Mushroom Wild Rice
A hearty mushroom wild rice dish featuring tender rice, savory bacon, and flavorful vegetables, perfect for comforting family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 4 c water ⓘ
- 1 c uncooked wild rice ⓘ
- 1 t butter or margarine
- 1-1/2 t salt ⓘ
- 1/2 c uncooked brown rice ⓘ
- 8 bacon strips ⓘ
- 2 c sliced fresh mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 large onion ⓘ
- 1 medium green pepper ⓘ
- 1 medium red pepper ⓘ
- 1 celery rib ⓘ
- 1-14 1/2 oz can beef broth ⓘ
- 2 T cornstarch ⓘ
- 1/4 c cold water ⓘ
- 1/2 c slivered almonds ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, bring water, wild rice, butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil.
- Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Stir in brown rice, cover, and simmer for an additional 25-30 minutes until rice is tender.
- While rice is cooking, brown bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove bacon and drain, leaving 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the pan.
- Saute the mushrooms, onions, green pepper, red pepper, and celery in the bacon drippings until tender.
- Stir in beef broth and remaining salt, bring mixture to a boil.
- Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth, then stir into the mushroom mixture.
- Cook for 2 minutes until thickened, then stir in almonds and bacon pieces.
- Drain the rice and add the mushroom mixture to the rice, stirring well to combine.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider using homemade beef broth instead of canned. If you want a vegetarian option, substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth and omit the bacon. You can also add additional vegetables like carrots or peas for extra nutrition and color. To cut cooking time, use pre-cooked wild rice.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Mushroom Wild Rice as a hearty main dish or as a side complementing grilled meats or roasted vegetables. It pairs beautifully with Mini Smoked Beef And Cheese Sandwich or Beef Toastwich for a complete meal. Garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme for added freshness.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to keep the dish moist and microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. This dish also freezes well; just be sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mushroom Wild Rice contains roughly 1854 calories, with 67g protein, 121g carbohydrates, and 135g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (134% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (130% of the Daily Value), and iron (64% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2351mg per serving (102% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of rice in this recipe?
While wild rice is traditional, you can experiment with other rice types like jasmine or basmati. However, adjust the cooking time accordingly, as different rice varieties have different cooking requirements. Mixing different rice types can also create an interesting texture and flavor profile.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make this Mushroom Wild Rice gluten-free, ensure that the beef broth you use is labeled gluten-free, as some brands may contain gluten. Also, replace the cornstarch with a gluten-free thickening agent if needed. This way, you can enjoy a delicious meal without gluten concerns.
Can I add protein to this dish?
Absolutely! You can incorporate cooked chicken, turkey, or even tofu for a vegetarian protein source. If you're adding meat, sauté it along with the vegetables or mix it in after combining the mushroom mixture with the rice, ensuring everything is heated through.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).