Wild Rice Harvest Salad (Print Version)

Nutty wild rice tossed with cranberries, toasted pecans, and fresh herbs in a tangy vinaigrette.

# What You Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup uncooked wild rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Fruits & Nuts

04 - 2/3 cup dried cranberries
05 - 2/3 cup pecans, roughly chopped and toasted
06 - 1 small apple, diced (optional)

→ Fresh Produce & Herbs

07 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
08 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

→ Vinaigrette

11 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How To Make:

01 - Rinse the wild rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine wild rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes until tender and some grains have burst. Drain any excess water and allow to cool slightly.
02 - While rice is cooking, toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup or honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Add cooked wild rice, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, diced apple (if using), green onions, parsley, chives, and thyme into the vinaigrette. Toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, making it perfect for diverse dietary needs
  • Make-ahead friendly—the flavors actually improve after a few hours in the refrigerator
  • Combines simple, accessible ingredients into an elegant presentation
  • Offers a delightful contrast of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in every bite
  • Versatile enough to shine as a main dish or complement roast meats and poultry
02 -
  • Make the salad up to 24 hours in advance; refrigerate and bring to room temperature before serving
  • For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey in the vinaigrette
  • Double the recipe for larger crowds—it scales beautifully
  • Toast extra pecans and store them in an airtight container for quick meal additions
  • If wild rice is unavailable, try a blend of wild and brown rice for similar texture
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