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Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries & Pecans

This Wild Rice Salad features crisp apples, crunchy pecans, and sweet cranberries tossed in a delicious orange vinaigrette. Serve it with your favorite protein or as a make-ahead side dish for Thanksgiving!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 357 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup wild rice , rinsed
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons fine sea salt (divided)
  • ½ teaspoon orange zest
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice , from one orange
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup toasted pecans , roughly chopped
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 2 celery ribs , diced
  • 1 apple , peeled, cored, and diced
  • ¼ cup roasted and salted pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
  • 2 green onions , light and green parts, thinly sliced

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 4 cups of water. Bring the liquid to a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Cover and simmer for 50 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat but keep the lid on for an additional 10 minutes. Remove the lid and make sure the rice is tender, with most of the grains split open. Transfer the rice to a fine-mesh strainer to drain any excess water. Let cool.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the orange zest, orange juice, olive oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the cooled rice, pecans, dried cranberries, parsley, celery, apple, pepitas, and scallions. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if desired. Serve cold or at room temperature.
  3. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Nutrition information is for roughly 1 cup of salad, assuming you get 6 cups from this recipe. This information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
  • Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the rice and vinaigrette up to 3 days in advance to make serving it easier, but don't add the nuts, chopped apple, or fresh parsley until shortly before serving for the freshest flavor and texture.

Nutrition Information

Calories 357kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 43g (14%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Sodium 529mg (22%) Potassium 319mg (9%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 18g (36%) Vitamin A 145IU (3%) Vitamin C 8.2mg (9%) Calcium 35mg (4%) Iron 1.5mg (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 357

% Daily Value*

Calories 357kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 43g 14%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Sodium 529mg 22%
Potassium 319mg 7%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 18g 36%
Vitamin A 145IU 3%
Vitamin C 8.2mg 9%
Calcium 35mg 4%
Iron 1.5mg 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.