Chaska Chanhassen Shady Oak Lake Inspired Wild Rice Pilaf

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-27 · Updated 2026-05-27

Nutty wild rice pilaf with toasted almonds, cranberries, and fresh herbs, inspired by the natural beauty along the Minnesota River Bluffs Trail. This American-inspired rice and grain recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 60 minutes, pairs wild rice blend, vegetable broth, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups wild rice blend
• 3 1/4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 stalk (1/4 cup) celery stalk, finely diced
• 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 1/2 cups wild rice blend under cold water and drain.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion and 1/4 cup finely diced celery stalk; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
3. Step 3: Add the rinsed wild rice to the saucepan and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently until grains are fragrant.
4. Step 4: Pour in 3 1/4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-50 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and fluff rice with a fork. Stir in 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds, 1/3 cup dried cranberries, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed before serving.