Autumn’s Bounty Wild Rice elevates a simple side to a dish that takes center stage. Sweet apples and tart cranberries, combined with savory pork sausage and onion, bring a new array of flavor that makes wild rice sing!
This side goes well with any protein, but I especially love it with Maple Pork Chops or Roast Chicken. It would also make a fantastic alternative to traditional stuffing on Thanksgiving Day!
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There aren’t a lot of dishes that please everyone in my family of six. Sometimes it’s hard to believe we’re all related because we have such varied needs and palates. So when I find something that everyone likes, it’s a minor miracle and a cause for celebration. Autumn’s Bounty Wild Rice manages to please everyone in my family. I even make a separate portion for my vegetarian daughter, leaving out the sausage. Nothing pleases my ears more than hearing my kids say, “Can we have this again?”
It’s funny how just a few ingredients can totally change a dish. None of my kids care for wild rice, or any type of rice dish for that matter. But the addition of the autumn fruits and sausage take this rice to another level of yumminess. It even stands on its own as a lunch dish or light supper. And if you’re one of my kids, you’d grab a bowl for an after-school snack!
I have found that this dish doesn’t need any additional seasoning. The pork sausage is well-seasoned, and those spices carry throughout the whole dish. If you find it bland, you can always add salt or dried herbs to taste, but I encourage you to taste it first.
Grandma always said that a recipe is just a guideline. Feel free to adapt my recipes to suit your family’s needs. Be sure to comment below to let us all know how you made this recipe your own!
Autumn’s Bounty Wild Rice
Course: All Recipes, SidesDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesAutumn’s Bounty Wild Rice elevates a simple side to a dish that takes center stage!
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked wild rice
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 lb sage pork sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 apple, peeled and chopped
1 green onion, sliced (optional)
Directions
- Make wild rice according to package directions, adding the dried cranberries to the water when you add the uncooked rice.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown the onion and pork sausage.
- Add the apple when the sausage is almost cooked through. Cook until sausage is fully browned and apple is softened.
- Combine sausage and apple mixture with wild rice. Garnish with green onion slices, if desired. Serve warm.
I made this the other night and LOVED it!
I had forgotten how expensive wild rice can be, so I used 1 4-ounce box of wild rice and added a rice medley that contained wild rice to make up the 1 cup. Cooking time was about the same for both, so it worked. I will increase the dried cranberries next time, just because I love their flavor.
I had some leftovers for lunch today.
Thanks for a great recipe.
That’s wonderful to hear! It is one of our seasonal favorites. Your addition of the rice medley was a great idea that must have added more lovely texture. Thanks so much for sharing!
I cannot wait to try this! What a perfect fall dinner. And so easy!
I love it with Maple Pork Chops or even on its own. Those fall flavors can’t be beat!