Wild Rice Stuffing combines the earthy flavor of wild rice with crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a mix of herbs and spices, creating a flavorful and satisfying side dish. It is definitely going to be added to my Thanksgiving menu this year! (By the way, do you know what day Thanksgiving is this year?) Technically, this may not be a stuffing, since it’s not intended to be stuffed in a turkey. But, as a Midwesterner, I’m used to calling it a stuffing. Whether you call it a stuffing or a dressing, one thing we can all agree on–it’s delicious! If you’re looking for another stuffing option, my Sausage Stuffing is another great choice.
Customize Your Wild Rice Stuffing: Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
- Rice: If you are from the Midwest, you are probably familiar with wild rice recipes from chicken wild rice soup to chicken wild rice casserole to my other wild rice dressing (made with ground pork). Did you know that wild rice is not rice? It is actually a grain that is found in the seed of an aquatic plant that grows in streams, rivers, and lakes! I think that is kind of a fun fact! Anyway, when using wild rice, rinse and drain it before cooking. If you are not a fan of wild rice, you can substitute it with brown rice or quinoa, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.
- Chicken Broth: If you don’t have chicken broth, vegetable broth or chicken stock would be good substitutions.
- Bacon: I love using thick-cut bacon so it doesn’t get ‘lost’ in the other ingredients. But, you can use bacon you have on hand, even turkey bacon. After cooking the bacon, leave some of the grease in the skillet to cook the vegetables. If you are not a fan of bacon, leave it out! The stuffing will still be delicious.
- Vegetables: I added onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. But, you can certainly customize the stuffing with your favorite vegetables. I think bell peppers, zucchini, sweet potatoes, and green beans would all be good. If using different vegetables, adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Herbs & Spices: Sage and thyme complement each other and give the stuffing that ‘earthy flavor’. If using fresh sage and fresh thyme (instead of dried), use about a tablespoon of each.
- Nuts & Fruit: Walnuts add a nutty crunch while the dried cranberries add a sweet-tart flavor. It’s easy to use your favorite nuts and dried fruits that you have available. If you leave out the nuts altogether, add more vegetables or cheese.
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese gives the stuffing a cheesy finish. Pecorino Romano would also be good. Or, leave it out, if preferred.
Make Ahead Wild Rice Stuffing
I know how crazy the holidays can be as well as weeknight dinners, and this recipe would work for both! So, here are some make-ahead options for wild rice stuffing so it is ready to go when you are:
Cook Wild Rice: Prepare rice up to 2 days in advance. Cool and store in the refrigerator.
Prep Vegetables: Chop and store veggies up to 2 days ahead. Cook and store separately if preferred.
Cook Bacon: Cook bacon and store it in the refrigerator. Keep bacon grease for added flavor.
Assemble: Mix cooked rice, veggies, and bacon up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate.
Reheat: Combine all ingredients, including the nuts and cranberries, in a large skillet. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Storing & Reheating Stuffing
To Store Stuffing: To store wild rice stuffing, first, let it cool to room temperature. Next, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To Reheat Stuffing: To reheat the stuffing, put it into a large skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Cover and heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through. I sometimes have to add a little chicken broth or water to keep it from drying out. A microwave would work, too.
Can I Freeze Wild Rice Stuffing?
Yes! I like to freeze it in portions for when I am craving just a little bit (or a lot)! To freeze the stuffing, first, let it cool completely. Next, place the stuffing in freezer-safe containers. Label and date the containers; it will last up to 1-2 months. When ready to serve or enjoy, let the stuffing thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Wild Rice Stuffing
Ingredients
Rice
- 1 ½ cups (240 g) wild rice blend, rinsed, drained
- 3 cups (24 ounces / 720 g) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Stuffing
- 5 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup (117 g) walnuts, chopped
- ½ cup (55 g) dried cranberries
- ¼ cup (25 g) parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
Rice
- To a large saucepan over medium heat, add rice, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 40-45 minutes, or until rice is cooked through. Remove from heat. Let steam for 10 minutes.
- While the rice is cooking, continue with the recipe.
Stuffing
- To a large skillet over medium heat, add bacon. Cook until crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the pan and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan and discard the rest.
- To the grease in the skillet, add onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Stir to combine. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add garlic, sage, and thyme. Cook for 1 more minute.
- Turn off the heat. Add the rice, bacon, walnuts, cranberries, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine.
- Serve warm.
Video
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This stuffing, dressing, or whatever you want to call it is incredible! I will be making this for more than just the holidays!
Elizabeth
I loved this stuffing! I heated up a bowl of it for my lunch and it was delicious reheated, too! The only thing I needed to add was a little salt (but that is just me).
Annabelle
I really liked this! The wild rice has a great texture and the blend of bacon, vegetables, and mushrooms makes it very flavorful.
Bella
This wild rice stuffing is fantastic! The wild rice blend cooks up beautifully and absorbs all the savory flavors from the bacon and vegetables. I think this would complement any main dish.
Selena
This wild rice stuffing is wonderful! The rice is perfectly cooked and the stuffing is packed with flavorful ingredients like bacon, mushrooms, and herbs. The dried cranberries and walnuts add a lovely texture and taste. It’s a great side dish that’s both hearty and delicious.
