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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
