Slow Cooker Rice Pilaf with Wild Rice and Cranberries

This delicious and easy crockpot brown rice pilaf with wild rice and cranberries is just the dish to serve at your next gathering! You'll love the buttery and nutty texture and flavor of the brown and wild rice paired with tart-dried cranberries, sweet onions, and fresh herbs. It's special enough for Sunday supper and the holidays - but easy enough for weeknight dinners!

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The Best Slow Cooker Rice Pilaf!

Delicious! The combination of flavors is really unmatched in this wild rice recipe - my favorite part is the balance of sweet, savory, nutty, and fresh chives--a great mix of flavor and texture throughout!

Easy Side Dish. A super simple rice recipe to make in the crockpot! Slow cook the rice, onions, and broth. Then, add the remaining ingredients towards the end, such as the cranberries, chives, parsley, and nuts. Voila! Just fluff and serve.

Rice Pilaf Slow Cooker Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this crockpot brown rice recipe:

• Sweet Onion: sweet onion is really recommended in this recipe because it balances the sweetness in this dish. You can substitute with a white or yellow onion if needed.
• Uncooked Wild Rice: you can use any brand of wild rice blend.
• Uncooked Brown Rice: use any brand of brown rice, or you can substitute with white rice if you would like to.
• Butter
• Ground Black Pepper
• Chicken Broth: use low sodium or regular chicken broth based on your preference.
• Dried Cranberries: you can also use dried cherries in this recipe- both are delicious!
• Toasted Pecans: omit for an allergy, or use a different nut of your choice.
• Chives: you can also use sliced green onions if you have those on hand.
• Fresh Parsley: adds a great color and bright flavor.

For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!

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Substitutions and Variations

• Use any nut variety you would like instead of the pecans in this recipe. Other options are slivered almonds, walnuts, or pistachios. Omit the nuts if there are any allergies.
• Use white rice in place of brown rice if desired. Brown rice does have a bit more texture than white rice.
• Add shredded chicken to the rice for extra protein and serve it as a main dish.
• Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make this a vegetarian recipe.
• Add other herbs to this recipe, such as rosemary, thyme, or dill.
• Adjust any seasonings to your taste preferences.

How To Make Slow Cooker Rice Pilaf

1. Add the first 6 ingredients to the crockpot and stir together.

2. Cover and cook on low until the rice is tender.

3. Stir dried berries, nuts, parsley, and chives into the rice and fluff the ingredients together. Let sit with the heat off, and adjust the seasoning to taste.

How to Serve It

• Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
• Garnish with extra toasted nuts, chives, and fresh parsley.
• Serve warm out of the crockpot or transfer to a special serving dish for parties.
• Meal idea! Serve this amazing crockpot wild rice recipe with a succulent turkey this holiday season! Pair with this crockpot stuffing, gravy and citrus cranberry sauce. The best combination of dishes comes together for the ultimate meal!

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Kori's Tips

• Definitely use a sweet onion in this recipe! The sweetness really compliments all the ingredients for the best flavor. If you don't have one, you can use a white or yellow onion, but add a teaspoon or two of sugar to balance the flavor.
• Brown rice and wild rice do not have the same consistency as white rice when they are cooked. Expect a little bite and texture from both the brown and wild rice when it is done. If you do not like that consistency, you can swap brown rice for white rice.
• Add your delicate items to the crockpot once the rice is done. This will allow the ingredients to get warm but not lose their own texture in the rice.