What to Eat with Wild Rice – 16 Amazing Side Dish Ideas

The best thing about wild rice is that it can be served with pretty much anything. But if you’re struggling to find good sides to serve with it, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.

The truth is, it can be a challenge to find good sides for wild rice online. A lot of the recipes I found were either too complicated or didn’t sound that great. That’s why I decided to share a list of 16 delicious side dishes that go great with wild rice.

All of these recipes are from trustworthy sources, like Pinterest, and have been tried and tested by me or someone I know. So whether you’re looking for something simple or something a little more complicated, I’m sure you’ll find a recipe here that you’ll love.

So what are you waiting for? Start browsing through for some inspiration!

Side Dishes For Wild-Rice

1. Spicy green beans
2. Mexican quinoa
3. Mashed potatoes
4. Stuffed peppers
5. Creamy mac & cheese
6. Cheesy broccoli casserole
7. Soup or chowder
8. Green bean casserole
9. Lemon garlic roast chicken
10. Garlic roasted vegetables
11. Celery
12. Shaved Brussel sprouts
13. Roasted/grilled turkey
14. Smoked salmon
15. Beetroot salad
16. Beef Tenderloin roast

Spicy green beans

The ingredients in spicy green beans go well with the flavor of wild rice. They also add flavor to the wild rice.

The savoriness of the green beans goes well with the nutty flavor of the wild rice.

When you cook spicy green beans, they release their juices which help to moisturize the wild rice and keep it from drying out.

Quick Recipe: Spicy Green Beans

• Ingredients: Green beans, chili flakes, garlic, olive oil
• Cooking Time: 10 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
  2. Add green beans and chili flakes.
  3. Cook until beans are tender but still crisp

Mexican quinoa

This is a great side dish for wild rice because it has a lot of the same flavors. The spices in the quinoa will enhance the flavor of the wild rice.

The quinoa will also add a different texture to the dish, which can help to break up the monotony of eating wild rice.

Mexican quinoa is a great side dish for wild rice because it is filling and will help to stretch the meal.

Quick Recipe: Mexican Quinoa

• Ingredients: Quinoa, black beans, corn, spices (cumin, paprika)
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
  2. Mix in black beans, corn, and spices.
  3. Serve warm.

Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that goes well with almost anything. The creamy texture of the mashed potatoes will contrast well with the chewy texture of the wild rice.

To give your mashed potato extra flavor, you can add garlic, cheese, or sour cream. All of these flavors will go well with wild rice.

If you want a lighter mashed potato, you can use skim milk or chicken broth instead of cream or whole milk.

Quick Recipe: Mashed Potatoes

• Ingredients: Potatoes, milk, butter, salt
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Boil peeled potatoes until tender.
  2. Mash with milk, butter, and salt.
  3. Serve warm.

Stuffed peppers

Stuffed peppers add flavor and color to the dish, with the wild rice providing the right contrast to the stuffed pepper.

You can stuff your peppers with any of the following, depending on what you have on hand:

• ground beef
• sausage
• veggies
• cheeses

All of these ingredients will go well with wild rice and help to create a filling, satisfying meal.

Quick Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

• Ingredients: Bell peppers, ground beef, rice, cheese
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Hollow out bell peppers.
  2. Stuff with a mixture of cooked ground beef, rice, and cheese.
  3. Bake until peppers are tender.

Creamy mac & cheese

This is another classic side dish that goes well with stuffed peppers.

The creamy sauce in the mac & cheese will help to balance out the nutty and earthy flavor of the rice. In addition, the crispy breadcrumbs add a nice bit of texture.

Finally, this dish can be tailored to any individual’s taste, and it will still be a hit! For example, I like to add bacon or diced tomatoes to the mac and cheese before baking.

Quick Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

• Ingredients: Bell peppers, ground beef, rice, cheese
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Hollow out bell peppers.
  2. Stuff with a mixture of cooked ground beef, rice, and cheese.
  3. Bake until peppers are tender.

