Wild Rice Pilaf [one pot, 25 minutes]

This Wild Rice Pilaf is naturally vegan, gluten free, and a super easy one pot meal. Packed with a lot of amazing flavors and so versatile.

One Pot Meals are always a wining combo. Little preparation work, maximum flavor, like with this Lentil Chickpea Yellow Curry.

If you’re looking for more amazing one pot meals, use the search bar and enjoy.

Now it’s time for my Wild Rice Pilaf. You will love this because it’s:

festive, super easy to make in one pot, Christmas worthy (but also amazing the whole year), versatile, packed with fantastic flavors.

Also seriously delicious, elegant, comforting, cozy, mouthwatering and once you’ve tried it, you know it’s an all time favorite and keeper.

How to cook wild rice

I keep it really simply and do everything in one pot with all ingredients. So there’s no need to cook the rice separately.

Also I used a wild rice blend which takes half the time of plain wild rice to cook. Such wild rice blends are ready in 20 minutes.

If you’re using wild rice but not a blend, it’s the same but it will just take longer.

How much exactly will depend on your brand. So check the directions precisely for accurate results.

One can say it won’t take longer than 50 minutes, if you’re using regular wild rice.

What is rice pilaf

Wild rice pilaf is made with rice, obviously, and also always made with butter, chicken broth, and mushrooms.

Obviously such a combination is not plant based or dairy free, with added butter and chicken broth.

I do something different and use vegetable broth and also onions for more flavor.

Furthermore I add sweet potatoes for color and texture, and to make it more filling.

Finishing with pine nuts for a buttery and creamy flavor which takes this Wild Rice Pilaf to another level.

For a touch sweetness in contrast to the heartiness, I choose cranberries. Which, trust me, also add a bit of tartness with a hint of sweetness to this dish.

Seriously the Wild Rice Pilaf is so delicious, as you can see from the ingredients. You can use optional garlic, cardamon, cinnamon, or ground cloves to add even more flavor to it.

How to make Rice Pilaf

As I mentioned before you typically butter and chicken broth.

By now I show you easily in one pot how to make wild rice pilaf.

Start with a large pot. Add a bit vegan butter, oil, or vegetable broth for frying to that pot.

Add onions, optional garlic, sweet potatoes, wild rice blend. Fry everything for around 5 minutes. Now add vegetable broth and let all cook for around 15 minutes.

Last, add cranberries and pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper.

Also it’s time to add the optional cinnamon, cardamon, and ground cloves if you plan to use them. Cook for around 5 minutes more.

Serve on plates or in bowls.

Note: you see I fry the wild rice blend in the first step with the onions, sweet potatoes, and optional garlic together.

The reason is I found that frying the blend a bit adds so much flavor to the dish. I tried it without this step and thought it was delicious too.

But with frying the blend it seriously takes it over the top, really yummy.

Also please note I used a wild rice blend, this is why I’m always up for saving time. These blends are faster than regular wild rice.

You can use your favorite wild rice but it will take double the time, so please plan some extra time when making it. Only add the sweet potatoes in the final 20 minutes of cooking then.

This Wild Rice Pilaf makes an amazing and festive dinner, lunch, work lunch, and meal preparation.

Also it’s truly worthy for any Christmas dinner. It will impress everyone no matter what diet directions one follows.

Looking for more Christmas Recipes look no further and try my Garlic Brussels Sprouts Potatoes and the Chickpea Lentil Shepherd’s Pie.

If you give this Wild Rice Pilaf a try tag me on Instagram or Facebook with a picture.

Love seeing all your remakes.

Cheers, Florian.