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This Wild Rice Stuffing is packed full of rich flavor and made with all different kinds of mushrooms, butter, garlic, fresh herbs, and of course, a sprinkle or two of Parmesan cheese - it's the perfect non-stuffing stuffing for your holiday dinner!
This recipe was originally published in November 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.
Who else out there loves mushrooms?? I mean, they are the BEST! Mushrooms sauteed in a bit of butter is one of my favorite things.
That's why this wild rice stuffing with mushrooms is so good. Because it is SO GOOD. Especially if you're kind of over that bready style stuffing (which I'm totally not but who doesn't like a little change every so often??).
Made with wild rice, mushrooms, butter and fresh herbs, this wild rice and mushroom stuffing will be a total hit at your Thanksgiving dinner. I swear, the people will love it. Because it's awesome.
And as usual, easy to make. This mushroom stuffing is just SO EASY. And it's perfect to make ahead. So what are you waiting for?!?!?!
**Check out these super delicious Sauteed Brandied Mushrooms, or this decadent Creamy Mushroom Lasagna if you're a mushroom lover like me**
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
- The mushrooms and wild rice both have an earthy taste, which is complemented by the richness of the butter and bacon;
- It's incredibly easy to make in advance and tastes great leftover - your gusts will never know you made it 2 days ago!
- Did I already mention it has bacon? BACON!
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Step By Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
How To Cook Wild Rice
Note: You can use wild rice or a wild rice blend for this recipe.
Cook the wild rice in the broth in accordance with the instructions on the package. Mine typically cooks, covered, for 45 minutes. Like I said earlier, I usually use a wild and brown rice blend, but you can use all wild rice, or any blend you like (I do not recommend white rice).
Once the rice is cooked, pour it into a 9x13 (or 8x11) baking dish and set aside.
Cook the bacon until crispy, remove and drain. Drain excess bacon fat from the skillet, leaving about 1-2 tbsp. Save the bacon fat for future use. Because guys, bacon fat is KING.
Heat the skillet over medium heat and add the onions and garlic and cook until soft.
Add the mushrooms and crumbled bacon and cook until mushrooms start to release liquid, about 10 minutes.
Add the sherry, salt , pepper and herbs and cook until liquid is absorbed.
Remove from heat and pour over the rice, stirring to combine the ingredients. Pour the stuffing into a baking dish and cover with the parmesan cheese.
Bake for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld together and heat through.
Expert Tips
- You can use wild rice or a wild rice blend for this recipe. I use a blend (I included the link to what I use under the ingredients in the post above).
- When you cook the bacon, I highly recommend reserving all the bacon fat. For this recipe, leave about 1-2 tbsp. in the pan. Pour the rest in an airtight container and store in the fridge or freezer. Make sure the bacon grease is cooled down before pouring it into any plastic container.
- Cook the wild rice in the broth in accordance with the instructions on the package. Mine typically cooks, covered, for 45 minutes.
- I recommend using the bottled "grated" Parmesan cheese instead of fresh grated. The consistency is better for this recipe;
- Parmesan cheese is added for flavor. If you want a cheesier dish, replace the Parmesan cheese with Monterrey jack cheese.
- Any kind of mushrooms can be used in this recipe - I'm a huge fan of shiitakes and portabella mushrooms, but use whatever you can find.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I make stuffing ahead of time? Cover and refrigerate overnight, or place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. To cook from the fridge, follow the baking instructions above. To cook from the freezer, thaw overnight and follow the baking instructions above.
- Can wild rice stuffing be frozen? You can prepare the stuffing in advance and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight then bake according to the recipe instructions.
More Stuffing Recipes
- Jambalaya Stuffing;
- Basic Stuffing Recipe (Tips for making the best stuffing ever!!);
- Crispy Stuffing Balls;
- Oyster Stuffing;
- Cornbread Stuffing;
- Bread Stuffing with Butternut Squash
Plan Your Thanksgiving Dinner!!
If you're looking for some Thanksgiving (or Christmas) Dinner ideas, check out some of these awesome ideas below:
- Get the day started with some Cured Salmon, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus or Baked Brie while your guests mingle;
- This Chipotle Honey Baked Ham Recipe is super simple and delicious - OR - Butter Roasted Turkey from a Cedar Spoon;
- Spice up your stuffing game with this Mexican Cornbread Stuffing or this Cajun Oyster Dressing;
- Serve homemade Creamed Corn and/or this Cheesy Cauliflower Bake;
- What's Thanksgiving without some Dinner Rolls from Just a Taste;
- Get your sweet on with Pecan Pie Bars, Pumpkin Pie Bars and/or Caramel Apple Galette.
