Wild Rice, Almond and Mushroom Stuffing Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Wild Rice, Almond and Mushroom Stuffing Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 45 minutes
Rating
4(300)
Notes
Read community notes

Wild rice can be the base of a satisfying and refined Thanksgiving stuffing, particularly when it is combined with mushrooms, almonds, sherry and herbs, as it is here. Use this savory mixture to stuff a turkey to serve to the omnivores at your table, or bake it separately and serve it as a side dish, one that is especially good for vegetarians and vegans.

Featured in: Healthy Thanksgiving Favorites

Learn: How to Cook a Turkey

Learn: How to Make Stuffing

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Ingredients

Yield:Stuffing for a 14- to 18-pound turkey

  • 1½quarts chicken stock, turkey stock or vegetable stock
  • 2cups wild rice
  • Salt to taste
  • 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1large onion or 4 shallots, chopped
  • 4garlic cloves, minced
  • Âľpound mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
  • 1cup chopped celery
  • â…“cup toasted almonds, coarsely chopped
  • â…“cup dry sherry
  • 2teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 to 2tablespoons chopped fresh sage, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (10 servings)

245 calories; 8 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 35 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 11 grams protein; 565 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Wild Rice, Almond and Mushroom Stuffing Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Bring stock to a boil in a large saucepan, then add wild rice and salt to taste. When the liquid returns to the boil, lower heat, cover and simmer 40 minutes, until rice is tender and has begun to splay. Drain through a strainer, and set aside.

  2. Step

    2

    Heat oil over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet, then add onion or shallots. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about five minutes for onions or three minutes for shallots. Add a generous pinch of salt and the garlic. Cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add mushrooms and celery and cook, stirring, until mushrooms have softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in rice and remaining ingredients. Cook, stirring, until sherry has evaporated. Taste and adjust seasonings.

  3. Step

    3

    Remove from the heat, and allow to cool before stuffing your turkey. Or place in an oiled baking dish and cover, then warm for 20 to 30 minutes in a 350-degree oven.

Tip

  • You can make this pilaf a day or two ahead and keep it in the refrigerator.

Ratings

4

out of 5

300

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Stargazer, Napa Valley

I've made a similar recipe for years mixing wild and brown rice. However, I like the texture better with a mix of rice grains.

Last year, I tried wild rice and black pearl rice in equal quantities. They both require the same liquid ratios and cooking time but it was the flavor boost that came from the black pearl rice that was outstanding!
Happy Turkey Day!

Nancy

I loved this recipe. I didn't use it as a stuffing, but as a side course. I used half Wild Rice and half Black Thai Rice because I didn't have enough of the former. It was so good that this side course could have been the whole meal as far as I am concerned. The only thing I would add is that when you drain the rice, you should save the water that the rice was cooked in. It makes such a fabulous, intense broth that you're halfway to another meal.

Cait

I used a wild rice blend--mostly brown rice, a little wild--and it was delicious. I would use a little wild rice (or other interesting rice) for flavor, but otherwise use what you have.

Gisela S.

It is a wonderful recipe! It tastes amazingly! We followed the recipe and it was a big hit at Thanksgiving dinner. Leftovers were delicious next day at room temperature. Kids liked it too.

Vella

I have another copy of this recipe by Martha Rose Shulman and it calls for adding soy sauce to the cooking vegetables which I think improves the flavor. I make this as a side dish by doubling the amount of vegetables with a mix of white and cremini/baby bella, rather than as a rice stuffing.

Chris M.

This is wonderful! I used wild rice and black rice together. It used up all the liquid. Made a day ahead then reheated for Thanksgiving dinner. Heating it up was OK....but it is pretty wonderful cold, just out of the refrigerator. (All that and I forgot to put the almonds in. But still very tasty.)

Lucy S

We have made this several years in a row as a side dish since we spatchco*ck our turkey. Though this dish takes some time to make, it’s worth it for two reasons: 1) it’s delicious with the turkey and 2) it’s great as part of a thanksgiving leftover soup using turkey stock, turkey, and this rice. Combined with some half and half and Trader Joe’s Thai style green chili sauce (similar to Nam Prik Noom), it’s a quick and yummy use of leftovers with a slightly surprising twist from the Thai sauce

Cheryl

Made half amount for a side dish. Used all brown rice. Skipped sage. Added a squeeze of a lemon wedge. Used shiitake mushrooms. Served with fish. YUM!!!

Karen

Flavorful gluten free and dairy free stuffing (can be made vegan) for those guests who cannot or do not want to indulge in traditional stuffing. All guests went back for seconds on this dish! This will be a staple on my Thanksgiving table for years to come.

PEB

Delicious with currants and raw carrot, orange zest and toasted pecans in place of almonds. Used as a side to roasted buttermilk chicken and roasted vegetables...delish

Kim

Super flavorful! Next time will try a mix of brown and wild rice, as others have suggested.

LaSalt

Made this for Thanksgiving using a wild rice blend from Lundberg, no nuts, water, and white wine instead of sherry outside the bird. Excellent and even better the next day.

