Best 8 Classic Minnesota Wild Rice Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

In the heart of the Upper Midwest lies a culinary gem embodying the spirit of Minnesota's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage - the Classic Minnesota Wild Rice Salad. This delectable dish, deeply rooted in Native American traditions, is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that captivates the senses. The nutty, earthy notes of wild rice, harvested from the pristine lakes and rivers of Minnesota, dance in perfect harmony with the crunch of crisp vegetables, the sweetness of dried fruit, and the tangy dressing. With its vibrant colors, delightful textures, and wholesome goodness, the Classic Minnesota Wild Rice Salad is a celebration of the state's bountiful harvest and culinary creativity.

This article offers a comprehensive guide to crafting this iconic salad, featuring three variations that cater to diverse dietary preferences and taste buds. The first recipe stays true to the traditional version, highlighting the classic combination of wild rice, celery, onion, and red bell pepper tossed in a tangy vinaigrette dressing. The second recipe introduces a vegetarian twist, incorporating roasted sweet potatoes and black beans for added protein and a touch of smokiness. For those seeking a gluten-free option, the third recipe replaces the traditional wheat berries with quinoa, creating a lighter and equally flavorful rendition.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or a culinary novice, these recipes provide clear instructions and helpful tips to ensure success. Detailed ingredient lists, step-by-step instructions, and insightful notes guide you through the process, making it easy to recreate this Minnesota culinary treasure in your own kitchen. So, embark on this culinary journey, savor the flavors of the North Star State, and let the Classic Minnesota Wild Rice Salad take you on a delightful adventure of taste and tradition.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

WILD RICE SALAD



Wild Rice Salad image

Easy to make and tastes wonderful. You can use either turkey or chicken. You can serve it plain, on salad greens, or in a pita. Very versatile. If in season, try substituting black cherries for the grapes.

Provided by GINNYKAE

Categories     Salad     Grains     Rice Salad Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (6 ounce) package wild rice
¾ cup light mayonnaise
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon white sugar
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups cooked, cubed turkey meat
¼ cup diced green onion
1 cup seedless red grapes
6 ounces blanched slivered almonds

Steps:

  • Cook rice according to package directions. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir in rice, turkey, onion and grapes until evenly coated with dressing. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
  • Before serving, sprinkle slivered almonds over the top of the salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 221.2 calories, Carbohydrate 14.3 g, Cholesterol 22.9 mg, Fat 13.4 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 11.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 138.1 mg, Sugar 4.1 g

NORTHWOODS WILD RICE SALAD



Northwoods Wild Rice Salad image

This is my Minnesota version of a vintage German slaw served at church suppers. The wild rice has a nutty flavor that's perfect with tangy sauerkraut. -Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

2/3 cup uncooked wild rice
2 cans (14 ounces each) sauerkraut, rinsed and well drained
1 medium apple, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup shredded carrot (about 1 large carrot)
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
DRESSING:
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cider vinegar
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Steps:

  • Cook wild rice according to package directions. Cool completely., In a large bowl, combine sauerkraut, apple, celery, carrot, onion and cooled rice. In a small bowl, whisk the first five dressing ingredients until sugar is dissolved; stir in herbs. Add to sauerkraut mixture; toss to combine., Refrigerate, covered, at least 4 hours to allow flavors to blend. Stir in walnuts just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 290 calories, Fat 17g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 747mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

WILD RICE SALAD



Wild Rice Salad image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 1h50m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup long-grain wild rice (6 ounces)
Kosher salt
2 navel oranges
2 tablespoons good olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
1/2 cup seedless green grapes, cut in half
1/2 cup pecans, toasted
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons scallions, white and green parts, chopped
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Place the wild rice in a medium pot with 4 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of salt and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, until the rice is very tender. Drain well and place the rice back in the pot. Cover and allow to steam for 10 minutes. While the rice is still warm, place it in a mixing bowl. Peel the oranges with a sharp knife, removing all the white pith. Cut between the membranes and add the orange sections to the bowl with the rice. Add the olive oil, orange juice, raspberry vinegar, grapes, pecans, cranberries, scallions, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the pepper. Allow to sit for 30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Taste for seasonings and serve at room temperature.

MINNESOTA WILD RICE SALAD



Minnesota Wild Rice Salad image

Everyone thinks this is one of my best salads because it features wild rice-a major crop in my home state of Minnesota. Cashews give a subtle nutty flavor.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h

Yield 8-10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

6 cups water
3/4 cup uncooked wild rice
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
2-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 can (8 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained and halved
2 cups sliced celery
1-1/2 cups seedless grapes, halved
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup chutney
3/4 cup cashew pieces

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover tightly and simmer for 50 minutes. Cool; drain if necessary. In a large bowl, combine rice, chicken, pineapple, celery, grapes, mayonnaise, chutney and remaining salt. Cover and chill until ready to serve; toss with cashews.

