Top 9 Best Wild Rice Of 2024 (A Comprehensive Buying Guide)

Are you looking for a healthier option compared to white rice or brown rice? Then undoubtedly, wild rice should be the ultimate substitute for you and your family.

Wild rice is basically popular for its unique taste that allows it to pair up with anything in the dining, from fish to vegetables. You just name it. It also contains full of nutrients such as protein, manganese carbs, and fiber. Being gluten-free by nature, helps people stay healthy and young for a long time.

Along with ensuring nutrition, the unparalleled tastes and textures of wild rice will bring a change to your taste bud. You can mix it with anything you love to have for a meal.

So no wonder people who want to keep their hearts healthy and well functioning choose wild rice over white rice. But if you want to get a pack of wild rice to have a perfect meal with your family, you will likely get confused looking at so many options. Because there are so many brands offering different mixes, combinations, and qualities of wild rice.

How will you know which one is better and more suitable for you?

Don’t worry. Here in this write-up, we have compiled the 9 best wild rice for you, which we expect to meet all your requirements.

I hope, you will love this article among so many wild rice details on the internet.

Here Are The Top 9 Best Wild Rice

As there are so many options available on the market, it is easy to get perplexed here. Even when we were to design the list according to the product quality and customer opinions, it made us sweeten.

This is not easy at all. But no worries, because we’ve covered you up with our deep-researched 9 top wild rice package. So let’s dive into the explanations straightaway!

01. Quaker Near East Rice Pilaf Mix, Original & Wild Rice

Whether you want it as a side dish or in the main course, Quaker Near East Rice Pilaf Mix is a perfect addition to your meal. If you want to have a special meal with your family and friends and worry about what to add to the menu, this item can be a tasteful solution.

Higher-quality wild rice 

Near East is a brand suggested by all professional chefs for keeping the consistency of higher quality. This is a pack of rice that has a combination of wild rice, long grains, blended onion, garlic, and spices. And all these ingredients are natural and safe.

The perfect mix of this long grain and wild rice ensures a delicious solution to your hunger. So if you are craving something toothsome, take a bowl of Near East rice and start enjoying it.

Worth mentioning facts

One of the worth mentioning facts about this rice is it comes with a different package of securely blended herbs, spices, and other secret ingredients that adds extra flavor to your rice. So if you are really very concerned about the taste of your wild rice, Near East is a risk-free option.

If you come home late, don’t worry about the dinner. It takes only 30 minutes to cook this rice. The blended onions and spices with the rice make it an exotic dinner for your family and friends.

How easy is it to cook? 

The easy cooking process makes it more convenient for all working-class people. It comes out crispy from the fridge even after three days.

So what are you waiting for? 

With Near East Rice Pilaf Mix, you can make a mouthwatering dish for your meal.

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES

• All the ingredients come from nature.
• It is healthy and delicious.
• Combination of long grains and wild rice.
• Separate seasoning packet of herbs and spices.
• It takes only 30 minutes to cook.
• Easy-to-follow recipe.
• It is Kosher Certified.

02. Thousand Lakes Minnesota Grown Wild Rice

Do you want to share the real taste of wild rice with your family and friends? Start with straight-up rice. And in this regard, don’t hesitate to buy Thousand Lakes Minnesota Grown Wild Rice.

Because this high-quality wild rice is harvested in Minnesota, a place renowned for producing the best quality wild rice.

Available in a 5-pound pack

This product is available in a 5-pound pack. And the good thing is it’s a resealable pack. So if you have a shortage of containers in the kitchen or don’t have room in your fridge for a container, don’t worry.

The pack itself gives a wonderful storage solution as you are buying it in the bulk of 5 pounds.

100% natural wild rice

There is no doubt about the taste. It is one hundred percent natural wild rice which is bound to meet the standard taste of the item. Also, there is nothing added such as salt, garlic, or any ingredients so that the taste of real wild rice can be intact.

A pack of Thousand Lakes Wild Rice provides versatility in your meal. You can use this rice to make a perfect bowl of soup and stews to make it more healthy and delicious.

