Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries, Pecans and Orange Dressing
In short: Chewy wild rice tossed with dried cranberries, toasted pecans, celery and spring onions in an orange cider dressing. A make-ahead holiday side. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 295 kcal
Wild rice is not truly rice but the seed of an aquatic grass, with a chewy skin and a nutty, slightly smoky flavor. It keeps its texture in salads far better than white rice. Here it is dressed with orange and cider vinegar, then tossed with dried cranberries, toasted pecans, celery and spring onions. It is a staple on holiday tables and a smart make-ahead dish, since the flavor improves overnight.
Instructions
- Rinse the wild rice in a fine sieve. Put it in a medium pot with the water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 40 to 50 minutes, until most grains have split open and are tender but chewy. Drain off any water that is left.
- Spread the hot rice on a tray and let it cool for 10 minutes.
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant, then chop them roughly.
- Whisk the olive oil, orange zest, orange juice, vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Add the warm rice and toss so it absorbs the dressing. Fold in the cranberries, celery, spring onions, parsley and pecans. Taste, adjust the seasoning and serve at room temperature.
Tips
- Cooking time varies with the brand and how the rice was processed. Start checking at 40 minutes and stop when most grains have burst open.
- A mix of wild and brown rice is cheaper and cooks more evenly. Dried cherries, chopped apricots or toasted walnuts all work as swaps.
Questions and answers
Is wild rice really rice?
No. Wild rice is the seed of an aquatic grass, not a true rice. It has more protein and fiber than white rice and a chewier bite.
Can I make wild rice salad ahead of time?
Yes, it keeps for 4 days in the fridge. If you make it more than a few hours ahead, hold back the pecans and stir them in just before serving so they stay crunchy.
Can I use a wild rice blend?
Yes, but follow the cooking time on the packet, since blends often include quicker-cooking brown or white rice.
How long does it take to make Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries, Pecans and Orange Dressing?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries, Pecans and Orange Dressing?
About 295 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 37 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 295 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
