Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes is made with fluffy wild rice tossed with grapes roasted in balsamic vinegar. The tangy grapes are tossed with toasted pecans, shallots, and maple syrup, for a savory and slightly sweet side dish that jazz up any dinner.

wild rice with roasted grapes in a white bowl.

A Fresh Take on Wild Rice

Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes is an unexpected combination that will truly make you rethink wild rice forever. Wild rice on its own might be a little plain, but it’s a great base for adding other flavors.

This recipe takes a basic wild rice blend and cranks it up a notch by adding roasted grapes. Roasting grapes, like almost any other fruit or vegetable, totally changes the flavor. I drizzled the grapes first with good-quality balsamic vinegar. If you don’t have this on hand, use a balsamic glaze. Roasting in the glaze almost caramelizes the grapes.

While they’re roasting sauté some shallots and add toasted pecans with a little maple syrup. The grapes and maple syrup add a gentle sweetness while the shallots and lemon juice add a bright, savory flavor. You also get some texture from the roasted grapes, crunchy wild rice, and crispy pecans for an elegant side that’s great with rotisserie chicken, ham, steak, or even at Thanksgiving.

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I find that I pull this recipe out when my main course is pretty plain, it makes dinner a little more interesting.

wild rice with grapes in a skillet being stirred with a spoon.

A Surprisingly Perfect Combination

Here’s why you’ll come back to this side dish over and over again:

Unique flavors: Wild rice gets a sweet and savory upgrade, transforming it into a flavorful side that hits all the right notes.
Great for serving: This side dish is super versatile and great for pairing with your favorite main dishes.
Easy: It doesn’t take much to whip up this recipe. Just a few basic ingredients.

Gather These Simple Ingredients for a Gourmet Side

This is everything you need to make this side dish, but don’t forget to check the recipe card for the measurements.

wild rice with grapes ingredients on a gray background.

Wild rice: Wild rice is hearty and has a nice chewy texture and holds up well against the sweetness of the grapes. Wild rice, wild rice pilaf, or even brown rice would work for this recipe.
Seedless grapes: Roasting grapes brings out their natural sweetness and softens them without losing shape. You can use red or green grapes. Just make sure they’re seedless.
Balsamic vinegar: Brings a rich, slightly tangy flavor that makes the roasted grapes extra delicious.
Shallot: Shallots are like a milder, sweeter version of onions. If you don’t have shallots, you could use a red onion or yellow onion.
Pecans: Toasted pecans bring a nice crunch and nutty flavor that pairs really well with the sweet grapes. Walnuts would also work.
Pure maple syrup: A little maple syrup adds just the right touch of sweetness without being too much.

Transform Wild Rice Into the Perfect Sweet and Savory Side

Step One: Cook the Rice

Start by cooking the wild rice according to the directions on the package.

Step Two: Roast the Grapes

grapes in a baking dish. — Toss the grapes with balsamic vinegar and spread them in a baking dish.

roasted grapes with balsamic vinegar in a baking dish. — Roast them until they’re soft but still hold their shape.

Step Three: Sauté the Shallots and Toast the Pecans

sautéed shallots in a skillet with a wooden spoon. — In a skillet, melt some butter and sauté the shallots until they soften.

toasted pecans, shallots, and maple syrup in a black skillet with a wooden spoon. — Add in the toasted pecans and a touch of syrup, and let it simmer until absorbed.

Step Four: Combine Everything

cooked wild rice being added to the roasted grapes, nuts, shallots, and maple syrup. — Add the cooked wild rice.

This is the perfect side to serve with skillet pork chops or a simple rotisserie chicken.

How to Keep Leftovers Fresh

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, simply microwave individual portions until warmed through, or heat it in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to bring back some moisture.

Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes

Author: Barbara Curry

5 from 1 vote

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PREP: 10

COOK: 30

Servings:

Ingredients

Instructions

Cook wild rice according to directions.
Preheat oven to 400º.
In an 8 x 8 inch baking dish add grapes and balsamic vinegar and toss to combine. Roast until they are soft but still hold their shape, about 20-30 minutes depending on how large they are.
In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add toasted pecans and syrup and cook until the syrup has absorbed, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add rice, grapes, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.

Barbara’s Tips + Notes

You can substitute any type of rice, but I prefer the chewiness of wild rice.
Some grapes will take longer to roast then others so check them periodically.

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