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This savory wild and brown rice pilaf is a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses, such as grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or fish. Feel free to customize it by adding nuts, dried fruits, or your favorite herbs and spices!

If you love rice side dishes as much as I do, check out these recipes too! Classic Rice Pilaf, Instant Pot Yellow Rice, and Instant Pot Garlic Rice.

A serving bowl filled with savory wild and brown rice pilaf with fresh chopped parsley on top.

What is wild rice?

Wild rice is a type of grain that is harvested from certain species of grasses native to North America, particularly the Great Lakes region and areas with freshwater marshes.

Wild rice is actually not rice, it is a marsh grass that looks like rice when it is cooked. It contains high amounts of B vitamins, folic acid, fiber and trace amounts of iron, which makes it a great choice for meat loving Taurus. More on that below.

Characterized by its long, slender grains and distinctive dark brown to black color, wild rice has a chewy texture and a nutty flavor. It’s often used in a variety of dishes, including brown rice pilaf, salads, and stuffing.

Now that you know what wild rice is, you should also try Haley’s rich and creamy Minnesota Wild Rice Soup that’s loaded with veggies and chicken!

Savory wild and brown rice pilaf with fresh chopped parsley on top in a white bowl.

How to make Savory Brown and Wild Rice Pilaf?

This wild rice recipe starts with a bag of Bob’s Mill Wild & Brown Rice mix.

Sauté the onions in oil in a medium sized saucepan until they start to brown.

Add the garlic and stir, then add the wild and brown rice mix.

Brown and wild rice mixed with the sautéed onions.

Stir in the spinach leaves.

Fresh spinach on top of the brown and wild rice mixture in a saucepan.

Cook for and additional two minutes. Pour in the broth and water.

Savory Wild and Brown Rice Pilaf broth cookingwithcurls.com

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.

Savory Wild and Brown Rice Pilaf cover cookingwithcurls.com

Fluff rice with a fork, and stir in the parsley.

Savory Wild and Brown Rice parsley cookingwithcurls.com

This brown rice pilaf is the perfect side dish to serve with your favorite steak, chicken, or seafood recipes.

FAQ’s

What can I substitute for vegetable broth?

You can use additional water, but using vegetable or chicken broth adds extra flavor.

How can I add more flavor to the pilaf?

Experiment with herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, cumin, or paprika. You can also add a splash of lemon juice or zest for a citrusy kick.

Can I make this savory rice recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pilaf in advance and reheat it before serving. Allow to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How do I know when the rice is done cooking?

The rice is done when it’s tender and has absorbed the liquid. Taste a few grains to ensure they are cooked to your liking.

Recipe inspiration

Welcome to this month’s Cooking with Astrology “Taurus”. I am so glad that you are here to help me celebrate my favorite sign, because it is my sign!!

Taurus is the sign that rules the Thyroid, a gland which controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body is to other hormones.

The character traits of a Taurus are cautious, determined, gracious, harmonious, masterful, and sensual. Sounds about right. A Taurus must feel comfortable in their surroundings, and need to feel secure to be at happy.

So who am I sharing my imaginary Taurus meal with? George Clooney of course!

He’s a big goofball! Could you imagine a meal with George Clooney? It would be an insane night full of laughing, great food, and lots of Limoncello! Speaking of Limoncello, let’s discuss this fabulous meal.

Beef tenderloin topped with a shrimp and mushroom sauce on a square serving plate.

I am doing things a bit different this month. I decided to skip the appetizer/salad/soup and just plan one great meal, that starts with this delicious Savory Wild and Brown Rice Pilaf.

It is the perfect side to serve with this amazing Beef Tenderloin with Shrimp and Mushroom Sauce. To finish off the meal we have this delicious dairy-free Limoncello Tiramisu Ice Cream.

Don’t leave yet, we have these delectable Blackberry Ginger Chocolate Chip Muffins for breakfast. So yummy!

It should come as no surprise, that this is one of my absolute favorite Cooking with Astrology meals!!

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it!
Tag @cookingwithcurls on Instagram & Facebook and leave a ⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐ review below!

Enjoy!!