Wild Rice and Cranberry Salad

Jane Crompton

This wild rice and cranberry salad is a perfect balance of nutty, chewy wild rice, tart dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans, all brought together with a bright citrus dressing. Inspired by autumn flavors, this dish is light but satisfying, making it an excellent side for holiday meals or a refreshing standalone salad.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings bowls

Calories 382 kcal

Equipment

large saucepan
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Sharp Knife
Cutting board

Ingredients

For the Salad Base:

1 cup wild rice rinsed and drained
2 cups water
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup pecans toasted and roughly chopped
¼ cup green onions thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh parsley chopped

For the Citrus Dressing:

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a large saucepan, combine the wild rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 40-45 minutes until the rice is tender but still slightly chewy. Drain any excess liquid and let the rice cool slightly.
While the rice is cooking, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and slightly browned. Let cool before roughly chopping.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and black pepper to create the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked wild rice, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, green onions, and parsley. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Let the salad sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Notes

For a protein boost, add grilled chicken or crumbled feta cheese.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 7gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 311mgPotassium: 290mgFiber: 5gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 411IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg

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