Amy Crockett

Hello. I’m trying to find something to stuff into acorn squash for my vegetarian daughter? This recipe looks like it could work. Any thoughts? Thanks

trowe2

I substituted a large leek for the onion and used half black rice. I was generous with the herbs and used them to garnish the dish along with chopped scallions. This was a big hit, with nicely contrasted textures and flavors.

olivia

Just finished making this for our thanxgiving and it's delish. Did have to sub a hearty chardonnay for the sherry and pecans for the almonds, but figure those were fairly benign tweaks. Sure hope it lasts til tomorrow night!

Es

I used half wild rice and half black rice. While it tasted wonderful, the black rice obscured the wild rice and I considered it a waste of (expensive) wild rice. Next time I'll stick with the wild rice or try wild with white rice. I served it as a side to a roast chicken and the dish was delicious and it's always a plus when it can be finished ahead of time and kept warm.

Tom

I've made a similar recipe for years mixing wild and brown rice. However, I like the texture better with a mix of rice grains.

Rosie

Made this for Thanksgiving yesterday and it was very good. Followed the recipe as written but I served at room temperature as I don't think it needed to be heated.

Nancy

I loved this recipe. I didn't use it as a stuffing, but as a side course. I used half Wild Rice and half Black Thai Rice because I didn't have enough of the former. It was so good that this side course could have been the whole meal as far as I am concerned. The only thing I would add is that when you drain the rice, you should save the water that the rice was cooked in. It makes such a fabulous, intense broth that you're halfway to another meal.

Cypridopsis

Made is "less healthy" with the addition of bulk stuffing sausage.
Also used 5 kinds of muchrooms: 2 fresh and 3 dried. Soaked the dried mushrooms in brandy so used it rather than dry sherry.
BTW, if you use hand harvested non-commercial wild rice available from some Native American vendors, it cooks up in very short time, about 20 minutes. They will cook evenly AND do not splay so much even when tender. Cooked the rice in turkey broth.

Vella

I have another copy of this recipe by Martha Rose Shulman and it calls for adding soy sauce to the cooking vegetables which I think improves the flavor. I make this as a side dish by doubling the amount of vegetables with a mix of white and cremini/baby bella, rather than as a rice stuffing.

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Wild Rice, Almond and Mushroom Stuffing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is wild rice so expensive? ›

Because of its unique harvesting needs (learn more about it here), wild rice is significantly more expensive than brown rice. In fact, it's one of the most expensive grains. In Washington State, as of January 2023, wild rice costs $5.16 per pound and brown rice costs 80 cents a pound.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

It's a matter of preference, but adding a beaten egg to your stuffing mixture acts as a binder and keeps the bread moist.

How much water do I need for 2 cups of wild rice? ›

đź“– Instructions

The ratio of liquid to wild rice for cooking it on the stovetop is 3 cups to 1 cup. Add your water to a large sauce pot, and bring it to a boil, over high heat. Rinse your uncooked wild rice grains with cool, clean water. This removes any dust or debris that has settled in storage.

Why do you put eggs in stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency.

Is wild rice actually healthier? ›

It's higher in protein than regular rice and contains several important nutrients and an impressive amount of antioxidants. What's more, eating wild rice regularly may improve heart health and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Is it OK to eat wild rice everyday? ›

As with any food, it's a good idea to consume wild rice in moderation. Depending on your recipe, a single serving will be approximately one quarter to one third of a cup of uncooked grains.

What makes stuffing unhealthy? ›

Stuffing is not strictly a healthy food, because it is typically high in calories, fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates. 1 But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it, All foods can fit into a healthy diet in moderation.

What is the best bread to use for stuffing? ›

Sourdough, Italian, and white bread are standard choices for stuffing; however, journeying beyond your comfort zone can produce excellent results.

Is it better to make stuffing with fresh or dry bread? ›

Any attempts to make stuffing with soft, fresh baked bread will result in a bread soup with a soggy texture. Follow this tip: Stale, dried-out bread makes the best stuffing.

Should you rinse wild rice? ›

Just like with any other type of rice, it's a good idea to rinse the rice before cooking. Pour a cup of wild rice into a mesh sieve and give it a good rinse. This will rid the rice of any starch that's lingering on the outside of the grain.

How many people does 1 cup of wild rice feed? ›

1 cup uncooked wild rice = 3–4 cups cooked wild rice… that's 6-8 servings from just one cup uncooked wild rice!

Do you have to soak wild rice overnight? ›

Soaking Wild Rice is optional unlike other grains and seeds that should generally be soaked to reduce phytic acid. This is because during the finishing process like any other Real Wild Rice it is parched over Wood Fire to help remove the hull.

Why is there a wild rice shortage? ›

But climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels is bringing more rain and flooding to Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, making harvests of wild rice less reliable. For more than 70 years there was virtually no rice, and very little waterfowl and wildlife on Ogechie Lake.

Why is wild rice more expensive than white rice? ›

Wild rice is a type of grass. At one time it was only cultivated by Native Americans in the upper Midwest. Really not farmed but harvested where it grew. Expensive!

Is wild rice more expensive? ›

Hand-harvested from lakes and rivers, true wild rice can be very expensive, up to $25 to $30 per pound. Cultivated “wild” rice costs roughly half that and is often blended with other rices to make it even more affordable.

What is special about wild rice? ›

Wild rice is actually a seed from marsh grass generally not polished or refined, so the seed is eaten in its maximum nutritional state. It is great for grain-free diets, offering an option for diabetics and other special diets as well. Instead of acid-forming like most grains, wild rice is alkaline-forming.

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