Warm wild rice pilaf with cranberries, pecans and goat cheese is a delicious combination of flavors and textures - perfect for holiday dinners or an anytime side dish!
It's holiday season and when we’ve got so much going on and the kiddos are around all day on break, I try to keep our meals simple.
Today’s warm wild rice pilaf with cranberries, pecans and goat cheese is a yummy way to jazz up a rice side dish without much extra effort.
And it smells seriously delicious as it’s cooking.
The aromatics of the onion and garlic and the mixed rice grains with the chicken broth. You’ll be excited for this to hurry up and be ready!
This easy side dish also has a great mix of flavors and textures - the tender wild rice grains mixed with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans and creamy goat cheeses crumbles that slightly melt into the hot rice.
It's gluten free, too, so it's great if you've got friends or family with dietary restrictions.
If you love wild rice like I do, be sure to also check out this curried wild rice salad and this all-in-one wild rice, sausage and kale bowl.
Recipe Notes:
I like to drizzle my rice salad with a little balsamic vinegar. Gives it a shot of sweetness and tartness. A squeeze of lemon juice would be lovely, too, but neither are necessary.
I also like to garnish this salad with parsley - a great addition if you have some on hand.
Nuts: I’ve used both pecans and walnuts before for this recipe - it’s delicious both ways. You could also try substituting your favorite nut.
I like to lightly toast my nuts in a small sauté pan over medium-low heat for just a few minutes to help bring out their great nutty flavor. It’s not necessary but it really does help enhance the taste.
Cheese: I’ve made this with ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, in place of the goat cheese, and that was delicious too.
Three cheers for easy, festive, delicious side dishes!
Happy holidays, friends!
XO,
Kathryn
Warm wild rice salad with cranberries, pecans and goat cheese
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup onion, diced small
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup wild rice, uncooked
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup walnuts or pecans, lightly toasted
- 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- salt and pepper, to taste
For serving (optional):
- Fresh chopped parsley, squeeze of lemon juice or drizzle of balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and sauté an additional 30 seconds.
- Add rice and stir to coat in the oils and onions, about 30 seconds.
- Add broth, increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook 13-15 minutes, until rice is cooked. Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes.
- Stir in dried cranberries, chopped nuts and crumbled goat cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve warm. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Dawn at Girl Heart Food
I can't believe where the time has gone either. I'm watching holiday movies and it literally seems like yesterday that I was watching them and it was last year! This year has gone by extra fast! I can't believe that this coming weekend is the big day! Really looking forward to it, though 🙂 Sounds like you had another fun weekend with your family. We had family over too and it was lots of fun! Start of the holidays, right? This salad has everything I love all piled into one delicious recipe. Love the pecans for texture and cranberries for that sweet/tartness. Plus, it's a nice switch up from all those heavier meals we have during the holidays....kinda guilt free 🙂 And, of course, love the suggestion of balsamic vinegar! Have a great week, my friend! XO
Kathryn
Yay for all the fun holiday movies! We've been a little lax in watching them so planning to catch up this week and next 😊 And yes - love that this salad is on the lighter side so I've got more room for all the yummy treats! XO
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Oh YAYYY! I'm thrilled you had a wonderful weekend with family, Kathryn!! That is what the holiday season is all about! Speaking of holidays, ummm yeah, I swear we just had Thanksgiving too!!! Seriously, it feels like that was 2 weeks ago. And before you know it, we will be in 2017. WHAT? Crazy. Anyways, yaaaahs to warm salads and heck yes to warm salad twinning!! Great minds!!! This salad is seriously calling my name, girlfriend!! I am loooving all the ingredients and components of this one! I'll be putting double goat cheese on mine. 😉 And I will NOT be skipping that balsamic drizzle! YES! Pinned! Cheers, friend! <3
Kathryn
I'm trying not to think about 2017 being so super close - that's just mind blowing! And yes - you go for the double goat cheese girl 😉 XO
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
I couldn't agree more - time seems to be going by at warp speed! Sounds like you got to enjoy some of it with your family. By the way, this quick, easy and delightfully delicious warm salad would be perfect any time of the year - I love the smell of garlic and onions sauteing! Here's hoping you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Kathryn
It's an intoxicating smell, isn't it Shashi?! And you're right - we love this salad no matter the time of year! I hope you and your family have a happy - and delicious! - holiday season 😊