How easy to pair up?

If you want to use it as a side dish, it can easily pair up with your salad or stuffing. Suppose you are a meat lover; there is good news for you also. This delicious rice goes perfectly with chicken and beef. So it doesn’t matter whether you are a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian.

You cannot exclude this Minnesota-grown wild rice with any excuse. It will fit perfectly with any diet.

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES

• Minnesota-grown wild rice.
• No extra ingredients or preservatives are added.
• 3-8 inch long grain with the black outer hall.
• Resealable packaging allows easy storage.
• It allows all sorts of versatility.
• It is naturally grown and harvested.
• Gluten-free by nature.

03. Red Lake Nation Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice

Are you on your way to losing weight? Do you want to add something new to your balanced diet? We can’t recommend you anything more than wild rice for its nutritious benefit. And if you want the best one, then Red Lake nation should be the one you are looking for.

Because among all other wild rice brands in the market, Red Lake Nation is such a brand that grows and harvests its own rice.

Why is this so important? 

Because that’s how they can single-handedly maintain the whole process of growing and harvesting the finest quality wild rice and ensure all the nutrition is intact. Also, this wild rice is grown in Minnesota, the land from where the high-quality wild rice comes.

So you will get the real nutty flavor and texture from this wild rice. And as it is completely naturally grown and packaged, you will get all the nutrition protected.

There is nothing to worry about if you don’t like the taste of straight wild rice. You can add other rice to it. It’s a really good and healthy way to eat wild rice in combination with some vegetables. And this Red Lake nation wild rice will allow the utmost versatility maintaining its own flavor.

Delicious wild rice

You will be surprised to hear that people find this wild rice delicious even on the top of their pancakes, waffles, or even French toast.

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES

• It’s only wild rice, not mixed.
• No flavor or ingredients are added to it.
• Grown and harvested with full care.
• 100% naturally grown.
• Allows to pair up with anything.
• It provides a real nutty flavor and texture.
• It comes at a very reasonable price.
• The package is available in four sizes.

04. Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice

Imagine you come home after a long tiring day, and there is nothing to have for dinner. Or what if you don’t have the stamina to cook? You need a solution, right? Though there are a lot of things you can try, if you want a healthy solution to your hunger, what’s better than Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice?

If you are in a rush where you have no time to cook, take a pack of this rice mix and put it in the oven. Within 90 seconds, your dish will be ready.

An extra taste and flavor

This product is a blend of long grain and wild rice that will add an extra taste and flavor to your dish compared to straight-up wild rice. You can add some chicken or vegetables to bring an exotic flavor and texture.

Health facts about this item are also fascinating. It’s completely gluten-free, which minimizes the chance of cancer.

No sodium no HBP

There is no sodium in it, so you will not get high blood pressure. And not having cholesterol in this food will keep your heart healthy. So not only the unique taste and flavor, the benefits of Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice are really commendable.

For balanced diet

This wild rice mix is a very good source of thiamine, folic acid, niacin, and iron. So no doubt that this food mix can be part of a healthy and balanced diet as it ensures both nutrition and taste.

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES

• Combination of long grain and wild rice.
• It takes only 90 seconds in the microwave.
• It ensures all the necessary nutrients.
• No added fat and cholesterol.
• The perfect diet for people with high blood pressure.
• It tastes amazingly good.

05. Trader Joe’s Cultivated Wild Rice

Most wild rice lovers love to have naturally grown rice for having real taste and higher quality. But Trader’s Joe decided to take a different way. They have the item which is cultivated.

As we all know that Trader Joe’s never disappoints its customer with the quality of its product, and it hasn’t done any injustice with this product also. Though it is cultivated, the quality and tastes of this rice are the same as the naturally grown wild rice.

Why you should buy cultivated rice?

Now, you may ask why I should buy cultivated rice when we can buy naturally grown wild rice. The answer is- you can’t always buy 100% natural wild rice because it has a scarcity in supply. And at that time, cultivating one is the only hope.

But does the cultivated one lack the quality of naturally grown wild rice? In the case of this item, the answer will be NO.

No lack of quality 

There is no lack of quality. You will find all the signs of high-quality rice in Trader Joe’s wild grain, such as long, dark, and glossy grain along with the perfect length. While consuming this item, you will get a nutty and grassy flavor that tastes literally delicious.

Also, it smells very good when it is served. It comes in a transparent resealable bag that allows you to take a closer look at what is inside and what it looks like.

A convenient storage option 

Also, it gives you a convenient storage option. As there is no preservative added to this product, all the natural nutrients will be intact. So it is not only a solution to your hunger but also beneficial for your health.

Therefore if you are looking for a change in your diet, do not hesitate to buy Trader Joe’s cultivated rice. It tastes good and keeps you healthy as well.

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES

• Cultivated wild rice.
• Delicious in taste.
• Nutty and grassy flavor.
• Each grain is consistent in size and shape.
• It comes in a resealable bag.
• It ensures all health benefits.
• Available in 6 sizes.

06. 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Wild Rice Mix

It’s not so easy to stick to the same diet every day. You will need a change. And it’s really tough to eat wild rice straight for so many. If you are one of them, here we are bringing a healthy solution for you, introducing 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Wild Rice Mix. So let’s find out what it has to offer.

An organic wild rice mix

First of all, this is an organic wild rice mix. That means no preservatives or chemicals are added to the rice. This is naturally grown rice, ensuring all the nutrition for you and your family. It contains low fat and no sodium. So your heart and blood pressure will both be in control.

The most important fact about this food mix is its taste. As it is a combination of organic brown Basmati and wild rice, sure, it will bring a unique taste to your meal.

The smell of basmati and wild rice 

The smell of basmati and wild rice will be mixed together and give a flavorful smell after serving it on your plate. And you know, when it smells good, it tastes good.

The other good news is for the vegetarian. Because this wild rice mix is a vegan diet, as there is nothing added except the basmati and wild rice. But if you want to add something to it, such as fish, chicken, or beef while cooking, you can do that.

Mix in a variety of dishes 

People even use this wild rice mix in a variety of dishes. You can use it as both a side dish and in the main course. 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Wild Rice Mix is something that pleases your tongue and keeps you healthy at the same time.

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES

• Organic wild rice mix.
• Blend of basmati and wild rice.
• 45g whole grains will be ensured per serving.
• No extra fat was added.
• It is a perfect diet for a vegetarian.
• Kosher and USDA-certified organic wild rice mix.

07. Thousand Lakes ORGANIC Canadian Wild Rice

Though wild rice is a native grain of North America, there are places such as Canada, California, and Minnesota where you will find A-grade wild rice. And a thousand lakes picked the Canadian-grown product. Let’s find out if they have picked the best one or not.

The quality of this rice

First to mention the quality of this rice. Thousand Lakes organic rice is completely organic and naturally grown by its name. And in terms of wild rice, most people choose the organic one over the cultivated one for the real taste. So this brand of rice should be at the top of your choice if you care about the highest quality and taste.

Of its organic way of growing and harvesting, you will get the protein and fiber in higher amounts in this rice.

Add other rice for a different taste

This is plain rice. Nothing is added to the 5-pound pack of this rice. So if you want a different taste, then you have to add some other rice, vegetable, or meat. This is a Soup Grade of wild rice that includes both whole and partial kernels of rice.

So you can make a delicious addition to your soup with its fantastic flavor.

The best part? 

It’s well worth the price. When most of the brands charge a high price for their average product, Thousand Lakes is doing otherwise. It offers you premium quality yet at an affordable price. And it’s one of the most affordable options available in the market.

So if you are considering an affordable option with real flavor, go and grab a pack of thousand lakes Canadian grew organic rice.

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES

• Canadian-grown wild rice.
• It is an MCIA Certified product.
• Real taste and flavor.
• Great for the price.
• No preservatives were added.
• It comes in a resealable package.
• High in protein and fiber.

