This vegan recipe for Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes and Walnuts makes a delicious fall side dish - and it's perfect for Thanksgiving! Wild rice is tossed with oven-roasted red grapes, shallots, and toasted walnuts.
Discovering old favorites is awesome, right? So here's another old favorite: wild rice!
Wild rice is not as cool and happening as quinoa or freekeh, but you shouldn't forget about it because it too is a delicious whole grain. (And did you know it's actually a grass and not rice at all? It's a fact!)
Wild rice is one of those things that I rarely make, but whenever I do, I think, "I need to make this more often." And then I don't because I don't really know what to do with it.
Well, here's what I did with it. I roasted some grapes and sliced shallots and tossed them with wild rice, walnuts, and sage.
It's simple, but delicious - it's one of those recipes that seems like there's not much to it and you don't expect it to blow you away when you try it, but then it does. Yes, I'm telling you that this wild rice recipe will blow your mind.
If you haven't had roasted grapes before, I'm pretty sure they're about to be your new favorite thing.
This wild rice with grapes makes a totally delicious one bowl meal all year long. But it's especially perfect as a Thanksgiving side dish.
Hearty enough to eat a bowl for dinner - but delicious enough that your non-vegetarian guests will love a scoop as a side. Win-win!
More Recipes
If you're here looking for more holiday recipe ideas, be sure to check out our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas Cookbooks!
And if you love this wild rice, don't miss these other tasty ideas:
- Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup
- Wild Rice and Mushroom Casserole
- Wild Rice & Roasted Root Vegetable Bowls
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups red seedless grapes
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 1 cup wild rice, cooked according to package directions
- ½ cup walnut pieces, toasted
- 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoon olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Toss the grapes and shallot with 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Transfer to a baking sheet that's been sprayed with oil or lined with parchment paper and roast for about 20 minutes, or until the grapes are softened, but not burst.
- Transfer the grapes and shallot to a large bowl. Add rice, walnuts, remaining oil, vinegar, and sage; gently toss, careful not to smash the grapes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
Yes! I love this! My very firs thought when I saw your post was that wild rice doesn't get nearly as much love as it deserves. I had roasted grapes for the first time last month.....just, wow! Perfect fall side dish!
Kiersten says
It really doesn't! Although when I Googled it, apparently it's considered a delicacy. Maybe that's why?
Caitlin says
haha..i want to see you sing the rock of love theme song 😉
i've been meaning to get some wild rice, too. it's been way too long. and i love it!
Kiersten says
No, you probably don't. 😉 Chris says my singing voice sounds like an animal in distress.
Grace @ Earthy Feast says
Confession: I've never tried roasted grapes! I need to get on that! I'm crazy about wild rice and the combination sounds like it would great together.
Kiersten says
You definitely need to! They are amazing!
Pure Ella says
Yes, working out to tv is totally acceptable! It's the fun way to get in shape and it's the best way to multitask 😉 (I always did it when my husband and I watched Breaking Bad and I would have a mat out with dumpbells - drove him nuts) but I felt I was so productive and used the time well ;))
The wild rice with roasted grapes sounds amazing!
I love wild rice but it's also one of those things I don't make as often. When I do, I cook a double or triple batch and then freeze a portion that's been drained well - that way it's super quick to thaw a serving anytime for a quick dinner.
I look forward to trying this recipe! 😉
xox ella
Kiersten says
I used to watch Breaking Bad with my husband, but I am really squeamish, so I had to stop. I am so low-brow when it comes to TV. The only non-embarrassing thing I watch is Mad Men.
I LOVE making big batches of grains and freezing them too--so convenient!
Jane says
Love the scallop-edged bowls in your photos (wild rice looks great too!)
Kiersten says
Thank you! The bowls are from Anthropologie. They're my favorite! 🙂
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
I've been so excited to try roasting grapes! I'm a virgin in that department....I know, so sad. This looks divine, especially with the sage and walnuts!
Kiersten says
Try them, try them! They're really good with Brussels sprouts too. 🙂
Ash-foodfashionparty says
I am a big fan of black and wild rice and I have a great recipe here. The grapes and walnuts are sure a great touch, I can how well of this belong together. Yum dish.
Suzanne @ hello, veggy! says
This is going to be perfect for Thanksgiving this weekend!!
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green says
Roasted grapes? Whhhat. What an interesting recipe! I'm going to have to try this.
Kiersten says
Yes, you need to try roasted grapes! I know it sounds crazy, but they are REALLY good. 🙂
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I grew up in MN, where tons of wild rice is harvested. This would have been a childhood staple, minus the roasted grapes (which I love!) And I have that bowl as well. So versatile!
