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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Published: Mar 12, 2020 · Modified: Jul 28, 2023 by Claire · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases · Leave a Comment

    Summer Wild Rice Salad (without Mayo)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This summer wild rice salad without mayo is full of flavor with pops of pomegranate, herbs and a tasty honey garlic dressing. So easy to make with simple ingredients, it's equally delicious as a healthy lunch, or as a side salad for summer picnics, potlucks or BBQs!

    Do check out my arugula quinoa salad for another grain salad that's such a tasty side dish!

    summer wild rice salad with pomegranate seeds on a white plate with a small bowl of dressing next to it.

    Summer salads are such a go-to, whether for a healthy lunch or as a light dish to take to picnics and potlucks. My nutty wild rice salad, mango cucumber salad and quinoa tabbouleh are all healthy and easy to make!

    This summer rice salad recipe is so easy to make, and packed with healthy ingredients. Pomegranate seeds give a lovely sweetness, and apple and celery a good crunch and a bit of a fall salad vibe.

    I think you'll love the versatility of this salad too! Serve as a light lunch, perhaps with some fresh cheese, or as a rice dish for BBQs or evening meals.

    Jump to:
    • ⭐ Why this recipe is so good
    •  🥗 Ingredients
    • 🥬 Optional add-ins
    • 🔪 Step by step instructions
    • 💭 Recipe tips and notes
    • 📋 Frequently asked questions
    • 🥬 More healthy salads
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ⭐ Why this recipe is so good

    Simple ingredients. We use what I like to think of as fridge and pantry staples to make this easy wild rice salad, with nothing that is tricky to find in stores.

    Versatile. Serve as a healthy vegetarian lunch, or as a side dish with BBQ food or as picnic food for summer events.

    Easy to make. Other than cooking the rice, all we need to do is a bit of chopping of fruit and veggies!

     🥗 Ingredients

    individually labelled ingredients to make summer wild rice salad including pomegranate seeds, apple, celery and pumpkin seeds.

    Make sure to check the recipe card below for the full ingredients and their quantities!

    The main ingredients you will need for this wild rice salad recipe are:

    • Wild rice - a really nice alternative to regular white rice, and has a great nutty taste. In this recipe I use a wild rice mix because it feels a little lighter, but you can also use solely wild rice if you prefer.
    • Apple and celery - the crunchy vegetables of the salad. Use fresh produce and dice to as small or large pieces as you like.
    • Pomegranate seeds - these give a lovely pop of sweetness.
    • Pumpkin seeds - for the best crunch! Make sure to use unflavored seeds that are not salted.
    • Olive oil, vinegar, honey and garlic - the pantry staples we use to make the dressing.

    🥬 Optional add-ins

    Although you can easily serve this summer wild rice salad as it is for lunch or as a side dish, you can always add a few more ingredients to make it more hearty:

    • Arugula or lamb's lettuce - to add some leafy greens.
    • Fresh cheeses - scatter some torn pieces of mozzarella or, if it works for you, some feta cheese over the salad.
    • Grated carrot - to add a touch of sweetness.
    • Nuts and seeds - sprinkle over some more pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds or unsalted crushed pistachios for plant-based protein.

    🔪 Step by step instructions

    This summer wild rice salad has four main steps, and all are very easy to do:

    wild rice mix in a metal pot on a stove top labelled number one.

    Step 1: Cook wild rice

    Cook your wild rice (or wild rice mix) according to packet instructions (image 1). Set aside to cool.

    diced celery, apple and green onion on a wooden chopping board labelled number two.

    Step 2: Dice the fruit and veggies

    Dice the apple, celery and green onion into small pieces (image 2).

    Recipe tip: Dice the apple just before you add to the salad as it will brown quickly.

    honey salad dressing in a glass jar labelled number three.

    Step 3: Make the dressing

    Combine extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic, salt and black pepper in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or stir to emulsify the dressing (image 3).

    summer wild rice salad ingredients in a glass bowl labelled number four.

