Nutty Wild Rice Salad

Discover the perfect balance of hearty, tangy, and sweet with this Nutty Wild Rice Salad, a vibrant and wholesome dish that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Packed with nutty wild rice, toasted pecans, almonds, and chewy dried cranberries, this salad offers a delightful crunch and bursts of natural sweetness in every bite. Crisp shredded carrots, red bell peppers, and green onions add bright, fresh flavors, while a zesty dressing made from olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard ties it all together. Ready in just an hour with minimal prep, this salad is a satisfying side or stand-alone meal, ideal for meal prep, picnics, or potlucks. Plus, it's a fantastic gluten-free, nutrient-dense option that's sure to impress your guests.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup wild rice
• 3 cups water
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 cups pecans (or walnuts)
• 0.25 cups almonds
• 0.5 cups dried cranberries
• 1 medium carrot, shredded
• 0.5 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 2 green onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the wild rice under cold water using a fine mesh strainer.

Step 2

In a medium pot, bring 3 cups of water and 0.5 teaspoons of salt to a boil. Add the rinsed wild rice.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and some grains have burst open. Drain any excess water and let the rice cool completely.

Step 4

Meanwhile, toast the pecans and almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly golden. Let them cool, then roughly chop.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled wild rice, toasted nuts, dried cranberries, shredded carrot, diced red bell pepper, and chopped green onion.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 7

Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss until everything is evenly coated.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours to let the flavors meld together.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1500.8 grams (1500.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1985

Total Fat 104.40g	134%
Saturated Fat 11.80g	59%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2646mg	115%
Total Carbohydrate 238.70g	87%
Dietary Fiber 35.00g	125%
Total Sugars 79.50g
Protein 40.60g	81%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 372mg	29%
Iron 9mg	51%
Potassium 1782mg	38%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.7%

Protein: 7.9%

Carbs: 46.4%