Slow Cooker Wild Rice Recipe with Pecans - Vegan in the Freezer (2024)

Slow Cooker Wild Rice Recipe with Pecans is simple to make in the crockpot. Grains, nuts, and veggies are all combined for a unique side dish and is special over the holidays too.

There are so many nice wild rice blends on market shelves now. Wild rice can be a little, well, wild for some people so when it’s combined with lots of other grains the flavor is softened and extra special.

This recipe is especially nice for a party or holiday. Not that it can’t be eaten on any day of the year but there is just something festive about its looks and taste.

Just look at the earthy colors and mix of textures. Another super plus is that it comes from the crockpot.

There is literally about 6 minutes of preparation and then everything goes into the slow cooker.

How beautiful is that?

A lot of people wonder how to cook wild rice. It is a little different but there is nothing to think about when you’re using a slow cooker.

Wild rice takes longer to cook than white or brown rice and that makes it doubly perfect for making this slow cooker recipe.

What is Wild Rice?

• Wild rice is very different from the Asian rice varieties that we usually consume.
• In fact, it isn’t even rice but grass. The grain grows on the grass which grows in water and wetlands. It is a cousin to rice!
• It has a chewy outer sheath with a tender inner grain.
• Another really interesting fact is that there is more than one species and many are native to North America.
• From the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast you can find wild rice. Four species, in fact. There is also one species that is native to China.

Is Wild Rice Gluten Free?

• Yes! Not only that, every single ingredient in this recipe is gluten free.
• It is possible to buy a soy sauce that is not gluten-free but tamari is always gluten free so if you can't find the soy sauce you need then get tamari.
• It's pretty easy to find gluten-free soy sauce so just make sure you read the label. It is even on the front of the label.

Is Wild Rice Healthy?

• To say the least.
• It is a whole grain and higher in protein than regular rice and it has an impressive amount of antioxidants.
• The wild rice nutrition stars are protein and fiber.
• It is a complete protein which means it contains all nine essential amino acids. That’s a big deal!
• There aren’t many foods that are complete proteins in themselves.
• Cooking wild rice is as easy as can be in this recipe.

Ingredients in this Slow Cooker Wild Rice Recipe

• Vegetable broth - adds flavor right off the bat.
• Wild rice blend - is an amazing mix of grains that blend perfectly together.
• Button Mushrooms - are milder and don't fight with the other flavors.
• Carrot - adds a little healthy vegetable sweetness.
• Dairy free butter - is needed for an underlying flavor.
• Tamari or soy sauce - adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
• White onion - is a sweet vegetable when cooked and really adds lots of contrasting flavor.
• Dried marjoram - has a mild flavor and is very similar to oregano.
• Dried tarragon - is hard to explain but it is minty and peppery all at the same time.
• Salt and black pepper - are needed for seasoning.
• Pecans - give that little bit of crunch and turn this side dish into something even more special.
• Scallions - do taste good but they are specially used for the pretty green garnish. So this is optional.

Wild Rice Blend from the Crock Pot Variations

• Toss your favorite grilled seitan or plant-based bites to the finished side dish to make a main dish version.
• Add some additional vegetables like freshly snapped green beans to boost its green color.
• If this is for Thanksgiving or Christmas you can add ½ cup dried cherries or dried cranberries when you add the pecans.
• Switch out the white button mushrooms for cremini mushrooms for more depth of flavor.
• I made this version with a wild rice blend because I love the mixture so much but you can sure go for straight wild rice if you like. The preparation is the same.

How To Make Wild Rice and Veggies in the Crock Pot?

• This is really a dump-and-go recipe and barely needs explanation but here goes. 🙂
• Use a 3 ½ to 4 quart slow cooker.
• Place all of the broth, wild rice blend, carrot, mushrooms, dairy free butter, tamari, onion, marjoram, tarragon, salt and pepper in the slow cooker.
• Turn to low 5-6 hours.
• At the end of that time stir in pecans. Cover and let stand 10 minutes.
• Serve with a slotted spoon and garnish with scallions.
• See what I mean? Easy!

You Can Never Have Too Many Rice Side Dish Recipes!

Mujadara Baked Rice and Lentils is a classic that you shouldn't miss.

You'll love the combination of ingredients that make up this Vegan Broccoli Rice Casserole.

Air Fryer Sticky Mushroom Rice has the best flavors. You have to try it!

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