Name: Wild rice spinach salad with cranberries and mandarin oranges recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: ½ cup wild rice; Water; 1/2 cup fresh cranberries or ¼ cup dried cherries; 1-2 Tablespoons maple syrup; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1/4 cup thinly-sliced almonds; 3 ounces spinach (about 3 packed cups); ¼ cup mandarin oranges (or more to taste. If using canned, drain.); ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh basil (optional); 1/4 cup crumbled feta (or goat cheese, about 2 ounces); 2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar (white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar); 2-3 teaspoons orange zest grated; orange juice freshly squeezed ( from ½ of a orange); 2 teaspoons maple syrup; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons minced shallot – or more if you like a zippy salad dressing; ½ teaspoon Sea salt; ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Get ready for a winter salad that’s bursting with color and flavor! This cold Wild Rice Spinach Salad with Cranberries and Mandarin Oranges is a bright, festive side that’s perfect for holiday tables—or any cozy night in.

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Wild rice spinanch salad with cranberries and mandarin oranges in a white salad bowl sitting next to a white bowl holding fresh cranberries.

If you’re craving a salad with a little winter sparkle, this one has it all! Nutty wild rice, sweet mandarin oranges, and tangy fresh cranberries come together with creamy feta and toasted almonds for an unbeatable mix of textures and flavors. Tossed in an orange champagne vinaigrette, this cold wild rice salad is perfectly portioned for two, so you can enjoy a fresh, festive bite without any fuss.

Whether you're looking to add something vibrant to your holiday menu or just want a crisp, refreshing side, or I have been known to have it as my main dish this one is a must-try!

Tips for the Best Winter Salad

First, if you can get your hands on real, hand-harvested wild rice, go for it! You’ll usually find it in the bulk section of the grocery store or food coop, and it’s totally worth the little extra effort to seek it out. Real, hand-harvested wild rice has this beautiful brown, variegated look and cooks in just 15 to 20 minutes, so it’s perfect for a quick salad toss.

All wild grown grain in the U.S. comes from Minnesota lakes and is picked by hand, more likely than not by Native Americans. That said, if all you have is cultivated wild rice, that works too—just be ready to let it simmer for about twice as long.

And let’s talk cranberries! Fresh cranberries give this salad such a satisfying tart pop, and when you toss them with a little maple syrup, it balances that tartness just right. But if fresh cranberries are nowhere to be found, dried cranberries make a tasty swap.

So, grab what you can find, and let’s get this gorgeous salad ready to shine!

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Tips for the Best Winter Salad
Ingredients you'll need
How to make
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Wild rice spinach salad with cranberries and mandarin oranges recipe

Ingredients you'll need

Here’s everything you need to make this vibrant winter salad! Each ingredient brings something special, from the nutty wild rice to the tart cranberries and sweet mandarin oranges—all dressed up in a zesty orange champagne vinaigrette.

Wild rice spinach salad with cranberries and mandarin oranges ingredients in glass ingredient bowls and laying on top a white counter top.

Hand-harvested wild rice: This is the star of the show! Look for real, hand-harvested wild rice in the bulk section—it has a rich, nutty flavor and cooks up in about 15 to 20 minutes. If you’re using regular wild rice, just plan on doubling the cooking time.
Fresh cranberries (or dried): Fresh cranberries add a tart, juicy bite that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the oranges and maple syrup. But dried cranberries work too if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
Mandarin oranges: These sweet, juicy oranges are a burst of sunshine in every bite! Fresh segments or canned mandarins both work beautifully here.
Baby spinach: The base of the salad—light and tender with a subtle earthiness that balances all those bold, fruity flavors.
Feta cheese: Creamy and tangy, feta adds a lovely richness. You could also try goat cheese for a twist! Or skip the cheese, if you want to keep it dairy free.
Toasted almonds: A little crunch goes a long way! Toasting the almonds brings out their natural flavor and adds that perfect nutty crunch.
Maple syrup: Just a touch to sweeten the cranberries and balance the tartness of the vinaigrette.
Orange champagne vinaigrette: The finishing touch! This zesty dressing ties all the flavors together with a pop of citrus and a hint of sparkle from the champagne vinegar.ingredient 1

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make

This wild rice spinach salad with cranberries and mandarin oranges is fairly quick and easy to put together. And it's hearty enough to have as your main dish! Let's get started.

Wild rice in a saucepan covered with about 4 inches of water.

Step 1 | Prep the Wild Rice

Start by giving the rice a quick rinse in a colander under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove any excess starch and keeps the rice nice and fluffy! Then, pop it into a pot and cover with about 4 inches of water. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20-22 minutes, or until the kernels open up just a little.

Fresh cranberries being added to a saucepan with cooked wild rice.

Step 2 | Cook Cranberries

Once the rice is cooked, drain off all but about ¼ inch of water. Toss in those fresh cranberries (or dried if you're using them), cover, and set over low heat. Let it cook for about 5 more minutes until the cranberries pop open and add a beautiful tartness. Stir in a drizzle of maple syrup along with a pinch of salt and pepper, and set aside.

Step 3 | Toast the Almonds

Time to bring some nutty crunch to the mix! Grab a small dry skillet, add the almonds, and set it over medium-low heat. Stir frequently—these little guys like to toast up fast! After about 4-5 minutes, they should be golden and fragrant. Set them aside to cool.

Step 4 | Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the orange champagne vinaigrette. It’s super simple but adds such a fresh, bright flavor to the salad. Whisk until everything’s well blended and give it a little taste—you might be tempted to keep this recipe around just for the dressing!

Wild rice, spinach, cranberries, mandarin oranges, and toasted almonds in a bowl to make the wild rice spinach salad with cranberries and mandarin oranges.

Step 5 | Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, add the cooled rice-cranberry mixture, spinach, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, and crumbled feta. Pour in the dressing, then toss everything gently to combine. Give it a taste and add a pinch or two more of salt and pepper if needed. If it’s missing a bit of brightness, squeeze in a touch more orange juice.

Dressed wild rice spinach salad with cranberries and mandarin oranges in a white bowl sitting next to fresh cranberries.

Step 6 | Let the Salad Rest (Then Dig In!)

For the best flavor, let the salad sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This gives the wild rice a little time to soak up all that delicious dressing. If you’ve got leftovers, store them in the fridge for up to 2-3 days—just freshen up with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of orange when you’re ready to dive back in.

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Looking for other hearty winter salads for two like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with wild rice spinach salad with cranberries and mandarin oranges:

Wild rice spinach salad with cranberries and mandarin oranges

Tips for the Best Winter Salad

Ingredients you'll need