Instant Pot Wild Rice Blend

Wild Rice Blend

Wild Rice Blend is a blend of different types of rice mixed together with wild rice. It’s not a specific type of rice or grain. It’s also not a particular combination of rice. 

Keep in mind that wild rice blend is not the same as wild rice. So, if you’re looking for how to cook wild rice, check out our Instant Pot Wild Rice.

What is Wild Rice Blend Made of

Some popular brands that offer wild rice blend are Lundberg Wild Blend, Floating Leaf Wild Rice Blend, and RiceSelect Royal Blend Rice.

Even though different brands incorporate different combinations and ratios of rice in their wild rice blend, it often consists of a mixture of wild rice, white rice, brown rice, and red rice.

What does Wild Rice Blend Taste Like

Since there are different kinds of rice in the blend, it offers contrasting rice textures, colors, flavors, aromas, and nutrition.

• Flavors & Aroma: nutty, earthy, wholesome, aromatic
• Textures: firm, chewy, fluffy, pillowy-soft, tender, plump
• Colors: red, brown, tan, black

Wild Rice Blend Experiment

Wild Rice and wild rice blend need different cooking times. So, we did three tests with wild rice blend in Instant Pot to find the perfect balance for you. 

Experiment Tool: Instant Pot Pressure Cooker 6qt (10.15~11.6 psi)

Experiment Ingredients

We developed the recipe with two of the most popular wild rice blends in Canada (Floating Leaf Prairie Gourmet) and the United States (Lundberg). This wild rice blend recipe works with these two brands.

Lundberg Wild Rice Blend: Long Grain Brown Rice, Sweet Brown Rice, Wild Rice, Whole Grain Wehani Rice, Whole Grain Black Japonica Rice

Floating Leaf Wild Rice Blend: Riceberry Rice, Chusei Calrose Rice, Kow Mun Red Rice, Long Grain Brown Rice, and Wild Rice. 

Wild Rice Blend and Consistency

Since the blend of rice affects the final dish’s texture & consistency, some blends need more liquid while others need less. 

What we look for in Wild Rice Blend

• Textures: cooked through, plump, separated individual grain, contrasting textures among different types of rice in the blend – fluffy, tender yet firm, with a nice satisfying chew; not mushy or hard
• Flavors: very nutty, aromatic, flavorful, earthy

Wild Rice Blend Test #1

• Wild Rice Blend: 1 cup (210g) of wild rice blend
• Liquid: 4 cups (1L) of cold water
• Cooking Method & Time: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 15 minutes, then Natural Release for 15 minutes
• Get Up to Pressure Time: 12:29 minutes
• Results: 380g of water left; rice texture is soft, fluffy, tender, moist, aromatic, nutty

Wild Rice Blend Test #2

• Wild Rice Blend: 1 cup (210g) of wild rice blend
• Liquid: 2 cups (500ml) of cold water + ¼ tsp (1.5g) fine sea salt
• Cooking Method & Time: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 15 minutes, then Natural Release for 15 minutes
• Get up to Pressure Time: 8:45 minutes
• Results: Plump, cooked through, separated, nutty, aromatic, fluffy tender with some chew, flavorful, tasty, moist (not soggy or mushy)

Wild Rice Blend Test #3

• Wild Rice Blend: 1 cup (210g) of wild rice blend
• Liquid: 1½ cup (375ml) of cold water + ¼ tsp (1.5g) fine sea salt
• Cooking Method & Time: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 18 minutes, then Natural Release for 15 minutes
• Results: Plump, cooked through, separated, individual grain, nutty, flavorful, aromatic, tender, fluffy but less tender and less moist compared to Test #2, has a bit more satisfying chew & mouthfeel, but not hard

Experiment Conclusion

We both prefer Test #3‘s rice texture because we like our wild rice blend tender yet have a more satisfying chew. If you like a softer rice texture, you may enjoy Test #2 more because it’s more tender and moist, thus easier to eat and digest. 

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Wild Rice Blend

Here are the simple ingredients for making Wild Rice Blend in Instant Pot:

Unsalted Chicken Stock & Unsalted Butter

We prefer to develop recipes with unsalted ingredients because we can better control the flavors of the dish.

The unsalted butter in this recipe is optional. You can substitute the unsalted chicken stock with water or other available stock.

Tools for Instant Pot Wild Rice Blend

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
• Wooden Spoon
• Pyrex Measuring Cups

Add Wild Rice Blend in Instant Pot

First, add 1 cup (210g) Wild Rice Blend and ¼ tsp (1.5g) fine sea salt or table salt to your Instant Pot.

Pour 1½ cup (375ml) of unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot. Give it a few swirls and make sure all the wild rice blend is fully submerged in the cooking liquid. 

Optional Step: Add in 1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter or olive oil for extra flavor and smoothness.

Pressure Cook Wild Rice Blend

With Venting Knob in Venting Position. Close the lid. Then, turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 18 minutes, then Natural Release for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning Venting Knob to Venting Position.

When the Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.

Fluff and Serve

Fluff wild rice blend in Instant Pot with a fork or spoon.

Give it a taste to make sure it’s seasoned properly. For reference, we didn’t need to add more salt for our taste.

Finally, serve and enjoy the wild rice blend with your favorite main dish and side dishes.

What to Serve with Wild Rice Blend

This flavorful wild rice blend instant pot recipe is a very versatile side dish. You can serve it with a variety of main dishes and vegetables.

• Chicken: Chicken Curry, Butter Chicken, BBQ Chicken, Chicken Marsala, Honey Garlic Chicken, Chicken Adobo
• Pork: Pork Chops, Pulled Pork, Char Siu, Pork Loin, Kalua Pork
• Beef: Beef and Broccoli, Japanese Beef Curry, HK Tomato Beef
• Vegetables: Green Beans, Cabbage, Butternut Squash, Zucchini

Or you can add these delicious savory wild rice blend to your salads and soups.

Enjoy the Instant Pot Wild Rice Blend~

Other Rice Recipes

• Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
• Instant Pot Brown Rice
• Instant Pot Basmati Rice
• Instant Pot Mexican Rice