This Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf is going to change up dinner. It’s a great base for a bowl or for air fried soy curls and gravy.

Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms and Snow peas and Almonds — Photo by Kristin Teig

Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf is What’s For Dinner Tonight!

Today’s recipe is from The Gluten-Free Instant Pot Cookbook by Jane Bonacci and Sara De Leeuw.

I’m always looking for new inspiration for dinner and beyond. I’m not sure if you already know, but my Doctor took gluten out of my diet last year, so I’m searching for new gluten-free ideas.

While the book is not all vegan they do have some naturally vegan and easily veganizable recipes. Check it out if you can.

Cover of The Gluten-Free Instant Pot Cookbook

What Is Wild Rice?

Wild rice is a different from “regular rice” because it’s an aquatic grass rather than a real rice. It does grow in water like basmati and brown rice.

Brown rice has 30% more calories than wild rice and 40% less protein. That makes me think we should be eating more Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf.

Did you know that corn and wild rice are the only commonly-eaten grains native to North America? You can use that one at your next cocktail party.

Do You Have to Soak Wild Rice Before Cooking In Your Instant Pot?

While some recipe tell you to soak your wild rice, not all of them do.

Soaking cuts down on cooking time, but it can get complicated when it’s mixed with other rices like in this recipe.

You don’t need to soak the rice for this Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf.

What Does Wild Rice Taste Like?

It has an earthy flavor kind of like toasted nuts. You’ll find that it’s chewy like brown rice since both have their outside bran on.

More Instant Pot Side Dishes

You may tend to use your electric pressure cooker for main dishes, soup, or stews, but don’t forget it’s a great place to cook side dishes too.

While you can eat Bean & Veggie Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa as a main dish, it’s perfect as a side too.

Serving Instant Pot Quick Pickled Beets are my favorite way to sneak beets into a meal. It doesn’t hurt that they are delicious too!

If you don’t have any wild rice on hand at the moment try my Vegan Instant Pot Mushroom Dirty Rice. It has lots of flavor and is as easy to make.

Brown and Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms and Snow Peas

Name: Brown and Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms and Snow Peas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil, divided (Kathy says. " water saute to make oil free."); 1 shallot, thinly sliced; 4 ounces snow peas, strings removed, thinly sliced; 6 large mushrooms, sliced; ½ cup dried sweetened cranberries; ¼ cup finely chopped onion; 2 cups brown and wild rice blend; ½ cup gluten-free dry white wine or vegetable stock; 1 cup vegetable stock or water; 1 cup water; ½ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ½ cup sliced almonds

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Jane Bonacci and Sara De Leeuw say: "Full of luscious flavors and textures, this pilaf is substantial enough to be a vegetarian main course, or serve it as a delightful side dish. The cranberries add a pop of fresh, bright flavor in every bite. Commercial rice blends come with a variety of ingredients and variable cooking times. Be sure to check the packaging to see what the recommended cook time is and halve it for this recipe."

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil, divided (Kathy says. " water saute to make oil free.")
1 shallot, thinly sliced
4 ounces snow peas, strings removed, thinly sliced
6 large mushrooms, sliced
½ cup dried sweetened cranberries
¼ cup finely chopped onion
2 cups brown and wild rice blend
½ cup gluten-free dry white wine or vegetable stock
1 cup vegetable stock or water
1 cup water
½ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup sliced almonds

Instructions

Press Sauté on your pressure cooker and add 1 tablespoon of the oil (or water to make oil-free) to the inner pot.

Add the shallots, snow peas, and mushrooms. Cook, stirring often, until the shallots are softened, about 2 minutes.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the vegetables to a bowl. Stir in the cranberries and set aside.

With the pressure cooker still on Sauté, pour the remaining 1 tablespoon oil (or water to make oil-free) in the inner pot. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.

Add the rice and toss to coat each grain with the oil. Add the wine to the pot and scrape the bottom to loosen any browned bits.

Add the stock, water, salt, and pepper, stirring. Close and lock the lid, making sure the steam release handle is in the sealing position.

Cook on high pressure for half the time listed on the rice package, about 20 minutes.

When it is finished, release the pressure naturally, about 12 minutes. Turn the steam release handle to venting, releasing any remaining steam. When the float pin drops, unlock the lid and open it carefully.

Stir in the reserved vegetables and any accumulated juices, replace the lid, and let rest for about 4 minutes.

When the vegetables are reheated, remove the lid and use a fork to fluff the rice and distribute the vegetables evenly.

If there is excess liquid, leave it on Keep Warm or press Sauté (set to low) for a few minutes with the lid off and it will evaporate.

Scoop portions onto plates, sprinkle with the almonds, and serve.

Notes

This recipe is printed with permission from The Gluten-Free Instant Pot Cookbook by Jane Bonacci and Sara De Leeuw. Published by Quarto Publishing Group

Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf