Get Wild with Wild Rice

Did You Know September is National Rice Month?

Let’s celebrate with some wild facts about a Minnesota favorite—wild rice!

According to the Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council, wild rice is the only cereal grain native to North America. It’s so special that it’s actually Minnesota’s official state grain! Not only is it delicious, but cultivated wild rice also provides essential habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife.

And get this—Minnesota is one of the largest producers of cultivated wild rice in the world. Pretty amazing, right?

How to Cook Wild Rice (It’s Easier Than You Think)

If you’ve never cooked wild rice before, don’t worry—it’s simple! Just:

Add 1 cup of uncooked wild rice to 3–4 cups of boiling water.
Return to a boil, stir, cover, and simmer for 30–45 minutes, or until the kernels just start to open.
Drain any excess water—and you’re done!

It’s nutty, hearty, and makes a perfect base for all kinds of meals.

My Wild Rice Recipe Contest Experience

Every year, the Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council hosts the “Get Wild with Wild Rice” recipe contest—and this year, I was lucky enough to be a finalist with my recipe:
Chipotle Chicken, Carrots & Wild Rice.

It’s a flavor-packed combo of:

Cooked wild rice
Honey-roasted carrots
Chipotle BBQ grilled chicken thighs
Fresh lime, cotija cheese, and cilantro

I actually threw this together one busy night using whatever we had on hand—and it turned out so good, I entered it in the contest!

If you'd like to support it, you can vote for my recipe here for the People’s Choice Award. (Thank you in advance!) There are tons of other great entries too—definitely worth checking out.

Oh, and the Council sent me a fun little swag bag with a hat, t-shirt, and—you guessed it—wild rice!

Want to Enter Next Year?

I totally recommend entering the contest if you love cooking and want to get creative with wild rice. It’s fun, easy, and a great way to celebrate a delicious local staple.

So here’s to National Rice Month—and going a little wild in the kitchen!