Wild Rice Salad with Butternut Squash & Cranberries

Enjoy this Wild Rice Salad with Butternut Squash & Cranberries recipe on its own for lunch or for an easy dinner. Or serve as a delicious side dish for gatherings.

5 from 1 vote

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Wild Rice Salad with Butternut Squash & Cranberries

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time1 hr

Course: Main Course, Salad

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6

Calories: 422kcal

Author: Hannah Sunderani

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• ▢ 1½ cups (240 g) wild rice or wild rice blend
• ▢ 3½ cups (830 mL) water
• ▢ 1 (2-pound/1-kg) butternut squash
• ▢ 2 tablespoons (30 mL) neutral oil
• ▢ ½ teaspoon (3 g) kosher or fine sea salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon (0.6 g) freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ 2 celery stalks , chopped
• ▢ 2 cups chopped kale , stems removed
• ▢ ½ cup (30 g) parsley, chopped
• ▢ ½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries
• ▢ ½ cup (55 g) pecans

For the Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:

• ▢ 3 tablespoons (45 mL) balsamic vinegar
• ▢ 3 tablespoons (45 mL) olive oil
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon (0.7 g) cinnamon
• ▢ 1 clove garlic , minced
• ▢ 2 teaspoons (10 mL) Dijon mustard
• ▢ 1 tablespoon (15 mL) pure maple syrup
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon (1.5 g) kosher or fine sea salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon (0.6 g) freshly ground black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• ▢
  Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• ▢
  In a saucepan, combine rice and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer and cook for 40 minutes, or as instructed on package. Fluff with a spoon and cover with a tea towel. Let rest.
• ▢
  Meanwhile, peel and chop the butternut squash into small bite-sized cubes. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly golden and cooked through.
• ▢
  Prepare vinaigrette by combining all dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
• ▢
  Add celery, kale, and parsley to a large mixing bowl. Toss in cranberries and pecans, and then add rice and butternut squash. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Wild Rice Salad with Butternut Squash & Cranberries

Amount Per Serving

Calories 422 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Sodium 339mg14%

Potassium 798mg23%

Carbohydrates 60g20%

Fiber 7g28%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 15940IU319%

Vitamin C 60mg73%

Calcium 125mg13%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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