Cranberry Wild Rice Salad

Bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, this Cranberry Wild Rice Salad is a delightful harmony of textures and tastes perfect for any occasion. Nutty wild rice forms the hearty base, complemented by the sweet chewiness of dried cranberries and the crunch of toasted slivered almonds. Fresh green onions and parsley add a bright, herby note, while a zesty orange vinaigrette—made with freshly squeezed juice, olive oil, and a touch of honey—ties everything together. Whether served as a refreshing side dish or a light, nutritious meal, this salad’s balance of earthy, tangy, and sweet flavors will keep you coming back for more. Easy to prepare in under an hour, it’s a fantastic make-ahead option for meal prep or holiday gatherings.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup wild rice
• 3 cups water
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 0.5 cup slivered almonds
• 3 stalks green onions
• 0.25 cup parsley, chopped
• 0.25 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the wild rice under cold water in a fine mesh sieve.

Step 2

Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the wild rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the water. Drain any excess water and set the rice aside to cool.

Step 3

While the rice is cooking, toast the slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Remove from skillet and set aside to cool.

Step 4

Finely chop the green onions and parsley, then set them aside.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Once the rice has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Add the dried cranberries, toasted almonds, chopped green onions, and parsley.

Step 7

Pour the dressing over the rice mixture and toss until well combined.

Step 8

Serve immediately, or refrigerate for an hour to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy as a side dish or light meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1234.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1518.8

Total Fat 64.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1287.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 212.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.1g	0%
Total Sugars 62.2g
Protein 40.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 372.4mg	0%
Iron 9.8mg	0%
Potassium 1831.1mg	0%

*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: 36.4%

Protein: 10.2%

Carbs: 53.4%