How to Cook Wild Rice in Microwave

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Are you looking for a foolproof way to cook wild rice in the microwave? Filled with fiber and protein, wild rice is great substitute for brown rice, pasta, potatoes and other starchy sides.

There are many ways to prepare wild rice including stovetop, rice cooker, and instant pot. But, microwaving is a super fast and convenient method to cook all types of rice without making a hug mess to clean the dishes afterwards.

How do you cook wild rice in the microwave? Rinse wild rice thoroughly in cold water before cooking to remove any debris or dust. In a microwave-safe bowl, add rinsed 1 cup fo wild rice and 3 cups of water.

Cover the dish with a vented microwaveable lid and nuke on high for 5 minutes. Change the power from high to medium or 70% power and continue microwave for 20 more minutes.

Once 20 minutes has passed, let the rice stand for 10 minutes and carefully drain any excess liquid. Fluff with a fork, season to taste and serve hot.

In fact, cooking rice in a microwave rice cooker is recommended for whole grain rices as it provides a more consistent finished result.

Wild rice is a type of grass species that produce whole grain seeds. Wild rice has many nutrients including zinc, manganese, protein, magnesium, and phosphorus, there it is an extremely nutritious food source that it is higher in fiber and protein than many other grains.

The microwave is useful for cooking wild rice quickly and easily. Let’s answer frequently asked questions about best method to cook wild rice in the microwave and review expert microwave tips about the process.

Can you cook wild rice in the microwave?

Yes, you can cook wild rice in a microwave. This method takes time to get the right doneness and texture of the rice.

Also, microwaving does not result in the same taste of wild rice as when cooked in a rice cooker or on the stovetop.

In order to properly cook wild rice in the microwave, add one cup of wild rice, three cups of water and half a teaspoonful of sea salt into a microwave-safe bowl. Stir the mixture and cover with a microwave-safe lid.

Nuke for five minutes on high power. then stir. Microwave again for 20 minutes on medium power, then allow the wild rice sit for 10 minutes to absorb any excess water.

If the water has not drained completely, cover the bowl with the lid, and continue microwaving for one-minute intervals on full power until the wild rice is thoroughly cooked. Add your desired seasonings and serve while hot.

Is it safe to cook wild rice in the microwave?

Yes, it is safe to cook wild rice in the microwave. Wild rice takes a lot more time compared to any other type of rice, so the only concern is that the grains are completely cooked and not still raw.

Microwaving does not alter the original taste and texture of the grain. Instead, however wild rice does usually require more time to cook than other rices.

As a result, it is beneficial to soak the grain for several hours or even overnight prior to cooking. This additional step tenders the chewy grains so that they are butterflied, well rounded, and plump.

What is the ratio of water to wild rice in the microwave?

On average, the golden rule is a ratio of 1 cup wild rice to 3 cups of water. However, the ratio may differ slightly depending on the type of wild rice and the storage conditions of the dry good.

For instance to make 2 cups of wild rice, add 6 cups of water to get the best result.

An incorrect ratio of water to wild rice could result in underdone or overdone wild rice. Adding less water to the wild rice results in undercooking, while excess water results in overcooking.

Underdone wild rice is crunchy, difficult to chew, does not have an appealing appearance, and tastes dull. On the other hand, overdone wild rice is tasteless and mushy.

If there seems to be excess water past the microwaving time, the wild rice should be left to sit on the counter for ten minutes to steam. The wild rice will naturally absorb the extra water within this duration and become fully cooked and tender.

Tips for cooking wild rice in microwave

Without properly cooking wild rice in the microwave, it may be more time-consuming and will not result in the desired taste and texture. Here are expert microwave tips to cook wild rice quickly:

Follow the exact water and wild rice ratio to prevent from under- or overcooking.
Use a microwave-safe bowl that is large enough and has a flat bottom with a vented lid. A microwave rice cooker is the best tool for the job.
Set and adjust the correct microwave power for each step of the process.
Always rinse and drain the wild rice thoroughly with cold water to remove dirt and dust.
Allow the wild rice to soak in cold water for at least 2 hours before microwaving.
Allow the cooked wild rice to sit for 10 minutes on the counter before serving.

Best way to cook wild rice in the microwave

Cooking wild rice in the microwave requires a bit of patience and technique to get the perfect taste. Microwave is convenient and fastest way to cook rice compared to any other method, but wild rice just takes longer than other types.

Wash the wild rice a couple of times through running cold water and a fine mesh strainer. Transfer the rinsed wild rice into a microwave-safe bowl.

Add half a teaspoonful of sea salt and 3 cups of fresh water into the mixture, stir well.

Cover the bowl with a microwaveable lid, and place the bowl in the microwave.

Cook on high for 5 minutes in the microwave. Carefully remove the bowl and stir the mixture.

Microwave again on medium power for 20 minutes. Allow the wild rice to stand for 10 minutes in the warm appliance so that the carryover heat continue to steam the grains.

If there is still water at the bottom and the wild rice does not look fully cooked, then continue microwaving for 1 minute at a time on high heat to finish cooking the grain.

Transfer the cooked wild rice to a serving dish and add the preferred seasonings to serve.

Cook Wild Rice in Microwave: Conclusion

Wild rice is a whole grain that has high nutrition value that boasts a higher amount of protein than other rices and whole grains. It looks and cooks like other rice types hence its name, however wild rice is more pungent in taste and texture than any other types of grasses.

Wild rice has a chewy texture and a nutty taste that can be added in many dishes or eaten alone. It can be cooked in an instant pot, on the stovetop, in a rice cooker, or even in the microwave.

Use the correct water to wild rice ratio, stir twice in the microwaving process, and let the wild rice sit for ten minutes to facilitate water absorption and give the wild rice a tender texture.

Start by washing and draining dirty and dusty wild rice with clean. Place it in a microwave safe container with a ratio of 1 cup wild rice to 3 cups of fresh water.

For the first time, microwave on full power for 5 minutes, then stir and continue microwaving a second time on medium power for 20 minutes.

Whenever stirring the mixture, use a towel and gloves to carefully remove the bowl from the microwave to avoid getting burnt by the hot surface. Cautiously set the lid aside to stir the mixture so that you avoid getting burnt by the hot steam.

Allow the wild rice to sit for 10 minutes in the warm appliance to allow the carryover heat to cook evenly and gives it a tender texture. If the rice needs a bit more time to cook, continue with 1 minute increments on high heat to give that finishing touch.

If there is any liquid in the cooked rice, drain before serving. Fluff up with a fork to enjoy with your favorite meal as a side dish or main course.

microwaving wild rice is easy to do and relatively quick compared to other cooking methods. With an accurate wild rice to water ratio and controlled cooking time, the microwave method will give you perfect results every time.