One of the most important skills a home cook can have is the ability to improvise in the kitchen. I love creating recipes that serve as a jumping off point for you to customize how you like! This Wild Rice Salad is a perfect example and can accommodate whatever leftover bits you’ve got in your refrigerator!
This salad is essentially cooked wild rice, basil pesto, and some chopped vegetables. It leaves the door wide open for you to swap out the grains, use a different kind of sauce, and save those bits of produce in your fridge from becoming science projects.
I included a list of variations below – including adding some protein to make this an even heartier meal.
Wild Rice Salad Recipe Ingredients
- Wild rice – Cooked and cooled (from 1 cup uncooked)
- English cucumber
- Green onions
- Basil pesto
- Salt
- Pepper
How to make Cucumber Rice Salad
- Toss all of the ingredients together in a large serving bowl. Taste, and add additional pesto or salt, if needed
How to cook wild rice
Just like brown rice, friends. Most places online will tell you 3 cups water for 1 cup of rice, but I end up straining it when it’s done which bugs me and seems unnecessary if you just reduce the amount of water.
So I just use 2 cups of water for 1 cup of rice — like brown rice. It takes a while to cook, though (about 40-45 minutes on the stove top, also like brown rice).
How to cook wild rice in an Instant Pot
This is my preferred method, obv. Use the same ratio — 1 cup of rinsed rice plus 2 cups of water (along with a teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of oil, if you like) and cook it on high pressure for 30 minutes. Let the cooker release the steam naturally and then fluff it with a fork.
Tips for making Wild Rice Cold Salad
Whenever I make rice, I always make a little extra so this can be a super quick meal!
This is the base, feel free to add anything your heart desires (Or any leftovers!)
This wild rice salad is great on its own, but if you want some ideas on how to jazz it up, here are a few of my favorite add-ins.
Wild Rice Salad Add-ins
- Leftover cooked protein (shredded chicken/beef/pork, tuna & other cooked fish, beans)
- Other quick-prep vegetables (diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, diced avocado)
- Leftover roasted vegetables (broccoli, sweet potatoes, cauliflower)
- Cheeeeeese (goat cheese and feta are my fave for this)
- Different kinds of pesto (like cilantro pesto or dill pesto) or herbs + infused olive oil & vinegar.
- Misc quickies (nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts)
How to serve Cold Wild Rice Salad
This recipe can be served hot, at room temperature or chilled. It’s so versatile!
How to store Rice and Cucumber Rice
Give it a try and let me know what you think! I’d love to hear how you change it up.
Cold Wild Rice Salad
This salad only has FOUR ingredients. And it's a great jumping off point for throw-together lunches. Add some leftover shredded chicken, tuna, or beans to round it out as a complete meal!
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked and cooled wild rice (from 1 cup uncooked)
- 1/2 English cucumber, diced
- 2 green onions, trimmed and sliced thinly
- 1/3-1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toss all of the ingredients together in a large serving bowl. Taste, and add additional pesto or salt, if needed.
- Serve immediately.
Optional add-ins: Leftover shredded meat, canned tuna or beans, flavorful crumbly cheese (feta, parmesan, goat cheese), other chopped vegetables. You may need to add more pesto when you add extras to this salad.
Notes
Nat's Note: You can easily make this recipe dairy-free by making your own pesto! Use the recipe below:
Homemade Dairy-Free Basil Pesto:
2 packed cups fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup pine nuts
Juice from half a large lemon (about 2 Tablespoons)
1/2 garlic clove, smashed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
Combine everything except the oil into the workbowl of a food processor. Pulse until everything is minced finely. With the machine running, drizzle in the oil and run for about 10 seconds to blend well. Use immediately or cover and chill for up to 2 weeks.
It lasts for 2-3 days in the fridge in a lidded container.