Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (2024)

By: Denise BustardLeave a Comment
Posted: 10/13/21Updated: 10/13/21

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This cranberry almond rice pilaf recipe is an easy side dish that is perfect for the holidays! Made with shallots, garlic, carrots, thyme, the wild rice blend infuses with so much flavor while it cooks. This recipe is gluten-free and vegetarian.

Prepping side dishes ahead of time is such a great way to save time and reduce stress during the holidays. This cranberry almond rice pilaf is the perfect side dish to make ahead, just like this Instant Pot wild rice pilaf, or this Instant Pot mashed cauliflower!

Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (1)

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Loaded with delicious veggies, tart cranberries, and topped with slivered almonds - this recipe is simple to prepare, but you are rewarded with big flavor! Serve this elegant side dish for Sunday night dinner, or for special occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

While rice pilaf recipe may sound fancy, it only requires 10 minutes of prep time. The result is a savory rice dish that is full of garlic, onions, herbs, and cooked in broth to infuse even more flavor into the rice.

Recipe Video

Watch the video below to see how to make this cranberry almond rice pilaf! You can find more of my recipe videos on myYouTube channel and Facebook page.

Ingredient notes

Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (2)
  • Rice - we used a brown basmati and wild rice blend for this recipe, as it provides a nice mixture of textures and nutty flavor from the different types of rice. You can swap the type of rice for any long-grain white or brown rice, but make sure to adjust the amount of stock and the cooking time according to the package.
  • Veggies - finly chopped carrots, shallots, and celery cook up nicely in this recipe. Shallots can be swapped for a white onion if you have trouble finding them.
  • Slivered almonds - add nutty flavor that compliments the wild rice! The almonds can be toasted (if you have time), but you don't have to toast them. Toasting brings out the nutty flavor, and adds extra crunch.
  • Cranberries - dried cranberries add a sweet, tart flavor to this recipe. You could swap for dried cherries, or dried blueberries if you prefer. Fresh pomegranates would also be great!
  • Thyme -fresh thyme adds the best flavor; if you can’t get your hands on fresh thyme, try adding ½ teaspoon of dried thyme.
  • Stock - you can use either chicken or vegetable stock for this recipe. If you happen to have homemade turkey stock stored away in the freezer, that would be delicious as well!

Step by step directions

Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (3)

Sauté

Melt butter in a large 4-quart pot. Add the shallots and cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (4)

Toast Rice

Add the rice and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden and toasted.

Tip - check out my secrets for perfect, fluffy rice here!

Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (5)

Combine

Add carrots, celery, stock, salt, and thyme sprigs. Stir, then cover and cook for 45 minutes (or according to the package directions).

Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (6)

Rest

Allow to sit (covered) for another 10 minutes. If serving immediately, add the sliced almonds, cranberries, and parsley to garnish.

FAQ

Can I make this recipe in the rice cooker?

You could, but we highly recommend taking the extra step of sautéing the garlic and shallot in the butter, which is just easier in a pot.

Can I make rice pilaf in the Instant Pot?

Unfortunately, we found that the celery and carrot were overcooked when cooking this in the Instant Pot. If this doesn't bother you, go for it! Reduce the liquid: rice ratio to 1:1 and cook using the directions from this Instant Pot wild rice pilaf.

Can I swap the brown u0026 wild rice blend for another type of rice?

Absolutely! We would recommend a long-grain white or brown rice. Adjust the cooking liquid and cook time according to what the package says.

Can I make this ahead of time?

YES! We know how crazy things can get when you're preparing a full Thanksgiving meal, which is why we love that you can make recipes ahead of time, and reheat before serving! See storage and reheating section below for how to reheat.

Storage + reheating

Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (7)

Fridge - Allow to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat - Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Add pilaf to a casserole dish with a lid. Bake (covered) for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Stir in the almonds and parsley just before serving.

Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (8)

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Variations

  • rice- swap for any long grain rice, but adjust the cooking liquid and cook time according to the package
  • cranberries- swap for pomegranates, chopped apple, dried cranberries or dried blueberries
  • almonds- swap for walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds
  • shallots- swap for regular brown or white onion
  • stock- we recommend using stock because it really helps infuse flavor; feel free to swap for vegetable, chicken, or turkey stock
  • butter- swap for olive oil or vegan butter

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (9)

Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 55 minutes mins

10 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Print Rate

This Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf recipe is an easy side dish that is perfect for the holidays! You can make it ahead and re-heat in the oven.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 shallots finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups brown & wild rice blend * see note 1
  • 1 cup carrots chopped small
  • 1 cup celery chopped small
  • 3 cups stock chicken or vegetable
  • ¾ teaspoons salt
  • 6 sprigs fresh thyme

To serve

  • ½ cup sliced almonds toasted if you have time
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions

  • Sauté- Melt butter in a large 4-quart pot. Add the shallots and cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

    Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (10)

  • Toast rice- Add the rice and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden and toasted.

    Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (11)

  • Combine- Add carrots, celery, stock, salt, and thyme sprigs. Stir, then cover and cook for 45 minutes (or according to the package directions).

    Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (12)

  • Rest- Allow to sit (covered) for another 10 minutes. If serving immediately, add the sliced almonds, cranberries, and parsley to garnish.

    Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (13)

Tips:

1 - You can swap the type of rice for any long-grain white or brown rice, but make sure to adjust the amount of stock and the cooking time according to the package.

Storage + Reheating

Fridge- Allow to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat- Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Add pilaf to a casserole dish with a lid. Bake (covered) for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Stir in the almonds and parsley just before serving.

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/8 of batch, Calories: 256kcal, Carbohydrates: 43g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 622mg, Potassium: 363mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 3130IU, Vitamin C: 5.5mg, Calcium: 50mg, Iron: 1.5mg

Author: Denise Bustard

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

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Cranberry Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes a pilaf a pilaf? ›

Pilaf (US: /ˈpiːlɑːf/), pilav or pilau ( UK: /ˈpiːlaʊ, piːˈlaʊ/) is a rice dish, usually sautéed, or in some regions, a wheat dish, whose recipe usually involves cooking in stock or broth, adding spices, and other ingredients such as vegetables or meat, and employing some technique for achieving cooked grains that do ...

What is the difference between rice and pilaf? ›

Another huge factor in distinguishing basic rice from pilaf is the liquid you cook it in. Basic rice traditionally uses water. Boringgg. Pilaf is cooked in broths or stocks, AKA savory liquid made from spices, or simmered meat and veggies.

What is the difference between pilaf and pilau? ›

Pilau rice is an Indian dish of rice flavoured principally with onion, cinnamon, cardommum and cloves, with turmeric which gives it its distinctive yellow colouring. Pilaf is the name for a rice dish which might include and/or be flavoured with any variety of ingredients - meats, vegetables, spices, herbs etc.

What's the difference between paella and pilaf? ›

In Spain ''paella'' (a wide, shallow pan with looped handles) famous rice dish is a free-style combination of meat, seafood and vegetables. The key ingredients include saffron and olive oil. If you mix into any of these dishes some dry apricots, cumin, almonds and fresh chopped coriander, you have a Malaysian pilaf.

What type of rice is most suitable for pilaf? ›

The pilaf technique is important, but to guarantee perfect texture, it's also necessary to use the right kind of rice. The best choice is long-grain white rice.

Why is my rice pilaf mushy? ›

If your rice has absorbed too much liquid, the grains may have split and the starches may have given the rice a soft, gluey consistency. One way to fix that? Add even more liquid. Pour in some milk, a dash of vanilla, and spoonful of sugar, and suddenly your mushy rice is a rich rice pudding.

What is the best rice for pilaf? ›

Generally speaking, the best type of rice for pilaf is long-grain white rice. With its unique scents and above-average length, basmati rice is a great option for pilaf.

Is rice pilaf healthier than mashed potatoes? ›

Overall, potatoes contain more vitamins and nutrients than rice. And if given the choice between rice or potatoes, 9 times out of 10, we would certainly go with potatoes simply because they are more versatile and can be made in many different ways.

Is jasmine or basmati rice better for pilaf? ›

Basmati is a go-to choice for pilaf, biryani, plov, the classic Persian dish called chelow and as a base for curry. Jasmine is a top pick for fried rice, com do (Vietnamese red rice) and hung kao mung gati (Thai coconut rice).

What is the English of pilaf? ›

pilaff [noun] a dish of rice, meat etc seasoned with spices.

What culture is pilaf? ›

Pilaf spreads as far afield as India and western Europe

The dish spread from Persia to Arabs, Greeks, Turks, Armenians, Uzbeks and Tajiks, Pashtuns and Afgans and to Jews living in the middle east.

What is pilaf vs biryani? ›

Distinctive Differences between Pulao and BiryaniRice: Pulao is made with long-grain rice, while Biryani is made with basmati rice. Cooking Method: Pulao is cooked by boiling rice in a seasoned broth. Biryani is cooked by layering cooked rice with meat or vegetables and a flavorful sauce.

What is the crispy rice at the bottom of paella called? ›

The socarrat is the crusty crispy bottom of the paella that becomes caramelized and toasted on the bottom of the pan when it is cooking.

Is Basmati rice the same as paella rice? ›

Paella rice is a short grain variety of rice (ie it is short in length, distinctly different from basmati which is very long).

What defines a pilaf? ›

noun. a Middle Eastern dish consisting of sautéed, seasoned rice steamed in bouillon, sometimes with poultry, meat or shellfish. rice cooked in a meat or poultry broth.

What are the characteristics of rice pilaf? ›

Persian pilaf recipes often feature a harmonious blend of ingredients such as basmati rice, meat (such as lamb or chicken), vegetables, and an array of aromatic spices like saffron, cumin, and cardamom. This combination results in a rich and fragrant rice dish with a delightful medley of flavors.

Why do they call it rice pilaf? ›

The word pilaf itself stems from the Turkish word pilav which derives from the Persian word pilaw, reflecting the widely accepted notion that pilaf has origins in Persia. During the 8th and 9th centuries, pilaf was made over a fire and with barley — a dish favored by nomadic sheep herders.

What are the five schools of pilaf? ›

It can be said that today there are 5 basic “schools” for the preparation of pilaf. These are Iranian, Central Asian, Turkish, Indian and Caribbean.

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