    Step 4: Make the wild rice salad

    Combine the cooked wild rice with the apple, celery, pomegranate, green onion, parsley and pumpkin seeds in a large bowl. Drizzle over the dressing and toss the salad (image 4). Spoon onto your serving plate.

    💭 Recipe tips and notes

    • You can make this solely with wild rice as an alternative, but personally I feel that a wild rice mix is a little lighter for summer.
    • If you prefer to keep the recipe vegan, then swap out the honey for a touch of maple syrup or agave nectar.
    • Dice the apple just before use as it will brown quickly.
    • Adjust quantities or ratios of the fruit and vegetables to taste preference.

    📋 Frequently asked questions

    What is wild rice?

    As described by Healthline, wild rice isn't actually rice at all, but the seed of an aquatic grass.

    What does wild rice taste like?

    Wild rice has a slightly nutty taste, with a chewy texture.

    Can I use a wild rice mix for this salad?

    You can either use all wild rice or a wild rice mix. A wild rice mix is a more affordable option.

    How can I make this summer wild rice salad more hearty for a lunch?

    You can add mozzarella cheese (or feta cheese if it works for you) to the salad, or grilled chicken or turkey. For a vegan option, more nuts and seeds adds protein.

    summer wild rice salad on a white plate with a small bowl of dressing next to it.

    🥬 More healthy salads

    Fresh and light, there are so many fun salads to choose from for lunch or to take to a picnic or BBQ, including my cucumber beet salad and my turkey vegetable pasta salad. Some recent recipes to try:

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    • fennel cucumber salad on a white plate next to wooden salad servers and fresh dill.
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    I’m always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes. And please do leave a star rating ⭐⭐⭐ if you've tried the recipe!

    📖 Recipe

    wild rice salad on a white plate with a small bowl of dressing next to it.

    Summer Wild Rice Salad

    Claire
    This summer wild rice salad is a fun and healthy recipe that combines crisp apple and celery with wild rice, and a honey garlic dressing. A lovely lunch or light dinner, or a side salad with other dishes for a BBQ or picnic. Serves 2 as a main dish, or 4 people as a side salad.
    5 from 1 vote
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 17 minutes mins
    Total Time 27 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, British
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 345 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the wild rice salad

    • ½ cup wild rice or wild rice mix
    • 1 small apple cored, diced
    • ½ celery stick diced
    • 2 tablespoon pomegranate seeds
    • 1 tablespoon pepitas / pumpkin seeds
    • small handful parsley diced
    • 1 green onion dice, optional

    For the honey dressing

    • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1.5 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or white distilled vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • ½ garlic clove minced, optional
    • pinch salt
    • pinch black pepper optional

    Instructions
     

    • Cook your wild rice according to packet instructions. Set aside to cool.
    • Make the dressing by combining the ingredients in a small bowl and whisking together.
    • Once the wild rice has cooled, transfer to a bowl and combine with the diced apple, celery, pepitas, pomegranate seeds, green onion (if using) and parsley. Drizzle over the dressing. Then plate up, and enjoy!

    Notes

    • You can make this solely with wild rice as an alternative, but personally I feel that a wild rice mix is a little lighter for summer (and more affordable).
    • Dice the apple just before serving as it can brown quickly.
    • If you prefer to keep the recipe vegan, then swap out the honey for a touch of maple syrup or agave nectar.
    • Nutritional information is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
     
    Swiss Interest Group Histamine Intolerance
    All ingredients score 0 on the SIGHI list, with the exception of:
    • apple cider vinegar, which scores 1.
    • black pepper, which scores 2, although the SIGHI list states that small amounts are tolerated.
    • green onion, which is not scored on the SIGHI list.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 8gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 321mgFiber: 5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 97IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @lowhistaminekitchen or tag #lowhistaminekitchen!
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    Hi, I’m Claire. After a diagnosis of MCAS I began to follow a low histamine diet, which has helped me manage my symptoms. Here I hope to show that a restrictive diet can still be full of flavourful meals, and help you enjoy being creative in the kitchen.

    More about me →

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