Wild Rice Salad
This easy wild rice salad is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish, or for any occasion! It's got so much crunch, texture, sweetness, and savory components. Tossed with an apple cider vinaigrette.
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 508kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice see notes below
- 1 cup arugula
- 1 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup thinly sliced brussels sprouts
- 1 large honeycrisp apple diced
- 1 cup small-diced celery
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup roughly chopped pecans plus more for garnish
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds plus more for garnish
- 1 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
- 2 to 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or to taste
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey plus more to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the wild rice according to package instructions. Usually, it’s 3 to 1 water to rice ratio (although you can also use more water and then just drain). The cook time is around 45 to 50 minutes. It’s best to follow package directions to be sure since every brand is different.
- Once the rice is cooked, fluff with a fork. Let it cool down slightly. Tip: To cool down faster, spread the cooked rice over a sheet pan or plate.
- Meanwhile, combine all the apple cider vinaigrette ingredients in a mason jar. Seal and shake to combine evenly. Adjust to taste as needed.
- Assemble: In a large bowl, combine the arugula, mixed greens, apples, celery, dried cranberries, pecans, and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle the prepared dressing over, and toss to combine evenly.
- Top with the crumbled goat cheese, and garnish with more pomegranate seeds and pecans. I like to serve it slightly warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- Wild rice is available in most grocery stores or can also be purchased online.
- How to tell when wild rice is done: It’s done when some grains burst open and the texture is tender but slightly chewy. If necessary, extend cooking by 5–10 minutes. It should be tender, with a bite and slightly chewy.
- Make ahead: The rice can be cooked in advance. Chop the veggies ahead, but wait until ready to serve to dice the potatoes. Make the dressing ahead but wait until ready to serve to drizzle.
- Wild rice: Can also use a "wild rice blend," which is common in grocery stores. Follow the package instructions for cooking.
- Apples: Pears.
- Pecans: Walnuts, pistachios, almonds.
Disclaimer: Nutritional values (per serving) are approximates only.
Nutrition
Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 425mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 763IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 2mg