Did you make this Wild Rice Stuffing with Mushrooms? Rate it and leave a comment below to let me know what you think!
Recipe
Wild Rice Stuffing with Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 2 cups wild rice
- 3- 3 ½ cups chicken broth/stock
- 8 oz. white mushrooms
- 8 oz. portabella mushrooms
- 4 oz. shiitake mushrooms
- ½ stick butter
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp. sherry
- 6 oz. bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
- 2 tsp. salt to taste
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook the wild rice in the broth in accordance with the instructions on the package. Mine typically simmers on low, covered, for 45 minutes.
- Once the rice is cooked, pour it into a 9x13 (or 8x11) baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the bacon until crispy, remove and drain. Drain excess bacon fat from the skillet, leaving about 1-2 tbsp. Save the bacon fat for future use.
- Heat the skillet over medium heat and add the onions and garlic and cook until soft.
- Add the mushrooms and crumbled bacon and cook until mushrooms start to release liquid, about 10 minutes.
- Add the sherry, salt , pepper and herbs and cook until liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and pour over the rice, stirring to combine the ingredients. Cover with the Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes.
Expert Tips:
- You can use wild rice or a wild rice blend for this recipe. I use a blend (I included the link to what I use under the ingredients in the post above).
- When you cook the bacon, I highly recommend reserving all the bacon fat. For this recipe, leave about 1-2 tbsp. in the pan. Pour the rest in an airtight container and store in the fridge or freezer. Make sure the bacon grease is cooled down before pouring it into any plastic container.
- Cook the wild rice in the broth in accordance with the instructions on the package. Mine typically cooks, covered, for 45 minutes.
- I recommend using the bottled "grated" Parmesan cheese instead of fresh grated. The consistency is better for this recipe;
- Parmesan cheese is added for flavor. If you want a cheesier dish, replace the Parmesan cheese with Monterrey jack cheese.
- Any kind of mushrooms can be used in this recipe - I'm a huge fan of shiitakes and portabella mushrooms, but use whatever you can find.
Andrea Metlika
I want to make this for dinner tonight. I love all the mushrooms and other flavors in this. It sounds amazing.
Danielle
I hope you get a chance to!
Cristie
Its starting to get cold in my part of the world now so this looks so so so appealing. Can't wait to try! Yum!
Danielle
Hope you love it Cristie!
Pam Greer
This is my family's new favorite stuffing. I first tried it last year and am back again this year to make it agin! The best!
Danielle
Yay! I'm so glad you like it!
Alison
Oh wow! This looks so good. I'm not a big fan of stuffing but I can get around this wild rice stuffing any day!
Danielle
Thanks Alison!
Helen
Looks delicious - I'll have to figure out a vegetarian substitute for the bacon! 🙂
Danielle
Thanks Helen!
Demeter
Love the idea of making this ahead of time to help take the load off of cooking that day. Looks amazing!
Danielle
It totally makes it easier! Thanks Demeter 🙂
Alisa Infanti
I love mushrooms and this recipe didn't disappoint. I took it out for a test drive but it will be on the table for Christmas dinner for sure!
Danielle
Glad you enjoyed it!
Romina
This sounds and looks great. I love the step by step images, so helpful.
Danielle
Thanks!
Shinta Simon
Yumm! This is definitely my kind of side or stuffing! It looks absolutely divine. Love your expert tips as well!
Danielle
Thanks Shinta!
Ashley
Yum!! I can smell this through my screen!! Definitely adding to my holiday menu!
Danielle
Thanks!
Mary Bostow
This Wild Rice Stuffing with Mushrooms sounds fantastic! Looks tasty! This recipe is perfect for me and my family. Wow and wow, this is so delicious and it makes my mouth watering.
Danielle
Thanks so much Mary! I hope you get the chance to make it 🙂
Demeter
Loving all of those mushrooms!! This is such a great alternative to traditional stuffing. Adding this to my holiday menu!
Danielle
Thanks Demeter! Sometimes it's nice to have a change 🙂
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
Now this certainly sounds like my kind of stuffing - so many delicious flavours!
Danielle
Thank so much 🙂
Lisa Huff
Love that you added mushrooms and all those fresh herbs. Perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday meals. And my kids would even it which is always a nice bonus. 🙂
Danielle
Bonus! Thanks Lisa 🙂
Kelly Anthony
What a great side dish for Thanksgiving. I like the idea of eating rice instead of the traditional stuffing.
Danielle
Thanks Kelly! The rice is a nice change 🙂