Barefoot Contessa’s Hearty Wild Rice Salad Recipe – A Fresh Twist

Wild rice salad brings vibrant textures and robust flavors to any gathering or weeknight meal.

This hearty dish combines multiple ingredients that dance together with surprising harmony.

Grains absorb delicate marinades while vegetables contribute crisp, refreshing notes that awaken the palate.

Nutty undertones from toasted almonds provide a delightful crunch that elevates each forkful.

Mediterranean-inspired elements infuse this recipe with complex yet approachable culinary excitement.

Seasonal ingredients transform an ordinary side dish into something extraordinary and memorable.

Prepare to experience a salad that will become your new favorite summer staple:

Why Wild Rice Salad Feels Nutty and Bright

• Burst with Vibrant Flavors: This wild rice salad combines a delightful medley of ingredients that dance together on your palate. Fresh green bell peppers, sweet peas, and juicy tomatoes create a colorful explosion of taste that transforms a simple side dish into a culinary adventure.
• Super Flexible Serving Style: Whether you're craving a warm comfort dish or a chilled refreshing salad, this recipe adapts perfectly. Enjoy it right after preparation for a warm, hearty meal or refrigerate for a cool, crisp summer side that's ideal for picnics and potlucks.
• Nutrient-Packed Powerhouse: Packed with wholesome wild rice, fresh vegetables, and protein-rich almonds, this salad delivers a nutritional punch. Each bite offers a balanced combination of textures and essential nutrients that support a healthy, energetic lifestyle.
• Effortlessly Elegant Preparation: With simple cooking methods and a straightforward dressing technique, this recipe welcomes both novice and experienced cooks. The jar-shake dressing and one-bowl mixing make preparation a breeze, turning meal preparation into an enjoyable, stress-free experience.

What You’ll Need for Barefoot Flavor

• Wild Rice: Hearty whole grain with nutty flavor, packed with nutrients and provides substantial texture to the salad.
• Water: Essential liquid for cooking rice to perfect tenderness and fluffy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances rice's natural flavor during cooking process.

• Artichoke Hearts, Peas: Tender vegetables adding delightful sweetness and soft texture to the salad.
• Green Bell Pepper: Crisp vegetable with mild, fresh flavor and nice crunch.
• Green Onions: Provides sharp, mild onion taste and bright color contrast.
• Tomatoes: Fresh ingredient bringing juicy sweetness and vibrant red color.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base for dressing that adds rich, silky texture.
• White Wine Vinegar: Tangy ingredient providing bright, acidic balance to the salad.
• Lemon Juice: Citrusy element that adds fresh, zesty flavor and helps prevent ingredient discoloration.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds complex, slightly spicy undertone to the dressing.
• Slivered Almonds: Crunchy topping that introduces nutty flavor and textural contrast.

How to Make Wild Rice Salad Work for Any Season

Step 1: Boil Wild Rice Blend

• Add water to a medium pot
• Sprinkle salt into water
• Pour wild rice into boiling water
• Reduce heat to low
• Cover pot with lid
• Simmer for 50-60 minutes
• Drain excess liquid if needed
• Let rice cool to room temperature

Step 2: Create Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• White wine vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Fresh lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a glass jar

Seal jar tightly

Shake vigorously until fully blended

Refrigerate until ready to use

Step 3: Chop Fresh Vegetables

• Artichoke hearts
• Green bell peppers
• Green onions
• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Step 4: Combine Salad Components

Mix cooled wild rice in a large serving bowl

Add chopped vegetables

Pour half the prepared dressing

Gently toss ingredients

Ensure even coating of dressing

Step 5: Finish and Garnish

Sprinkle toasted slivered almonds on top

Add remaining dressing

Season with extra salt and pepper

Serve chilled or at room temperature

Enjoy within 2-3 days when stored in refrigerator

Tips for Fluffier Grains and Crisp Veggies

• Rinse Wild Rice Thoroughly: Ensure your wild rice cooks perfectly by washing it under cold water, which removes excess starch and prevents clumping during preparation.
• Marinate Dressing Ahead: Create a more intense flavor profile by mixing the dressing ingredients at least an hour before combining with the salad, allowing herbs and spices to meld together beautifully.
• Leverage Artichoke Marinade: Transform your dressing by using the reserved artichoke heart liquid, adding a subtle tangy complexity that elevates the entire salad's taste experience.
• Taste and Tweak Seasoning: Check the salad's flavor just before serving, making final adjustments with salt and pepper to ensure a perfectly balanced and delicious dish.
• Crunch Protection Strategy: Sprinkle toasted almonds at the last moment to preserve their crisp texture, creating a delightful contrast against the soft rice and vegetables.

