Mushroom and Wild Rice Pilaf is packed with flavor - juicy raisins, crunchy almonds, oregano, nutty wild rice, and earthy mushrooms, all drenched in brown butter. You'll love this easy one pot recipe as a side dish all year round or light vegetarian main.
In a large pot with a lid (I used my Dutch oven), brown the butter by melting it over medium-high heat, allowing it to get foamy, and then stirring constantly until it develops a brown color. Once it gets brown, immediately add the sliced mushrooms (16 oz.) and stir to coat.
Season the mushrooms with the salt (½ teaspoon) and black pepper (¼ teaspoon). Stir again to coat, then sauté the mushrooms until deeply brown, stirring only occasionally to allow the liquid to evaporate and color to develop (about 5-7 minutes, see notes).
Add the fresh oregano (1 tablespoon), raisins (½ cup), and slivered almonds (½ cup) to the pot. Stir to coat. Add the wild rice blend (1 cup) and stir to coat in all the butter and spices for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour in the broth (2 cups), bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low for 10-15 minutes (or until rice is fully cooked, double check the package instructions, see notes).
Turn off the heat and allow the rice pilaf to remain covered for 5-10 more minutes. Then, uncover and fluff with a fork or spoon. Serve.
Notes
I love RiceSelect Royal Rice Blend because it has a great combination of textures and flavors and is fast to cook. Keep in mind: other blends of wild rice, and especially pure wild rice, may take longer to cook or require different liquid ratios. Check the package directions and adjust the amount of broth and time to cook accordingly.
Sliced almonds, or another nut of choice, such as walnuts or pecans, can be used instead of slivered almonds. For a nut-free version, use a seed (such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds), or omit entirely.
For a vegetarian version, be sure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For a dairy-free or vegan version, us a vegan butter substitute, or olive oil (skip the browning part if using oil).