Holiday Sides

Wild Rice Stuffing with Mushrooms, Cranberries and Pecans

Chewy wild rice, earthy mushrooms, tart cranberries, and toasted pecans — a naturally gluten-friendly dressing that steals the side-dish show.

October 25, 2026 By Chef Clara 4.92 (167 votes)
Wild Rice Stuffing with Mushrooms, Cranberries and Pecans
The Quick Takeaway

In a nutshell: This authentic american wild rice stuffing with mushrooms, cranberries and pecans comes together in just 1 hr 10 mins using simple whole ingredients. The chef's secret: Let them sit undisturbed until they color deeply — grey, steamed mushrooms make the whole. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Cuisine American
Advertisement

Chewy wild rice, mushrooms, cranberries, and toasted pecans bake into a gluten-friendly Thanksgiving stuffing with sweet, earthy, nutty flavor.

Key Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Aluminum foil

Chef's Pro-Tips

  • Brown the mushrooms properly: Let them sit undisturbed until they color deeply — grey, steamed mushrooms make the whole stuffing taste flat.
  • Toast the pecans before chopping: Five minutes in a dry skillet wakes up their oils and keeps them crunchy through the bake.
  • Make it a day ahead: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate. Bake straight from the fridge, adding 10 minutes to the covered time.

Ingredients
8 servings

  • 1 ½ cups wild rice blend, rinsed
  • 3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, divided
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • 12 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for serving
The Smart Meal Planner & Grocery Calculator
Bestseller Instant Download

The Smart Meal Planner & Grocery Calculator

Interactive Google Sheets & Excel system with auto-generating grocery lists, macro calculations, and 50 pre-loaded recipes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Cook the Wild Rice

Combine the wild rice blend and 3 cups of broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 40-45 minutes until the grains split and are tender. Drain any excess liquid.

2

Brown the Mushrooms

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until deeply browned. Stir and cook 2 minutes more.

3

Soften the Aromatics

Add the onion and celery to the skillet and cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic, thyme, and sage and cook 1 minute until fragrant.

4

Combine and Bake

Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, mushroom mixture, cranberries, pecans, remaining 1/2 cup broth, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish.

5

Bake Until Toasty

Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more until the top is lightly crisped. Shower with parsley and serve.

Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks

Kitchen Essentials

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

#2 in Baking Sheets

Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack

Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.

View on Amazon
500+ bought weekly

Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife

Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.

View on Amazon
Amazon's Choice

TILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc

Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.

View on Amazon
Amazon's Choice

Mercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"

Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.

View on Amazon
#4 in Baking Parchment

Amazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll

Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.

View on Amazon
#6 in Cooking Spoons

Woodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc

Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.

View on Amazon
Amazon's Choice

OXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"

Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.

View on Amazon
#3 in Cooling Racks

Ultra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2

Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.

View on Amazon
Amazon's Choice

Umite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc

Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.

View on Amazon
Best Seller in Hand Mixers

Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer

Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.

View on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as long as you use a certified gluten-free wild rice blend and gluten-free broth. Unlike bread stuffing, there is no wheat in the base recipe.

You can, but pure wild rice is chewier and takes longer to cook — simmer it for 50-55 minutes and check tenderness before combining. A blend gives a softer, more stuffing-like texture.

We recommend baking it separately. Wild rice stuffing needs to reach 165°F inside the bird to be safe, and by then the turkey is usually overcooked.

Yes. Toasted walnuts or hazelnuts work well. For a nut-free version, use toasted pumpkin seeds for the same crunch.