Cold Wild Rice Salad

Clean Plate Mama
by Clean Plate Mama
8 servings
2 hr

This hearty and nutritious wild rice salad is so easy to make. Made with apples, celery, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans. Everything is tossed in the most delicious orange vinaigrette. This salad is packed with nutritious ingredients, is naturally vegan, and gluten free. It's truly goodness in a bowl!


What are the benefits of wild rice? There are so many advantages when it comes to including wild rice in your diet. Wild rice is a high-antioxidant food and also high in fiber, zinc, iron, and a plethora of other nutrients.


This salad is perfect for the holidays, but is honestly delicious all year long!


Looking for more side dishes? Check out this Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes and easy coleslaw recipe.

Recipe details
  • 8  servings
  • Prep time: 1 Hours Cook time: 1 Hours Total time: 2 hr
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Ingredients
Ingredients for Salad
  • ▢ 1 cup un-cooked wild rice
  • ▢ 1 cup pecans
  • ▢ 1/4 cup chopped scallions (white and green parts)
  • ▢ 3/4 cup chopped celery (about 3 stalks)
  • ▢ 1/2 cup dried cranberries (recommend no sugar added)
  • ▢ 1 small chopped green apple
  • ▢ 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (optional, but I really like the flavor this adds)
Ingredients for the Dressing
  • ▢ 1 tsp. orange zest
  • ▢ 3 tbsp. fresh orange juice
  • ▢ 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • ▢ 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • ▢ 2 tbsp. pure maple syrup
  • ▢ 1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
  • ▢ 1/4 tsp. pepper
Instructions

To start, cook the wild rice according to package directions. After wild rice has cooked, spread out on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to cool.
While rice is cooking, toast the pecans, make the dressing, and prep remaining ingredients. ° Preheat oven to 350F. Place pecans on baking sheet that's been lined with parchment paper and bake for 6-9 minutes, stirring half way through. Pecans are done when slightly toasted and fragrant. Watch closely so they don't burn. Remove from oven, chop pecans, and set aside. °Place all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine. If you'd like the dressing to be sweeter, add additional maple syrup. If you'd like it tangier, reduce maple syrup and add an additional tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust to your liking.
After rice has cooked and cooled, add wild rice, toasted pecans, scallions, celery, dried cranberries, green apple, and parsley to a large bowl. Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss to combine.
Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to eat. Enjoy!
Tips
  • When making the dressing, strain the orange juice to get ride of all the pulp.
  • For quicker prep, make the wild rice the day before and store in the fridge overnight so the rice is already chilled.
  • If refrigerating until ready to eat, do not add the pecans until right before serving.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Clean Plate Mama
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