.
Flavored wild rice
Enhance the taste of wild rice by adding different flavors and ingredients.
- Broth Swap – Replace water with chicken, beef, or vegetable broth for a deeper flavor.
- Aromatics & Add-Ins – Add butter, mushrooms, broth, or herbs while cooking to create a flavorful wild rice pilaf, similar to this rice cooker pilaf recipe!
- Fried Wild Rice – Turn your cooked wild rice into a delicious meal by making rice cooker "fried wild rice"—just like this rice cooker “fried rice” recipe!
What to serve with wild rice
Baked chicken skewers - Chicken thigh pieces are marinated in a flavorful yogurt sauce, and baked in less than 20 minutes!
Baked salmon and broccoli - A simple and delicious sheet pan meal made with fresh ingredients.
Thanksgiving spatchcocked turkey - serve wild rice as a delicious and hearty Thanksgiving side.
Wild rice dishes
Thanksgiving Stuffing - A unique take on stuffing, combining wild rice with traditional ingredients like celery, bread, and mushrooms.
Salads - Add wild rice to any salad for a satisfying and filling dish.
Wild rice pilaf - A flavorful pilaf made with a medley of veggies like mushrooms and carrots, infused with onion and garlic aromatics.
Chicken and wild rice soup - A comforting, creamy soup featuring wild rice and leftover chicken.
Frequently asked questions
There are plenty of ways to enhance the flavor of wild rice:
Aromatics – Sauté or mix in garlic, onion, or shallots for depth of flavor.
Broths – Cook the rice in chicken, vegetable, or beef broth instead of water for a richer taste.
Seasonings – Add salt and your favorite spices to enhance the flavor.
Butter & Fats – Stir in butter for richness or drizzle with olive oil for a light, savory touch.
Citrus & Dressings – Toss with a lemon vinaigrette for a fresh, zesty finish.
No, wild rice does not taste like brown rice. Wild rice has a firmer bite and a more pronounced nutty flavor, while brown rice is fluffier and has a subtler, more neutral nutty taste.
Yes, wild rice can become mushy if too much water is added during cooking. It's important to use the correct water-to-rice ratio to ensure it cooks to the right texture—firm with a slight bite, not soft and mushy.
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Rice Cooker Wild Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Wild rice Use a U.S. standard measuring cup, not the cup that comes with your rice cooker.
- 2 cup water or use chicken, vegetable, or beef broth. See below note if using wild rice blend.
- ¼ teaspoon salt optional
Instructions
- Rinse the wild rice thoroughly in a strainer and drain well.
- Add the rice and water to the rice cooker pot. Optionally, add salt for flavor.
- Press the cook button. If using a multifunctional rice cooker, select the brown rice/multi grain setting.
- Fluff with a spoon when done cooking.Check for Doneness – If the rice isn’t as tender as you’d like, add 1–2 tablespoons of water and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes.
Notes
- For wild rice, use a 1:2 ratio—1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water/liquid.
For wild rice blend use 1:1.5 ratio - 1 cup rice to 1.5 cups water/liquid. - Enhance the taste of wild rice by adding different flavors and ingredients:
Broth Swap – Replace water with chicken, beef, or vegetable broth for a deeper flavor.
Aromatics & Add-Ins – Add butter, mushrooms, broth, or herbs while cooking to create a flavorful wild rice dish. - Rinse Thoroughly: Wash and drain the rice well to prevent it from becoming soggy when cooked.
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