Wild Rice Salad

This Wild Rice Salad tosses nutty wild rice with orange segments, grapes, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries in a light white balsamic dressing for a bright, make-ahead side.

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword Wild Rice Salad

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Servings servings

Calories 315kcal

Author Jason Decker

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups wild rice blend rinsed
2 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon White Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 cup grapes sliced
2 oranges segmented and chopped
1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 green onion thinly sliced
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Place a medium sauce pot over medium heat.
Once hot, add the oil and the rice. Stir occasionally as you toast it off for about 5 minutes.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 1/2 cups wild rice blend, 2 1/4 cups water
Add the water and bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and cover as the rice cooks, about 35 minutes or until tender—fluff with a fork and set aside.
Allow rice to cool completely before preparing the rest of the recipe.
Place the wild rice in a large bowl and toss with olive oil and white balsamic vinegar until completely incorporated.
2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon White Balsamic Vinegar
Stir in the grapes, oranges, pecans, dried cranberries, and green onion.
1/2 cup grapes, 2 oranges, 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1 green onion
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Salt and Pepper
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Toast the Rice: Toasting the wild rice blend in a skillet before cooking adds a nutty flavor and brings out different flavors. It only takes a few minutes but makes a big difference.
Rinse the Rice: Use a fine mesh strainer to rinse the rice under cold water before cooking. This removes excess starch and helps the rice cook evenly.
Cool the Rice: Let the cooked rice come to room temperature before mixing it with the other salad ingredients. This helps keep the fresh greens from wilting and the other ingredients from getting mushy.
Segmenting Oranges: Remove the white pith and any seeds from the oranges for the best taste. You can also add fresh orange juice to the dressing for extra flavor.
Extra Zest: Add a little bit of lemon zest or orange zest to brighten up the flavors.
Dress It Up: Drizzle some lemon juice or maple syrup over the salad for a tasty twist.

Nutrition