Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs
Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs – A bright and refreshing cold rice salad recipe that’s bursting with hearty wild rice, sweet blueberries, fresh herbs and a tangy citrus vinaigrette. You’ll love this easy summer salad for all of your potlucks and picnics!
Does anyone else consider summer to be the ultimate Salad Season?
As soon as the weather starts heating up, I start wanting to cool down with wonderfully chilled dishes for nearly every lunch and dinner. But don’t get yourself stuck in a rut thinking that your salad options are limited to leafy greens loaded with veggies. No hate, of course, but c’mon… There are only so many ways to make lettuce exciting.
My family loves hearty cold salads during the hotter months, and we have certainly tried many varieties. Our favorites include ones that offer a filling grain to make a full meal, fresh seasonal produce, terrifically crunchy seeds and nuts, and lots of herbs for incredible flavor.
This Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs is all that and then some, tossed together with a bright and zesty citrus vinaigrette.
You have got to try our perfect cold rice salad for your next summer potluck or picnic!
Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs
Speckled with fresh summer blueberries, herbs, pistachios, and a tangy orange and lime vinaigrette, this summer salad is rustic and filling, yet light and perky. You will love the fabulous contrast of flavor and textures!
Not only is Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs delicious and satisfying, it’s also quite a healthy dish. Because it is made with rice and is gluten-free, and is as well vegetarian, and dairy-free.
Plus, this summer salad recipe can be made ahead and enjoyed for several days.
Hands-down this is absolutely the best wild rice salad recipe you’ll try all season!
What Ingredients You Need
Our Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs is, obviously, made with wild rice. However, this refreshing recipe can also be made with basmati rice or brown rice.
Here are all of the ingredients needed to make a delicious cold Rice Salad:
- Dry wild rice
- Blueberries
- Scallions
- Shelled pistachios
- Mint leaves
- Dill
For the Citrus Vinaigrette:
- Orange
- Lime
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Salt and pepper
How to Make This Refreshingly Cold Summer Salad
It’s easy to make Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs in just a few simple steps. Most of the chopping and actual “work” is done while the rice cooks!
This is all you need to do:
1. First, cook the rice according to the package instructions. For wild rice, usually 2 cups of dry rice requires 6 cups of water, and approximately 45-50 minutes of covered cook time.
Once cooked, you want to allow the rice to completely cool.
2. Meanwhile, prep the other salad ingredients. Chop the herbs and pistachios, then zest and juice the orange and lime.
3. Then move the cooked and cooled wild rice to a large salad bowl. Add the ripe blueberries, diced scallions, chopped pistachios, mint, dill, orange zest and lime zest.
4. Next, make the citrus vinaigrette dressing. In a measuring pitcher, combine the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, honey, 1 ¼ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
Whisk the ingredients well, and then pour the dressing over the rice mixture. Toss to coat thoroughly.
Taste, and then add additional salt and pepper if needed.
Cover and refrigerate the salad until ready to serve.
Get the Complete (Printable) Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs Recipe Below. Enjoy!
This is a terrific dish for making a day or so ahead of having at your picnic or potluck!
But PRO TIP: If you plan to make the Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs more than 3 days in advance, it is best to add the fresh herbs right before servings. That way they will be perfectly perky fresh when you’re ready to enjoy!
Is Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs a Gluten-Free Dish?
Yes, it is naturally gluten-free!
Also, since it is made with healthy wild rice, this hearty salad is considered low(er) carb.
How Can I Make This a Vegan Summer Salad Recipe?
Our wild rice salad recipe is vegetarian and dairy-free, and it is also easy to make vegan by substituting the honey with agave syrup.
Looking for More Refreshing Summer Salads?
- Watermelon Feta Salad with Golden Tomatoes and Tarragon
- Summer Cobb Salad Recipe
- Italian Summer Pasta with Orange and Basil
- Chunky Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Grandma’s Best Ambrosia Salad
Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry wild rice
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 cup chopped scallions
- ½ cup shelled pistachios chopped
- ½ cup roughly chopped mint leaves
- ½ cup fresh chopped dill
- 1 large juicy orange zested and juiced
- 1 juicy lime zested and juiced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to the package instructions. (For wild rice, usually 2 cups of rice requires 6 cups of water, and approximately 45-50 minutes of covered cook time.) Allow the rice to cool.
- Meanwhile, chop the herbs and pistachios. Then zest and juice the citrus.
- Move the cooled wild rice to a large salad bowl. Add the blueberries, scallions, chopped pistachios, mint, dill, orange zest, and lime zest.
- In a measuring pitcher, combine the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, honey, 1 ¼ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Whisk well then pour over the rice mixture. Toss to coat.
- Taste, then add additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
I made this yesterday for lunch. I was amazed at the flavor combination – so bright and bursting! The texture is incredible. Had some of the leftovers today and it tastes even better the second day! I have found my new potluck recipe! Thanks!
Such a wonderful and unexpected blend of flavors!
This is really amazing! Love the combination of flavors!
Looks so delicious and interesting! I can’t wait to give this a try!