Looking for a vibrant and healthy side dish that will impress at your next gathering? Look no further than our Instant Pot Wild Rice Blend with Pomegranates! This dish combines the nutty flavors of wild rice with the sweetness of pomegranate seeds, crisp apples, and a hint of citrus. It's a delightful blend of textures and tastes that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for holiday dinners or a weeknight treat, this recipe is a winner all year round!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Flavorful and Festive: The combination of wild rice, apples, pomegranate seeds, and dates creates a festive and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion.
- Nutrient-Dense: Packed with fruits, nuts, and wholesome wild rice, this Instant Pot Wild Rice dish is a nutritious addition to your meal.
- Quick and Easy: The Instant Pot makes cooking wild rice effortless and ensures a perfectly textured result every time.
🍚 Star Ingredients
- Wild Rice: A nutritious grain with a nutty flavor and chewy texture, it’s the perfect base for this vibrant dish.
- Apple: Adds a sweet, crisp freshness, pairing beautifully with the other fruity elements.
- Orange: Bright and juicy, the diced orange enhances the dish with a citrusy sweetness.
- Pomegranate Seeds: These little gems offer a pop of tart flavor and a crunchy texture, packed with antioxidants.
- Pine Nuts: Buttery and mild, they bring a subtle crunch and richness.
- Medjool Dates: Their natural sweetness and caramel-like flavor enrich the dish wonderfully.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle of olive oil binds all the flavors together with its smooth and fruity notes.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash brightens the dish, balancing the sweet with its tartness.
- Lemon Juice: The zesty tang of lemon juice perfectly complements the sweetness.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance and balance all the lovely flavors.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
If you want to change this wild rice pressure cooker recipe up a little, you might want to add some of the following ingredients.
- Protein: Make it a heartier meal by adding thin sliced chicken, Texas Smoked Turkey Breast, or even chunks of roasted salmon. These proteins complement the nutty flavor of the wild rice wonderfully.
- Herbs and Spices: Stir in fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil after cooking for a fresh flavor boost. For a warming touch, add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, especially during the fall season.
- Nuts and Seeds: Swap out pine nuts for almonds, Walnuts, or pecans for a different kind of crunch. Toasting them lightly enhances their flavor beautifully. Learn more here about walnuts by reading our article: Do Walnuts Go Bad?
- Dried Fruit: In addition to or instead of dates, consider adding other dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, or apricots. These can sweeten the dish naturally and add a chewy texture.
- Cheese: Crumble some feta or Goat Cheese on top before serving for a creamy contrast to the crunchy nuts and seeds.
🔪 How To Cook Wild Rice In Instant Pot
- Step 1: Measure out 1 cup of wild rice and rinse it under cold water to remove any debris. Add the rinsed wild rice to the Instant Pot.
- Step 2: Pour 2 ½ cups of water into the Instant Pot with the wild rice. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" setting and set the timer for 25 minutes on high pressure.
- Step 3: Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure. Transfer the cooked wild rice to a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Step 4: While the wild rice cools, prepare the other ingredients. Dice a large apple and an orange into small pieces. Measure 1 cup of pomegranate seeds. Toast ¼ cup of pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, then set aside to cool. Chop about 3 Medjool dates. In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Season with salt to taste.
- Step 5: Add the diced apple, orange, pomegranate seeds, toasted pine nuts, and chopped Medjool dates to the bowl with the cooled wild rice. Pour the dressing over and toss until everything is well combined and coated.
- Step 6: Serve the Instant Pot Wild Rice with Orange chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy this flavorful, nutritious dish as a side or light main course!
💧Instant Pot Wild Rice Water Ratio
If you're looking to make this wild rice blend Instant Pot recipe, a great tip is to use the right wild rice to water ratio to achieve perfect results. For every 1 cup of wild rice, add 2 ½ cups of water. This ratio allows the wild rice to fully absorb the water, becoming tender and nicely puffed up without being mushy.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Rinse the Wild Rice: Before cooking, rinse your wild rice thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris and to minimize the natural bitterness. This will ensure a cleaner, purer taste that lets the other flavors shine through.
- Toast the Pine Nuts: For an added depth of flavor, lightly toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they're golden and fragrant. This enhances their buttery flavor, making them a perfect complement to the sweet and fruity elements of the dish.
- Layer the Flavors: When adding the fruit to the cooked wild rice, consider the timing. Add the apple and orange while the rice is still warm to allow them to soften slightly and meld their flavors with the rice. However, stir in the pomegranate seeds and toasted pine nuts just before serving to maintain their crunch and freshness.
💭 FAQs
Using the rice setting on your Instant Pot for wild rice isn't recommended. This setting is typically designed for white or parboiled rice, which cooks at different times and water ratios compared to wild rice. Wild rice benefits from a longer cooking time to become tender and fully open up.
Toasting the pine nuts for your dish isn't strictly necessary, but it's highly recommended. Toasting enhances their natural flavor, bringing out a richer, more buttery taste and a pleasant, crispy texture. This can add a delightful contrast to the chewy wild rice and the soft fruits in your dish.
Yes, adding Pomegranate Molasses to your Instant Pot Wild Rice recipe can be a wonderful idea! Pomegranate Molasses offers a rich, tangy flavor that can add depth and a hint of sweetness to the dish. It pairs beautifully with the nutty taste of wild rice and complements other ingredients like nuts and fruits.
Store any leftover Instant Pot Wild Rice Blend in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Transfer the wild rice blend to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Defrost the wild rice blend in the refrigerator overnight.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some of the sides to serve with Instant Pot Wild Rice:
- Stuffed Mushrooms: Savory mushrooms stuffed with cheese, herbs, and breadcrumbs provide a rich and flavorful side dish.
- Air Fyer Stuffed Chicken Breast: Tender and juicychicken breast seasoned with herbs and spices pairs perfectly with the nutty flavor of wild rice.
- Air Fyrer Roasted Vegetables: A medley of roasted vegetables such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, and bell peppers adds color and a variety of flavors to complement the wild rice.
- Kale Butternut Squash Salad: A fresh kale salad with butternut squash,blueberries, and a light vinaigrette offers a crisp and refreshing contrast to the hearty wild rice.
- Air Fryer Baked Salmon: Tender baked salmon with lemon and dill provides a flavorful and nutritious main dish that pairs well with the wild rice.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Wild Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup Wild Rice
- 1 Large Apple diced
- 1 Orange Diced
- 1 cup Pomegranate Seeds
- ¼ cup Pine Nuts
- ¼ cup Medjool Dates (about 3) pitted and chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Rinse 1 cup of wild rice under cold water. Add the rinsed wild rice to the Instant Pot.
- Pour 2 ½ cups of water into the Instant Pot with the wild rice.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" setting and set the timer for 25 minutes on high pressure.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and fluff the wild rice with a fork. Transfer the cooked wild rice to a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Dice a large apple into small cubes.
- Peel and dice an orange into small pieces.
- Measure 1 cup of pomegranate seeds.
- Toast ¼ cup of pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, then set aside to cool.
- Pit and chop about 3 Medjool dates into small pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Season with salt to taste.
- Add the diced apple, diced orange, pomegranate seeds, toasted pine nuts, and chopped Medjool dates to the bowl with the cooled wild rice.
- Pour the dressing over the wild rice and fruit mixture.
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined, ensuring the dressing coats all the components evenly.
- Serve the Instant Pot Wild Rice with Orange chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy this flavorful and nutritious dish as a side or a light main course!
A vibrant medley of textures and flavors—nutty wild rice meets sweet pomegranate and crisp apple. This dish is a festive delight that's as pleasing to the palate as it is to the eyes.