Cheesy broccoli casserole

Casseroles of any kind are my favorite thing to prepare for Sunday lunch. I got the recipe for cheesy broccoli casserole from my mum, and I haven’t looked back ever since.

This dish is the perfect side for wild rice because it has all the classic flavors of comfort food. The cheesy sauce and the tender broccoli go so well together, and the crispy breadcrumbs on top are the icing on the cake.

If you want to make this dish even more indulgent, I recommend you use a cheese like Gruyere or Cheddar.

Quick Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

• Ingredients: Broccoli, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Steam broccoli until tender.
  2. Mix with cheddar cheese and place in a baking dish.
  3. Top with breadcrumbs and bake until golden.

Soup or chowder

There’s nothing better than a bowl of warm soup on a cold day. When I’m looking for the perfect side dish for wild rice, I usually turn to soup or chowder.

The hearty flavors of the soup will complement the nutty flavor of the wild rice, and the soup will help to keep the rice from drying out.

There are so many different soups that would go well with wild rice, but my personal favorite is mushroom soup. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms go so well with the earthy flavor of the rice.

Quick Recipe: Soup or Chowder

• Ingredients: Varies (e.g., chicken, vegetables, broth)
• Cooking Time: 40 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Sauté base ingredients like onions and garlic.
  2. Add main ingredients and broth.
  3. Simmer until flavors meld.

Green bean casserole

This is a great side dish for wild rice because it is nutritious and flavorful.

The green beans in the casserole are a good source of vitamins and minerals, and they add flavor and color to the dish. In addition, the creamy sauce and the crispy onions on top help to balance out the flavors.

This dish can be made ahead of time, which is always a bonus in my book.

Quick Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

• Ingredients: Green beans, mushroom soup, fried onions, cheese
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Mix green beans and mushroom soup in a baking dish.
  2. Top with fried onions and cheese.
  3. Bake until bubbly.

Lemon garlic roasted chicken

This is a flavor-packed accompaniment to wild rice. The lemon gives the chicken a fresh and tangy flavor, while the garlic takes it up a notch with its pungent flavor.

When the chicken is roasted to perfection, it has a nice crispy skin that pairs well with the smoothness of the wild rice.

This dish is perfect for a family dinner because it is so easy to prepare, and everyone will love it.

Quick Recipe: Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken

• Ingredients: Chicken, lemon, garlic, herbs
• Cooking Time: 1 hour
• Instructions:
  1. Marinate chicken with lemon, garlic, and herbs.
  2. Roast until golden and cooked through.

Garlic roasted vegetables

This is a great side dish for wild rice because it is healthy and flavorful.

Some great ideas for vegetables are : broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, potatoes

All of these vegetables taste great when they are roasted with garlic. They add flavor and color to the dish, and they are a good source of vitamins and minerals.

For the dressing, you can use a simple vinaigrette or something more elaborate, like a balsamic glaze.

Quick Recipe: Garlic Roasted Vegetables

• Ingredients: Assorted vegetables (e.g., carrots, broccoli), garlic, olive oil
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Toss vegetables and garlic in olive oil.
  2. Roast until tender.

Celery

The crunch of celery is a great contrast to the creaminess of wild rice. Additionally, the coolness of celery offsets the spices in the rice.

Celery is a great way to add crunch and texture to any dish, and it’s a healthy option too!

There are so many different ways to prepare celery, but my favorite is to simply chop it up and add it to salads. However, with wild rice, I use it as a layer over the dish.

Finally, celery can be eaten raw or cooked, so how you serve it is totally up to you.

Quick Recipe: Celery Salad

• Ingredients: Celery, lemon juice, olive oil, salt
• Cooking Time: 10 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Slice celery thinly.
  2. Toss with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.

Shaved Brussel sprouts

It’s quite easy to shave Brussel sprouts, and they make for a great side dish. When shaved, they have a delicate texture that pairs well with the creaminess of wild rice.

