How to Cook Wild Rice Blend in a Rice Cooker
Wild rice blends mix grains that cook at different rates. Here is how to get every grain right in a rice cooker.
What Is a Wild Rice Blend?
Wild rice blends are commercial mixes that combine wild rice with one or more other grain types — usually long-grain white rice, brown rice, or parboiled rice. The blend exists because pure wild rice is expensive, strong-flavored, and takes a long time to cook. Mixing it with milder, faster-cooking grains makes it more approachable and affordable.
Common blend compositions include:
- Wild rice + long-grain white rice — The most common. Light and mild with pops of nutty wild rice flavor.
- Wild rice + brown rice — Heartier and more nutritious. Both grains have a chewy texture that works well together.
- Wild rice + brown rice + red rice — The “multigrain” blend. Visually striking with varied textures and flavors.
- Wild rice + parboiled rice — Quick-cooking blend where the parboiled rice’s firm texture matches the wild rice well.
The challenge with cooking any blend is that each grain type has different water requirements and cooking times. A good blend uses processing techniques (like parboiling the wild rice) to equalize cook times, but the water ratio still needs adjustment compared to cooking any single grain type.
For a detailed look at cooking pure wild rice on its own, see our wild rice guide.
The Method
Step 1: Read the Package
Check the ingredient list on your specific blend. The first ingredient is the dominant grain. A blend that is mostly white rice cooks faster and needs less water than one that is mostly brown rice or wild rice.
If the package includes cooking instructions, use their water ratio as a starting point. If not, use the ratios in the table below.
Step 2: Rinse
Rinse the blend 1-2 times in cold water. Wild rice blends do not need the extensive washing that Japanese short-grain rice does. A quick rinse removes surface dust and any loose starch from the white rice component.
Some blends include seasoning packets or loose herbs in the bag. Check before rinsing — you do not want to wash away added seasonings.
Step 3: Soak (Optional but Recommended)
Soaking the blend for 30 minutes before cooking gives the wild rice component a head start on hydration. This produces more even results, especially in basic on/off rice cookers that do not have a pre-soak phase built into the cooking cycle.
If your cooker has a Brown Rice or Multi-Grain setting, those typically include a built-in soak phase, making a separate soak unnecessary.
Step 4: Add Water
| Blend Type | Rice | Water | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild + white rice | 1 cup | 1.75 cups | White Rice |
| Wild + brown rice | 1 cup | 2.25 cups | Brown Rice |
| Wild + multigrain | 1 cup | 2 cups | Brown Rice |
| Wild rice heavy (50%+) | 1 cup | 2.5 cups | Brown Rice |
These ratios assume a standard rice cooker measuring cup (180ml). Adjust by 1-2 tablespoons in either direction based on your results.
Step 5: Select the Setting
Brown Rice setting is the best default for most wild rice blends. The extended cooking time allows the wild rice to fully hydrate and cook through without turning the other grains to mush.
Multi-Grain or Mixed setting also works well on cookers that have it. These settings are specifically designed for blends with different grain types.
White Rice setting works only for blends that are predominantly white rice with a small amount of parboiled wild rice. Pure wild rice will be underdone on this setting.
For more on how different settings handle different grain types, see our guide on rice cooker common mistakes.
Step 6: Cook and Rest
Press Cook. Do not open the lid during the cycle. When the cooker switches to Keep Warm, leave the lid closed for 15 minutes. Wild rice blends benefit from a longer rest than standard white rice because the wild rice grains continue absorbing moisture during this time.
After resting, open the lid and fluff gently with a rice paddle. The wild rice grains should be split open slightly, revealing a lighter interior. This is the sign of properly cooked wild rice — not split means underdone, completely burst means overdone.
Flavor Pairings
Wild rice blends have a robust, earthy flavor that pairs well with strong ingredients:
Mushroom Wild Rice Blend
Sauté 1 cup sliced mushrooms (cremini or shiitake) in butter. Add the mushrooms to the rice cooker on top of the uncooked blend with 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth replacing 1 cup of the water. The mushrooms steam while the rice cooks below.
