Pecan Wild Rice Salad

Bursting with vibrant flavors and textures, this Pecan Wild Rice Salad is a wholesome and hearty dish perfect for any occasion. Fluffy wild rice forms the earthy base, while toasted pecans add a satisfying crunch, and sweet dried cranberries provide a delightful pop of tangy sweetness. Fresh green onions and parsley lend a bright, herbaceous touch, all brought together with a zesty homemade dressing of olive oil, orange juice, Dijon mustard, and honey. This easy-to-make salad is ready in under an hour and can be served chilled or at room temperature, making it ideal for meal prep, potlucks, or picnic spreads. Packed with nutrient-rich ingredients and a medley of complementary flavors, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your salad repertoire. Keywords: Pecan Wild Rice Salad, wild rice, healthy salad, easy side dish, vegetarian salad recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup (uncooked) wild rice
• 2.5 cups water
• 1 cup pecans
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 3 stalks (chopped) green onions
• 0.25 cup (chopped) fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 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

In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and some grains have burst open.

Step 3

Drain any excess water from the cooked rice and transfer it to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.

Step 4

While the rice cooks, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool before roughly chopping.

Step 5

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper for the dressing. Set aside.

Step 6

Add the toasted pecans, dried cranberries, chopped green onions, and parsley to the bowl with the rice.

Step 7

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine, ensuring the ingredients are evenly coated.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 9

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1087.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1936.0

Total Fat 117.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.6g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1373.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 206.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.0g	0%
Total Sugars 60.8g
Protein 33.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 171.5mg	0%
Iron 6.7mg	0%
Potassium 1252.6mg	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: 52.4%

Protein: 6.7%

Carbs: 40.9%