Kiersten says
Those are my go-to bowls! They're such a nice size.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I have to admit, I am not a fan of wild rice but I love everything else about this recipe. I keep meaning to try roasting grapes too. They sound amazing.
And I agree, watching reality garbage is completely acceptable if you workout while doing it. Even if it's all day long! 😉
Kiersten says
If you don't like wild rice, I think wheat berries would work too. I was actually thinking about making the recipe with wheat berries originally. 🙂
Eat Good 4 Life says
I have never prepared wild rice before. I have seen it so many times at the grocery store but never purchased it. I think now I will. Even though it is pricy I am sure it is well worth it.
Kiersten says
I usually buy it from the bulk section or stock up when I see it on sale in order to save money. 🙂
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Roasted grapes?!?! I can't wait to try! Too bad I just bought approximately 75 pounds of green grapes at Sam's Club this morning. Next time - I'm getting red so I can make this!
My kids LOVE rice. In any form. I don't know why - I can't explain it. But when I make rice with dinner, everything seems to go smoothly!
Thanks for a great recipe! 🙂
Kiersten says
I loved rice when I was a kid too. It's a nice, inoffensive food, right? 🙂
Amanda says
Wild rice is a grass?! Mind.blown.
Think this would be good with almonds instead walnuts? I spend way too much at the grocery store this week and I'm trying to avoid going back until I have to . .
Kiersten says
Yes, almonds would definitely work too. 🙂 Nuts are expensive so I always make substitutions too so I can use what I have on hand!
dixya@food, pleasure, and health says
yay for apple tv 🙂 i have totally forgotten about this grain altogether.
Katy says
I really love wild rice and it's very popular here in Manitoba since it's grown here. It has such a nice nutty, crunchy flavour. Grapes are such a creative topping but I bet they taste awesome.
Kiersten says
I love the flavor too--so earthy and delicious!
julie@thesimpleveganista says
Wonderful...I've had frozen grapes but never roasted...will definitely have to give this a try!
Kiersten says
They are magical. 🙂 If you roast them longer, they'll burst open and they're almost jam-like. So good!
Deborah says
Love the recpie and rice. But I'm also very interested in where I can get the bowls online possibly as I live overseas?
Kiersten says
Here's a link to the bowls, although I'm not sure if they ship overseas: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-dinner-bowls/873034.jsp?cm_sp=Fluid-_-873034-_-Regular_12
Deborah says
The bowls you're showing are not in there anymore and I'm rederected to the front page. I'll try and write them. Thanks for your answer though 🙂
Kiersten says
Good luck!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I love roasted grapes! The rice looks so flavourful!
Kiersten says
After having roasted grapes, I don't ever want to eat them fresh anymore. 🙂
Genevieve says
I consider myself a huge reality tv fan, but I haven't even heard of most of those ones haha...I have tried roasted grapes though, so I believe you that this would taste good, even though I'm not a huge fan of wild rice!
Kiersten says
They're all about 5-10 years old. They are SO trashy. You are probably better off not knowing about them. 🙂
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
What a great Thanksgiving side dish idea!
Tina Jui says
I second this comment! Perfect dish for thanksgiving 🙂
Katie (The Muffin Myth) says
I love the idea of roasting grapes! Wild rice is really hard to find here, but this is a good reminder that I should bring a big bag back on my next trip. I'll have to try this out with a rice blend in the mean time. Yum!
Kiersten says
I think this would be good with wheat berries or any other rustic kind of whole grain too. 🙂
Anna @ Garnish with Lemon says
I just found a bag of wild rice in my pantry that had been shoved to the side behind something else - jackpot! I love roasted grapes, too, and can't wait to try them with the chewy wild rice. Thanks for the inspiration, Kiersten!
Kiersten says
I love finding food in my pantry like that! Although I typically prefer surprise chocolate bars to wild rice. 😉
Alissa N (GirlMakesFood) says
Yum!! I actually just spent the weekend developing Thanksgiving recipes, and after a few tries I got one right with wild rice, I really love the stuff!! You are right, it is super unappreciated. And roasted grapes? I think you are right that they are going to be my new favorite thing. I love dishes like this when you taste them and they surprise you with just how good they are. I can't wait to make this one!!
Also, I really, really love the new design of the blog!!
Kiersten says
I decided not to do a big Thanksgiving menu this year. I have a few recipes to post, but not like last year. So I can't wait to see your ideas!
And thank you! I wanted to change the homepage to make it easier to navigate between all the different sections. 🙂
Kelly says
Made this today. AMAZING. Tastes like Fall. One of the best side dishes I've made in a while.