This Thanksgiving, ditch the traditional stuffing and try something new! This Instant Pot Thanksgiving Rice Pilaf is a flavorful and easy side dish that's perfect for a holiday feast. It's bursting with autumnal flavors, and it's surprisingly simple to make. Even better, it's mostly hands off – perfect for when you're busy prepping the rest of your meal!
I created this recipe after a Thanksgiving disaster involving burnt stuffing and a slightly overcooked turkey. I needed a recipe that was foolproof, delicious, and felt festive. This Instant Pot Thanksgiving Rice Pilaf delivered on all fronts. The combination of wild rice, cranberries, pecans, and herbs results in a hearty and subtly sweet dish that pairs well with both turkey and ham. Plus, the Instant Pot means less time standing over a hot stove!
Required Equipments
- 6-quart Instant Pot
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Rice cooker (optional)
- Serving bowl
Instant-Pot-Thanksgiving-Rice-Pilaf
This Instant Pot Thanksgiving Rice Pilaf is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish perfect for your holiday meal. It’s bursting with fall flavors and requires minimal hands-on time!
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 4 servings
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- First things first, gather your ingredients. Make sure everything's prepped and ready to go; it makes the process SO much smoother. Chop those veggies, measure out your spices... the whole shebang. You'll thank yourself later!
- Next, set your Instant Pot to the "Sauté" function. Add the olive oil and let it heat up a bit. Once it's hot, toss in your onions and carrots. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until they're softened and starting to look delicious.
- Now, it's time for the garlic and celery! Add them to the pot and sauté for another minute, just until fragrant. Don't overcook, or things'll get bitter – trust me on this one!
- Stir in the wild rice and cranberries, then the broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot to make sure any delicious browned bits don't get left behind! We're making magic here, and every bit counts!
- Close the lid and set the valve to "Sealing." Cook on high pressure for 22 minutes. Once it's done, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes before carefully quick releasing any remaining pressure.
- Once the pressure has fully released, fluff the rice with a fork. If it seems too dry add 1-2 tbsp of water. Give it a good stir to distribute everything evenly.
- Finally, stir in the chopped parsley and toasted pecans. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Give it a taste test! Adjust seasoning as needed. Your Thanksgiving rice pilaf is ready to impress!
- Garnish and serve! Transfer to a serving bowl. We like to sprinkle extra pecans on top, but this is entirely up to you! Serve it alongside your other Thanksgiving dishes. Enjoy!
📝 Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans.
- Adjust the amount of broth as needed depending on the type of rice you use and desired consistency.
- Feel free to add other vegetables or herbs to customize your pilaf.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cranberries, such as fresh or frozen, for variations in texture and sweetness
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 250 kcal
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 4 g
Calcium: 20 mg