How to Store This Salad Right

• Airtight Container Strategy: Transfer the wild rice salad into a sealed glass or hard plastic container with a secure lid. Glass containers prevent flavor absorption and maintain the salad's crisp texture better than plastic alternatives.
• Temperature Control: Store immediately in the refrigerator's main compartment at 40°F or lower. Position the container away from raw meats to prevent potential cross-contamination and preserve the salad's freshness.
• Moisture Management: Place a paper towel underneath the salad before sealing to absorb excess moisture. This technique helps prevent soggy ingredients and maintains the salad's original crunch and vibrant flavors during storage.

Wild Rice Variations Worth Adding

• Mediterranean Medley: Replace artichoke hearts with roasted red peppers and add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version that brings tangy Mediterranean flavors to the classic wild rice salad.
• Southwestern Spice: Swap green bell peppers for roasted poblano peppers, add black beans, fresh corn kernels, and a splash of lime juice to create a zesty southwestern-style wild rice salad with a kicked-up profile.
• Asian Fusion Blend: Incorporate edamame, diced cucumber, julienned carrots, and replace the original dressing with a sesame-ginger vinaigrette to transform the wild rice salad into an Asian-inspired cold side dish with vibrant, fresh ingredients.
• Protein Power Bowl: Mix in grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crispy tofu cubes to turn the salad into a substantial main course that provides extra protein and makes the dish more filling for lunch or dinner.

Wild Rice Recap

Wild Rice Salad emerges as culinary magic, blending Mediterranean influences with hearty grains.

Artichoke hearts and vibrant vegetables dance through each forkful, creating harmonious flavor profiles.

Barefoot Contessa’s signature touch transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular dish.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe welcomes home cooks into gourmet territory.

Dressing notes of citrus and herbs elevate humble ingredients into something remarkable.

Passionate palates will discover layers of texture and complexity that make this salad an instant classic – so grab those ingredients, craft this masterpiece, and share your delicious dish with friends who crave something extraordinary.

Bon appétit!

Barefoot Contessa Wild Rice Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Wild Rice Salad delivers Mediterranean-inspired freshness with orange zest, green onions, and toasted almonds. Bold flavors and crunchy textures invite you to savor this refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings or elegant side servings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup wild rice
• 1 (175g) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
• 1 (175g) green peas, drained
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• ⅓ cup green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 3 green onions, chopped

Additional Ingredients for Cooking:

• 480 milliliters (16.2 fluid ounces) water
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste, for cooking rice)

Dressing and Garnish Ingredients:

• 320 milliliters (10.8 fluid ounces) rapeseed oil
• 120 milliliters (4 fluid ounces) white vinegar
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ cup toasted slivered almonds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Initiate rice preparation by bringing water and salt to a rolling boil in a 1-liter (34 fluid ounces) pot equipped with a secure lid. Gently introduce rice grains, stirring thoroughly to prevent sticking, then reduce heat to low, cover, and allow to simmer for 45-60 minutes until perfectly tender.
2. Craft the dressing by combining all liquid and dry ingredients in a tightly sealed glass jar. Vigorously shake the container to ensure complete ingredient integration, then refrigerate to enhance flavor melding.
3. Construct the salad foundation by transferring cooked rice into a spacious mixing vessel. Systematically layer artichoke hearts, sweet green peas, crisp green bell peppers, delicate green onions, and vibrant tomatoes throughout the rice base.
4. Distribute the prepared dressing evenly across the vegetable and rice medley, gently folding ingredients to ensure comprehensive coating. If available, incorporate reserved marinade for additional depth of flavor.
5. Select serving temperature preference: enjoy immediately while warm or allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for enhanced taste development. Prior to presentation, perform a final taste assessment, adjusting seasoning as necessary.
6. Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and textural complexity by delicately sprinkling toasted slivered almonds across the surface, creating a delightful crunch and nutty undertone.

Notes

• Crunch Factor Matters. Toast almonds until golden brown to release their rich, nutty flavor and provide a satisfying crisp texture throughout the salad.
• Flavor Fusion Technique. Let the dressing sit for an hour to allow herbs and spices to meld together, creating a more complex and vibrant taste profile.
• Liquid Gold Trick. Use the reserved artichoke marinade as a secret flavor booster, adding unexpected tanginess and depth to the overall dish.
• Seasoning Precision. Sample the salad moments before serving, carefully adjusting salt and pepper to elevate the final taste experience.
• Texture Transformation. Incorporate almonds at the last possible moment to ensure maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy disappointment.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 278 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 329 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 4 mg