Nutrition Facts :

WILD RICE SALAD



Wild Rice Salad image

Since I spend part of my summers in northern Minnesota near the wild rice fields. I have tried many recipes featuring this delicious, nutty-flavored grain in the past 46 years. This salad is often requested by family and friends! -Florence Jacoby, Granite Falls, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup uncooked wild rice
Seasoned salt, optional
2 cups diced cooked chicken
1-1/2 cups halved green grapes
1 cup sliced water chestnuts, drained
3/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 cup cashews, optional
Lettuce leaves

Steps:

  • Cook rice according to package directions, omitting salt or substituting seasoned salt if desired. Drain well; cool to room temperature. Spoon into a large bowl; add chicken, grapes, water chestnuts and mayonnaise. Toss gently with a fork. Cover and chill., Just before serving, add cashews if desired. Serve on lettuce leaves or line a bowl with lettuce leaves and fill with salad.

Nutrition Facts :

WILD RICE PILAF



Wild Rice Pilaf image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
Kosher salt
2 cups pure wild rice (10 to 12 ounces)
1/4 cup finely chopped scallions, white and green parts (2 scallions)
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan, add the onion, and cook over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until translucent. Add 5 cups of water, 2 teaspoons of salt, and the wild rice. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to very low, and simmer, covered, for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the rice is tender. Drain well.
  • Place the drained rice in a bowl, add the remaining tablespoon of butter, the scallions, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper. Taste for seasonings and serve hot.

MINNESOTA WILD RICE SALAD



Minnesota Wild Rice Salad image

Make and share this Minnesota Wild Rice Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Amy DuRay

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 55m

Yield 1 salad, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups cooked wild rice
4 chopped hard-boiled eggs
1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
1/4 cup sliced green olives
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • I a bowl, combine rice, eggs, cheese, Miacle Whip olives.
  • Mix well.
  • Chill for atleast 2 hours.
  • Just before serving, add pecans.
  • Toss.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 571.1, Fat 25.3, SaturatedFat 8.6, Cholesterol 241.7, Sodium 243, Carbohydrate 62.7, Fiber 6.3, Sugar 3.2, Protein 26.4

COLD WILD RICE SALAD



Cold Wild Rice Salad image

A refreshing, delicious, colorful wild rice salad that is served cold. Great as a main dish or side dish.

Provided by Karen Quinn

Categories     Rice Salad

Time 4h45m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 18

4 (6 ounce) packages long grain and wild rice mix (such as Uncle Ben's®)
8 ½ cups chicken broth
½ cup pine nuts
2 teaspoons walnut oil
1 cup roughly chopped walnuts
1 medium green bell pepper, minced
1 medium yellow bell pepper, minced
1 medium red bell pepper, minced
1 cup minced celery
1 cup dried cranberries
½ cup thinly sliced scallions
⅔ cup rice vinegar
½ cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup walnut oil

Steps:

  • Discard seasoning packets from the rice and place rice in a large saucepan. Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until water is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Spread rice on a baking sheet to cool.
  • While the rice is cooling, toast pine nuts in a dry frying pan over low heat until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove to a large bowl.
  • Add walnut oil to the same pan, then add walnuts. Toast until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add walnuts to the pine nuts.
  • Add cooled rice to the nuts, along with bell peppers, celery, cranberries, and scallions; toss well.
  • Blend rice vinegar, basil, Dijon, garlic, and pepper for dressing in a food processor. Slowly drizzle olive oil and walnut oil through the chute with the motor running until combined.
  • Add dressing the the rice salad and toss well. Chill for 4 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 395.3 calories, Carbohydrate 43.5 g, Cholesterol 3.2 mg, Fat 22.1 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 7.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 1296.1 mg, Sugar 8 g

Tips:

  • Use the right type of wild rice. There are two main types of wild rice: long-grain and short-grain. Long-grain wild rice is more common and has a nutty flavor. Short-grain wild rice is less common and has a more earthy flavor. Both types of wild rice can be used in this salad, but long-grain wild rice is the more traditional choice.
  • Cook the wild rice properly. Wild rice takes longer to cook than white rice. Be sure to follow the package directions for cooking wild rice.
  • Use fresh, seasonal produce. The best wild rice salad is made with fresh, seasonal produce. This will give your salad the best flavor and texture.
  • Don't overdress the salad. Wild rice salad is best when it is lightly dressed. Too much dressing can overwhelm the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Serve the salad chilled. Wild rice salad is best served chilled. This will help the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion:

Wild rice salad is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With its nutty flavor and chewy texture, wild rice salad is a surefire hit. So next time you are looking for a healthy and delicious salad, give wild rice salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics