Walleye and Wild Rice Stew
A hearty stew featuring locally caught walleye and nutty wild rice, simmered with garden vegetables and fresh dill. This american-inspired soups ready in about 70 minutes pairs walleye fillets, wild rice, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs walleye fillets
- 1/2 cup wild rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 medium, diced carrot
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh dill
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1/2 cup wild rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium pot, combine wild rice, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 diced medium onion, 2 diced medium carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 2: Pat 1.5 lbs walleye fillets dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and flaky, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: After rice has simmered for 45 minutes, stir in 2 cups remaining chicken broth, 1 tbsp fresh dill, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Return the walleye fillets to the pot and simmer gently for 5 minutes to heat through without breaking the fish. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Walleye and Wild Rice Stew take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Walleye and Wild Rice Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep walleye fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Walleye and Wild Rice Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Walleye and Wild Rice Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Walleye and Wild Rice Stew?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 50-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