08. KCs Best Long Grain Cultivated Wild grain

When you are thinking about the best wild rice, you cannot ignore KCs long-grain cultivated wild rice. Because KC is such a brand that offers the finest cultivated product in the market. So if you are not a fan of naturally grown wild rice and its taste, you must check this cultivated wild grain as the best substitute.

Don’t doubt the quality

If you are in doubt about the quality of this cultivated wild rice, we will suggest you not to. Because this wild grain is cultivated in Minnesota, the land that produces the most high-quality wild rice. So you can trust its quality.

This cultivated wild rice doesn’t compromise its taste and flavor. Whether you are serving it at a dinner party or at a normal family dinner, the taste is not going to let you down on any occasion.

Flavor and texture

The flavor and texture will suit anything you want. Mix it with your soup or casserole; this cultivated rice will be a delicious addition.

And when you are buying this cultivated wild rice, you can take advantage of its affordable price. Because it comes at a more reasonable price than natural rice.

Worrying about nutrition? 

This cultivated wild grain contains a higher amount of protein and carbs than white rice. As I said before, as this rice has been grown and harvested in Minnesota, it’s obvious that all the nutrients will remain intact.

But we can’t surely say whether it’s gluten-free or not.

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES

• It is cultivated in Minnesota.
• Dark long grain.
• It offers versatility.
• Perfect test and texture.
• Full of nutrients.
• Less expensive than others.

09. Bineshii American Indian Hand Harvested & Wood Parched

Do you want to get back those missing memories of having the real taste of wild rice? If yes, then we have our last recommendation. We want you to take a look at Bineshii American Indian Hand Harvested & Wood Parched wild rice for its real taste and flavor.

Are you looking for a good wild rice brand?

Maybe you are looking for a wild rice brand that will give that mouthwatering nutty flavor that you had a long ago. And this rice can bring those moments of satisfaction back. Why are we saying so? Let me tell you a little bit about it.

The product is basically hand-harvested with proper care in Minnesota. So there is no confusion about the quality. It’s one hundred percent natural. No doubt.

But do you know, what is the best part of this item? 

This is wood-parched wild rice which tastes better than any other wild rice in the grocery store. Having said that, it depends on individual taste and preference.

However, the delicious nutty flavor must fascinate you. If you want rice for your breakfast, you have thought right. Not only breakfast, but it can also go with anything at any time. 

Never disappoint you with its taste

Let it be with some nuts, syrup, and butter on the top or some pieces of chicken and shrimp- this item will never disappoint you with its taste.

Not just the taste, it’s a time saver. And this is one of the most amazing facts about this wild rice.

Only 20-25 minutes

It takes only 20-25 minutes to cook, whereas there are other brands taking for more than 45-50 minutes. Don’t make your loved ones wait at the dining table. 

Serve them this Bineshii Hand Harvested & Wood Parched wild rice.

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES

• Hand-harvested in Minnesota
• No preservatives or chemicals have been used.
• It is Gluten-Free.
• 100% naturally grown.
• Wood parched wild rice.
• It takes less than 25 minutes for being cooked.
• Gives the real taste and flavor.

What to Consider before Purchasing the Perfect Wild Rice?

There are a few things that you may consider for making your task easier and finer. No one is solely best or worst. Being best or worse depends on demand and preference. Let’s have a quick look at some common qualities of wild rice.

1. Choose your favorite type

If you go to amazon, you will see there are mainly two types of wild rice available. One is labeled with Wild Rice Mix or Blended Wild Rice, which is actually a combination of wild rice and other rice with some extra ingredients added for ensuring a different taste. And the other one is just labeled with Wild Rice. And that is simply the rice only.

So before you look for the best one, you must first decide which best you want. Though both are high in quality and full of nutrients, people choose one over another for the taste.

2. Make sure it’s Preservative free

The best wild rice does not contain any preservatives. Because preservatives destroy the natural nutrients of the rice. So avoid those brands that add preservatives to their items.

