Wild Rice with Spicy Pecans

Elevate your side dish game with this irresistible recipe for Wild Rice with Spicy Pecans—a perfect blend of nutty, earthy flavors and a touch of heat. This dish features tender, perfectly cooked wild rice tossed with oven-roasted pecans coated in a bold mixture of cayenne pepper, paprika, cinnamon, and maple syrup for a sweet-and-spicy crunch. Dried cranberries add a burst of tart sweetness, while fresh parsley and green onions provide a vibrant, herbaceous finish. Perfect as a hearty side or a light vegetarian main course, this recipe is easy to prepare and versatile, with the option to serve it warm or at room temperature. Ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or weeknight dinners, this dish brings together whole-grain goodness, bold spices, and crunchy texture in every bite.

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
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pecan halves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 2 stalks green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil.

Step 3

Add the wild rice to the boiling water, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and some grains have split open.

Step 4

While the rice is cooking, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 5

In a mixing bowl, combine the pecan halves, olive oil, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, paprika, and ground cinnamon. Toss until the pecans are evenly coated.

Step 6

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the pecans in a single layer on it.

Step 7

Roast the pecans in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until they are toasted and fragrant. Remove and let them cool completely.

Step 8

Once the rice is cooked, drain any excess water and fluff the rice with a fork. Transfer it to a large serving bowl.

Step 9

Add the roasted spicy pecans, dried cranberries, chopped green onions, and fresh parsley to the wild rice. Stir gently to combine.

Step 10

Season with black pepper and additional salt to taste.

Step 11

Serve warm or at room temperature as a side dish or a light main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1134.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1778.5

Total Fat 98.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2436.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 212.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.5g	0%
Total Sugars 65.8g
Protein 34.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 180.9mg	0%
Iron 6.6mg	0%
Potassium 1187.0mg	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: 47.2%

Protein: 7.4%

Carbs: 45.3%