Wild Rice Salad with Dried Cherries
Bursting with hearty texture and vibrant flavors, this Wild Rice Salad with Dried Cherries is the perfect combination of wholesome and indulgent. Earthy wild rice is paired with sweet-tart dried cherries, toasty slivered almonds, and a pop of freshness from parsley and red onion, creating a symphony of contrasting yet harmonious flavors. A simple, tangy-sweet vinaigrette made with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and honey ties everything together for a light yet satisfying dish. Ideal as a side for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or even a light lunch, this salad is both visually stunning and easy to prepare. Plus, it's naturally gluten-free and packed with nutrients, making it a healthy crowd-pleaser. Serve it chilled or at room temperature to let the flavors shine!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup wild rice
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 0.5 cup slivered almonds
- 0.25 cup red onion
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the wild rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer.
In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for about 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and some grains have split open.
Drain any excess liquid and let the wild rice cool to room temperature.
In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the slivered almonds until lightly golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Finely dice the red onion and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled wild rice, dried cherries, toasted almonds, red onion, and chopped parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, black pepper, and an optional pinch of salt to taste.
Pour the dressing over the wild rice mixture and toss until all ingredients are well-coated.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
376 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 18.3 g | 24% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.0 g | 10% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 505 mg | 22% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 50.4 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.2 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 31.8 g | ||
| Protein | 6.5 g | 13% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 91 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 434 mg | 9% | |
*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.