3. The flavor

The real taste and flavor of wild rice are nutty and grassy. So while buying your one, be sure that the brand offers the same taste and flavor.

4. Find out from where it is collected

The most high-quality wild rice is grown in North America, Minnesota, California, and Canada. So you have to see whether the wild rice is grown or cultivated from any of these places or not.

If you see the rice collected from any of these places, you can at least be sure about the quality.

Top Wild Rice Comparison Table

What are the health benefits of wild rice?

There are countless health benefits of this rice that actually made this grain a must-have item in our daily diet plan. It will take a whole new write-up to describe the health benefits properly. But here, we want to leave a brief notion about the health benefits that the best wild rice provides to the human body.

1. Weight loss:

As wild rice is high in fiber and other nutrients, it can easily prevent you from overeating. Also, it’s a gluten-free and low-calorie food that should definitely make a place in your weight-loss diet.

Keeps your heart healthy: Good news for people with high BP. Because the wild grain has no sodium in it. Meaning, it actually helps to minimize the risk of high blood pressure.

In addition to that, its high level of fiber helps to clear out bad cholesterol from the system and keeps your heart healthy.

2. Improve the immune system: 

A strong immune system can help you fight any disease. To build a strong immune system, you need vitamins and minerals. And this rice can help you with that. Because it contains minerals such as potassium and manganese in high amounts.

Also, it’s a good source of vitamins A, B6, and C. So daily intake of rice in an appropriate amount can help you to boost your immune system.

3. Increase your energy level:

As it contains high protein, manganese, and magnesium, no wonder that wild grain will boost your energy to a higher level.

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Top Questions About Wild Rice (FAQs)

There are a few questions that can peep into your mind. Let not disappoint your ‘questioning mind’. Here are some most commonly asked questions and their answers.

Which one is the best? Wild rice or White rice?

If you are not a fan of white rice like the people of South Asia, it’s obvious that wild rice is the best in all cases. Let it be the taste or nutrition; wild rice is always ahead of white rice. It contains a higher amount of protein, zinc, potassium, and fiber. It’s also enriched with antioxidants.

On the contrary, white rice only contains more carbs than wild rice. Again, wild rice has a nutty and grassy flavor that easily goes with anything. Mainly it is higher in quality and has a lot of health benefits.

So undoubtedly, you must choose wild rice over white rice, though it’s a bit expensive. But who cares about money when it comes to better health?

What are the nutrients we are going to get from wild rice?

There is a list of nutrients that we can get from wild rice. But most importantly, it’s a good source of protein and manganese. Other than that, it’s one of the best plant-based sources of protein. You will also get a decent amount of Carbs, fiber, calories, folate, Vitamin B6, copper, and zinc.

The number of nutrients in a100 grams of cooked wild grain is given below:
➢ Calories: 101
➢ Protein: 4 Grams
➢ Fiber: 2 Grams
➢ Manganese: 14% of the DV ( Daily Value)
➢ Carbs: 21 Grams
➢ Vitamin B6: 7% of the DV

Is wild rice really rice?

Many of us have this question about wild rice. And they think it’s a misnomer referring to wild rice as rice. And they are completely right. Basically, wild rice is not actually rice. It is the seed of aquatic grass that looks like rice, though the name says otherwise.

But a question can arise – then why do people call it wild rice? Maybe it’s because this grass generally grows by the side of a lake or river naturally and can’t be commercially produced.

Maybe that’s what made it wild. And as the seed of aquatic grass looks like rice, it is referred to as wild rice.

Wrapping Up

Wild rice is actually a type of grain that we find chewy and tasty. This grain is also enriched with nutrients that are good for your health, especially for your heart. So if wild rice is a part of your daily diet, this write-up was to navigate you to buy the best one. The suitable one.

After a lot of research on customers’ choices and preferences, we have made this list of the best wild rice. So there should be no doubt about choosing any of them for your next meal.

As this wild rice isn’t commercially produced, there is a huge imbalance in terms of demand and supply. So before the stocks are out, go and grab your packet.