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Native Foodways and Continuity - Midwestern American home cooks and Native American food traditions.

Wild Rice Dressing

Name: Wild Rice Dressing
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 6-8
Ingredients: 1 cup wild rice; 1/2 cup white rice; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 stalks celery, chopped; 1/4 cup butter; 2 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1 teaspoon dried sage; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; Salt and pepper to taste; Optional: chopped pecans or sausage

Wild Rice Dressing is a traditional American Thanksgiving side combining wild rice with aromatic vegetables, herbs, and often nuts or sausage. It reflects regional Midwestern and Native American influences and features prominently at holiday tables across the United States.

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Difficulty

Medium

Prep time

30 minutes

Cook time

45 minutes

Total time

1 hour 15 minutes

Servings

6-8

Region

Ojibwe and Great Lakes wild-rice country

Era introduced

Native Foodways and Continuity

Introduced by

Midwestern American home cooks and Native American food traditions.

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The Story

Wild Rice Dressing is a beloved American holiday staple, particularly in the Midwest, combining wild rice with complementary ingredients such as vegetables, herbs, and sometimes meat or nuts. Its roots integrate Native American wild rice traditions and European-American holiday cooking. The dish typically appears at Thanksgiving, showcasing the melding of indigenous and settler foodways in American festive meals.

Ingredients

1 cup wild rice
1/2 cup white rice
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: chopped pecans or sausage

Equipment

Baking dish
Large pot
Skillet
Oven
Cutting board
Chef's knife
Mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons

Directions

Cook wild rice according to package directions and drain.
Cook white rice separately until tender.
In a skillet, melt butter and saute onion and celery until softened.
In a large bowl, combine cooked wild rice, white rice, sauteed vegetables, and herbs.
Add salt and pepper to taste, stirring to combine.
Transfer mixture to a baking dish and bake at 350F (175C) for 25-30 minutes.
Remove and stir midway through baking for even heating.
Serve warm as a Thanksgiving side dish.

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Wild Rice Dressing

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