The natives in North America and China have been harvesting and eating wild rice since ancient times.
In modern times, wild rice has become popular in different regions as chefs, and home cooks are curious and like to experiment with new ingredients.
Wild rice is related to domesticated rice but not directly, as both are different species.
However, you can cook wild rice the same way as ordinary rice.
Wild rice is also a versatile ingredient and compatible with many other foods.
So, what to serve with wild rice? If you're looking for some ideas, don't go elsewhere because we will list the ten best dishes you can serve with wild rice.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Wild Rice?
Wild rice may not be exactly like typical rice, but they have similar qualities.
Hence, as with rice, you require suitable side dishes to make a complete meal.
Besides, it can't be that fun to eat rice on its own.
Wild rice's flavor enhances when you add extra items like soup, salad, sauteed veggies, curry, and more.
If wild rice is a dish on your menu for dinner or a party, you will have to serve some side dishes to keep the crowd interested.
What to Serve with Wild Rice? 10 BEST Side Dishes
You can have multiple items with wild rice, and the following are the ten best and most popular dishes.
1. Beef Stew
A protein dish served with wild rice can be the complete meal you're looking for, and we can't think of anything better than beef stew.
You can pour the stew on the rice or enjoy them side by side.
Beef stew is rich and hearty, so it will fill you and please your senses.
Beef stew takes a while to cook, but the dish itself isn't hard to make.
You also don't need many ingredients besides the meat except for some spices, veggies, broth, and flour (for thickening).
However, choose the proper cut of meat for the best results.
Lean cuts of meat, such as chuck or shoulder cuts, are best for stew.
2. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Imagine bell pepper stuffed with ground turkey meat, cheese, seasoning, and herbs and biting into one; it's sure to arouse your senses.
The dish is also compatible with wild rice, and you can enjoy them together.
It also doesn't take much time to cook the dish, so that you can whip up a large batch at a time, depending on the number of people.
You can use the leftover stuffing for the dish or make a fresh one with shredded turkey, mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, and eggs.
If turkey meat isn't available, you can also use chicken or other meat.
3. Spicy Green Beans
Wild rice also clicks pretty nicely with veggie dishes.
Spicy green beans are one of the items you can serve with wild rice.
The combination isn't only excellent, but it completes the meal.
Spicy green beans are Chinese inspired dish, and it's immensely flavorful.
The dish looks like it has been deep fried but cooked in high heat.
Even though spicy green beans are delicious, the dish doesn't require numerous ingredients.
But a few of them blend perfectly and make the veggie shine.
Green beans taste best when fresh so cook them immediately.
But if you bought them in advance, store them in the refrigerator and use them within seven days.
4. Lemon Herb Chicken Salad
Any rice variety is compatible with so adding a chicken dish, so adding a chicken dish to your menu will be a good idea.
It will complement the wild rice nicely.
Herby chicken salad with lemon wedges is a delicious, unique, and fresh dish that's also quite popular.
The salad contains veggies, fruits, meat, and spices, making it the perfect salad.
Romaine lettuce is a vital ingredient in the dish, along with chicken, avocado, cucumber, and tomato.
The greens taste best when fresh.
So, you must avoid lettuce with wilted or dried leaves and store them in the crisper drawer wrapped in paper towels.
5. Cauliflower Potato Soup
A hearty soup is also a fine accompaniment to wild rice.
The meal will make you full, and you will also get to experience the flavors.
Cauliflower potato soup is creamy, hearty, rich, and popular.
The yummy soup will be an ideal side dish if you include wild rice on your menu for an event.
Potato and cauliflower are the main ingredients in the dish, along with shredded cheddar, evaporated milk, and broth (veggie of chicken).
Other items include yellow and green onion, olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
For this dish, you should use russet potatoes.
6. Creamy Mac and Cheese
It does look like an odd combo, but you can serve mac and cheese alongside wild rice.
Creamy mac and cheese is all-time favorite comfort food, and everyone loves the dish.
Hence when you serve the two dishes together, everyone will have a lovely time with the food.
Besides, even though the dish is delicious, it isn't difficult to cook.
To make the perfect mac and cheese, you must keep a few points in mind.
First, cook the pasta perfectly (al dente), or your dish will get ruined.
Secondly, add two kinds of cheese; you can use mozzarella and Gruyère.
7. Fish Stew
Since you're adding different proteins, serving the fish stew with wild rice will also enhance and complete your meal.
Fish is also delicious and easy to prepare, so that you can cook the stew in a short while.
You have many choices for the stew, but firm white fish is considered the best option.
Hence you can select whichever is available.
The best are:
- Sea bass.
- Red snapper.
- Halibut.
- Carp.
- Cod.
- Grouper .
- Tilapia .
You can use any of the above to make fish stew.
Add veggies, spices, fresh herbs, salt, and sauces to make the heartiest and tastiest fish stew.
8. Chickpea Spinach Salad
If your aim is to enjoy the flavors and fill up your belly, chickpea spinach salad is also a great side dish to have with wild rice.
The salad is nutritious and delicious, and you can make it quickly.
You can use canned chickpeas rinsed and drained or a dry variety that's soaked and cooked.
You can use the other ingredients of your preference, considering what you prefer.
Spinach, feta cheese, raisins, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, salt, and chili flakes make the salad wonderful.
9. Chicken Curry
Give your menu an Indian feel by adding a chicken curry.
It complements wild rice perfectly and will also keep you full.
Besides, Indian food is gaining popularity, so your guests will be pleased.
Spices make all the difference when cooking chicken curry, so keeping that aspect in mind is vital.
You have to use the exact quantity of each spice and avoid any item not included in the recipe.
However, you can substitute spice for a similar one if you don't have it and the recipe asks for it.
While you can use any chicken part for the curry, the boneless breast is ideal.
10. Stir-Fried Veggies
Finally, we have stirred fry veggies to serve alongside wild rice.
The veggies are delicious, versatile, and nutritious.
It's also easy to make stir fries as it doesn't consume much time.
Besides, you can make the dish with only one or two veggies.
But if you have more, there isn't any rule that says you can't use them.
You can use various veggies such as peas, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, and potatoes.
Use green onions and sesame seeds as garnish.
For the sauce, use chicken broth, sesame oil, cornstarch, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic.
