Wild Rice And Pecan Dressing
A flavorful wild rice and pecan dressing featuring toasted pecans, hearty wild rice, and aromatic herbs, perfect as a side dish for festive or casual meals.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup uncooked wild rice ⓘ
- 2 1/2 cups water ⓘ
- 6 tablespoons butter ⓘ
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced ⓘ
- 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans ⓘ
- 1 slice whole-wheat bread, crumbled ⓘ
- 2 ounces turkey ham ⓘ
- 1 garlic clove, minced ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, packed ⓘ
Instructions
- Wash wild rice in 3 changes of hot tap water.
- Place the washed wild rice in a medium-sized saucepan with 2 1/2 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, toast the pecans before adding them to the dish. If you don't have turkey ham, diced cooked chicken or even mushrooms can be great substitutes. To enhance the dish, consider adding herbs like thyme or sage. Use leftover wild rice from other meals to save time and effort.
Serving Suggestions
This wild rice and pecan dressing pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or turkey, making it an excellent side for holiday meals. Serve it alongside German Sweet And Sour Beans And Carrots for a colorful plate, or enjoy it as a stuffing for bell peppers or squash.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover wild rice and pecan dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out and microwave until warmed through, or heat gently on the stove over low heat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Wild Rice And Pecan Dressing contains roughly 639 calories, with 19g protein, 77g carbohydrates, and 34g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (60% of the Daily Value), iron (54% of the Daily Value), and protein (37% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2357mg per serving (102% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the wild rice and sauté the onion and pecans a day in advance. Simply combine them when you're ready to bake. This allows flavors to meld beautifully, making the dressing even tastier.
What can I substitute for wild rice?
If wild rice isn't available, you can use a mix of brown rice and quinoa for a similar texture. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary, so adjust accordingly to ensure everything is cooked through.
Is this dressing gluten-free?
The traditional recipe includes whole-wheat bread, making it not gluten-free. To adapt it, simply substitute the bread with gluten-free bread or omit it entirely for a delicious grain-based dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).