The shaved Brussel sprouts add texture and flavor to the dish, while the wild rice provides a filling and satisfying side. This dish is perfect for any occasion.

For an interesting twist to this dish, you can add bacon or pancetta.

Quick Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts

• Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, pepper
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Shave Brussels sprouts thinly.
  2. Sauté in olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Roasted/grilled Turkey

This is a great option for those who are looking for a leaner protein. Turkey is lean meat that is full of flavor. When roasted or grilled, it pairs well with the nutty flavor of wild rice.

The best way to roast turkey is to season it with your favorite spices. I like to use a combination of thyme, sage, and rosemary. Then, you’ll want to roast the turkey until it is golden brown and cooked through.

You could include a dipping sauce on the side like cranberry sauce or gravy.

Quick Recipe: Roasted/Grilled Turkey

• Ingredients: Turkey, herbs (e.g., thyme, rosemary), olive oil
• Cooking Time: Varies based on size
• Instructions:
  1. Marinate turkey with herbs and olive oil.
  2. Roast or grill until cooked through.

Smoked salmon

Salmon is a delicate fish, with a delicate taste that fits with the savory rich flavor of wild rice.

Smoked salmon is also a healthy choice, as it is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. When combined, these two ingredients make a great side dish that is nutritious and flavorful.

There are many ways to prepare smoked salmon, but my favorite is to simply slice it thinly and serve it over rice. You could also add some capers or lemon juice to brighten up the flavors.

Quick Recipe: Smoked Salmon

• Ingredients: Smoked salmon, capers, lemon juice
• Cooking Time: 5 minutes (assembly)
• Instructions:
  1. Arrange smoked salmon slices on a plate.
  2. Garnish with capers and a drizzle of lemon juice.

Beetroot salad

Beetroot salad is a great side dish for wild rice. The main ingredients in beetroot salad are beets, vinegar, oil, and sugar.

The beets add a sweet flavor to the dish, while the vinegar and sugar help to balance out the sweetness. The oil helps to give the salad a rich texture.

The flavors of the Beetroot salad go well with the nutty flavor of wild rice. Furthermore, the rice soaks up the extra juices from the salad.

When eaten together, the two dishes create a balance of flavors that is both delicious and nutritious.

Quick Recipe: Beetroot Salad

• Ingredients: Beets, vinegar, olive oil, salt, sugar
• Cooking Time: 1 hour (for roasting beets)
• Instructions:
  1. Roast beets until tender.
  2. Peel and slice.
  3. Toss in a vinaigrette made from vinegar, olive oil, salt, and sugar.

Beef Tenderloin roast

Beef tenderloin is a cut of beef that comes from the loin. It is a tender and juicy cut of meat, and it is perfect for roasting.

The beef tenderloin roast is a great choice for a special occasion, as it is a luxurious and elegant dish. In addition, the roast is easy to prepare, and it pairs well with wild rice.

To prepare, you’ll need to season it with your favorite spices. I like to use a combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then, you’ll want to roast the beef until it is cooked through.

The addition of beef tenderloin will upgrade your wild rice from great to amazing!

Quick Recipe: Beef Tenderloin Roast

• Ingredients: Beef tenderloin, salt, black pepper, garlic powder
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Instructions:
  1. Season beef with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Roast until desired doneness is reached.

FAQ

What does wild rice go good with?

There are many different dishes that wild rice goes well with. Some of our favorites include celery, shaved Brussel sprouts, roasted turkey, smoked salmon, and beetroot salad.

What is the best way to cook wild rice?

The best way to cook wild rice is to simmer it in water or broth until it is tender. This process usually takes about 30-45 minutes.

Is wild rice healthy to eat?

Yes, wild rice is a healthy food choice. It is a good source of fiber and protein, and it is low in calories.

Conclusion

Wild rice is a nutritious and delicious food that can be enjoyed in many different ways. I hope that this article has given you some ideas on what to serve with wild rice. Enjoy!

What are some other side dishes you would recommend serving with wild rice?