Cranberry Pecan Wild Rice
After cooking, fold in 1/3 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup toasted pecans, and 1 tablespoon of butter. The sweet-tart cranberries and rich pecans complement the nutty wild rice perfectly. This is a Thanksgiving side dish that can be made entirely in the rice cooker.
Lemon Herb Wild Rice
After cooking, fold in the zest of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley, 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme, and a drizzle of olive oil. Bright and fresh — pairs well with grilled chicken or fish.
Savory Wild Rice Pilaf
Replace all the water with chicken broth. Add 1 diced shallot, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon of butter to the pot before cooking. After cooking, fold in 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds.
Troubleshooting
Wild rice is crunchy but white rice is mushy. The blend needs more water and a longer cook. Use the Brown Rice setting instead of White Rice. If you are already on Brown Rice, increase water by 2 tablespoons per cup and pre-soak for 30 minutes.
Everything is mushy. Too much water. Reduce by 2 tablespoons per cup next time. Wild rice blends that are mostly white rice need less water than blends that are mostly wild or brown rice.
Rice sticks to the bottom. The heating plate is too hot for the extended cook time. Some basic cookers scorch during long cycles. Try placing a small amount of butter or oil in the bottom of the pot before adding the blend and water.
Bland flavor. Wild rice blends can taste flat when cooked in plain water. Replace half or all of the water with chicken, beef, or vegetable broth. Even a bouillon cube dissolved in the water makes a significant difference.
Storing and Reheating
Cooked wild rice blend stores well in the refrigerator for 5-6 days — longer than plain white rice because the wild rice component is denser and holds moisture better. Store in an airtight container.
To reheat, sprinkle with a tablespoon of water, cover loosely, and microwave for 60-90 seconds per cup. The added water generates steam that rehydrates the grains without making them soggy.
Cooked wild rice blends freeze well for up to 3 months. Portion into freezer bags, press out the air, and lay flat for efficient storage. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or microwave from frozen.
For more on safe rice storage practices, check our rice storage tips.
Recommended Rice Cookers for Mixed Grains
These cookers have dedicated settings for mixed grains and blends:
- Zojirushi NP-HCC10 — Mixed/Multi-grain setting, induction heating
- Zojirushi NS-TSC10 — Brown rice and mixed settings, fuzzy logic
- Tiger JBV-A10U — Brown rice setting handles blends well
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water ratio for wild rice blend in a rice cooker?
Use 1 cup wild rice blend to 2 cups water. This is more water than standard white rice but less than pure wild rice because the blend contains a mix of grain types. If the blend is heavy on wild rice, increase to 1:2.25.
Which rice cooker setting should I use for wild rice blend?
Use the Brown Rice setting if your cooker has one. The extended cook time on this setting gives the wild rice component enough time to fully cook. If you only have a White Rice setting, you may need to restart the cooking cycle once.
Can I cook pure wild rice and white rice together from scratch?
This is tricky because pure wild rice takes 45-60 minutes while white rice takes 18-25 minutes. The white rice overcooks badly by the time the wild rice is done. Commercial blends solve this by using parboiled wild rice that cooks at a similar rate. If mixing from scratch, pre-soak the wild rice for 2-4 hours first.
Is wild rice blend as nutritious as pure wild rice?
It depends on the blend ratio. Most commercial blends are 15-25% wild rice with the rest being white, brown, or parboiled rice. You get some of the nutritional benefits of wild rice (higher protein, lower calories) but diluted by the other grains. Check the ingredient list — the first ingredient is the largest proportion.
Why is some of the wild rice in my blend still crunchy after cooking?
The wild rice pieces may be larger or less processed than the other grains in the blend. Try soaking the blend for 30 minutes before cooking to give the wild rice a head start on absorbing water. Also check that you are using enough water — wild rice blends need more than standard white rice.