Apple Walnut Wild Rice Salad Recipe
This Apple Walnut Wild Rice Salad is a hearty and refreshing dish featuring nutty wild rice, crisp diced apples, and crunchy toasted walnuts. Tossed in a light maple vinaigrette, it is a vibrant, make-ahead salad perfect for lunches or side dishes that holds its texture and flavor beautifully for several days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (assuming rice is pre-cooked)
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups cooked wild rice
- 1 apple, diced
- ½ cup walnuts, toasted
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar until well combined to create a smooth vinaigrette.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the cooked wild rice, diced apple, and toasted walnuts into the bowl with the dressing, using a wooden spoon to gently toss everything together ensuring each component is evenly coated.
- Season and Chill: Season the salad with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill before serving.
- Serve: Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing. Optionally, garnish with extra toasted walnuts or fresh herbs like parsley for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- This salad keeps well refrigerated for 3 to 4 days, making it excellent for meal prep.
- Toss the salad again before serving to refresh the dressing distribution.
- To toast walnuts, spread them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- For added freshness, consider adding chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme before serving.
Keywords: wild rice salad, apple walnut salad, maple vinaigrette, make-ahead salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, lunch salad
Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/apple-walnut-wild-rice-salad-recipe/
