Rustic Nine Mile Creek Trail Wild Rice Salad

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty wild rice salad featuring toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and a maple-Dijon vinaigrette inspired by Minnesota’s regional trails. This american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs uncooked wild rice, chopped toasted pecans, dried cranberries into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 6 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup uncooked wild rice under cold water and cook in 3 cups of boiling water for 45-50 minutes until the grains split and are tender. Drain excess water and let cool.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled wild rice with 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans, 1/3 cup dried cranberries, 3 thinly sliced green onions, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until the dressing emulsifies.
  4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the wild rice mixture and toss thoroughly to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Rustic Nine Mile Creek Trail Wild Rice Salad take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Rustic Nine Mile Creek Trail Wild Rice Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep uncooked wild rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Nine Mile Creek Trail Wild Rice Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Rustic Nine Mile Creek Trail Wild Rice Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Rustic Nine Mile Creek Trail Wild Rice Salad vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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