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.
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.
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
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1 ½ cups wild rice blend, rinsed
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3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, divided
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2 tbsp butter
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1 medium yellow onion, diced
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2 ribs celery, diced
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12 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
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1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
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¾ cup dried cranberries
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1 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
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1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
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½ tsp black pepper
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2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for serving
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Step-by-Step Instructions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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View on AmazonFrequently 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.