It’s simple to make Instant Pot wild rice blend. This easy recipe uses a wild rice blend like Lundberg, though any similar brand will work. The result is nutty, flavorful rice that’s tender with a pleasant chew every time.
The Instant Pot shines when you want quick, hands-off side dishes. While the main course often gets the attention, sides are just as important and can be fast and stress-free when made in a pressure cooker. From frozen vegetables to different rice varieties, pasta, and potatoes, the Instant Pot reduces dinner prep time and lets you focus on the main dish or relax for a few minutes before serving.
This wild rice blend is an upgrade from plain white rice. Its nutty flavor and satisfying texture pair well with salmon, salmon patties, or chicken with a creamy sauce. It also complements vegetarian mains and makes a hearty base for salads or grain bowls.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Easy to make, cooks quickly, and is mostly hands-off.
- Pairs well with fish, chicken, and vegetarian dishes.
- A healthy side packed with fiber and filling nutrients.
- A tasty alternative to standard white rice with a nutty texture.
Ingredients
- Wild rice blend: A packaged wild rice medley works well—choose your preferred brand.
- Water: Use cold clean water in a 1:1 ratio with the rice.
- Salt: A teaspoon or to taste to enhance flavor.
- Avocado oil (optional): A small amount of oil improves texture but can be omitted.
How to Cook a Wild Rice Blend in the Instant Pot
- Add the rice to the insert of your Instant Pot.
- Pour in an equal amount of water.
- Add salt and oil if using, then stir to combine.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing. Cook on manual/high pressure for 27 minutes.
- When cooking finishes, allow a natural pressure release (NPR) for 10–15 minutes. Then move the valve to venting to release remaining steam. Once the pin drops, it’s safe to open the lid.
- Open the lid away from your face and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- The Instant Pot’s “keep warm” function can act as an easy way to track natural pressure release time. When the unit switches to warm, the elapsed time display will count up; once it reaches 10–15 minutes, you can release pressure manually.
- Wild rice blends are widely available at grocery and warehouse stores. Buying larger bags can be more economical.
- To reheat, add a splash of water and warm in the microwave in short intervals or heat gently on the stovetop until warmed through.
Reheating and Storage
Storage: Cool rice to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Freezing: Cool completely, pack into freezer-safe bags or containers, remove excess air, label, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
Reheat: Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between sessions, or reheat on the stovetop with a tablespoon or two of water to restore moisture.
Making Larger or Smaller Batches
Larger batches: Scale all ingredients evenly when making more, but avoid exceeding the pot’s maximum fill line. Rice expands during cooking, so leave extra headspace.
Smaller batches: A 6-quart Instant Pot typically requires at least 1 cup of liquid to reach pressure; an 8-quart model usually needs at least 1½ cups. For a 6-quart pot, you can scale down to 1 cup rice and 1 cup water, but ensure you meet your model’s minimum liquid requirement.
What to Serve with Wild Rice
- Salmon
- Other fish
- Chicken
- Steamed vegetables
- Corn
- Soup or chowder
- Salads
- Autumn additions like dried cranberries, apples, pears, walnuts, or pecans
Frequently Asked Questions
A wild rice blend is a mix of several rice varieties sold together as a medley. The blend is curated so the included grains have similar cooking times and a balanced texture.
Soaking is not necessary for wild rice blends. Because these grains don’t have a tough hull like some whole rices, you can add them directly to the pot with water and cook.
Mushy wild rice usually means it was overcooked or had too much water. Reduce the cooking time or shorten natural pressure release by a few minutes to firm up the texture next time.
Instant Pot Wild Rice Blend (Recipe)
Instant Pot Wild Rice Blend
This Instant Pot wild rice blend is slightly chewy, nutty, and hearty. It pairs well with a wide range of dishes and stands up to robust sauces and proteins.
Equipment
- Instant Pot (6 or 8 quart)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups wild rice blend
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil (optional)
Instructions
- Add the wild rice to the insert of a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot.
- Pour in 1 ½ cups of cool water, add the salt and avocado oil, and stir to combine.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing. Set to manual/high pressure for 27 minutes.
- After cooking, allow the pot to switch to the warm function. Let the rice sit for a 15-minute natural pressure release (NPR), using the elapsed time on warm to track it.
- When NPR is complete, move the valve to venting and release any remaining pressure. Once the pressure pin drops, carefully open the lid away from your face.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, taste, and adjust salt or seasonings if needed.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
Larger batches: Increase all ingredients proportionally, but do not exceed the Instant Pot fill line. Leave extra headspace because rice expands.
Smaller batches: A 6-quart Instant Pot generally needs at least 1 cup of liquid to come to pressure. For a 6-quart pot, you can scale down to 1 cup rice and 1 cup water, but verify your model’s minimum liquid requirements before reducing the recipe.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 149 kcal | Carbohydrates: 30 g | Protein: 6 g | Fat: 1 g | Fiber: 2 g | Sodium: 393 mg
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