Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf
This Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf is a festive side dish made with wild rice, tart cranberries, crisp apples, and crunchy pecans .. all slow-cooked to perfection! Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or make-ahead holiday dinners, this easy recipe is hearty, colorful, and full of fall flavor.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf
Let’s face it.. your holiday table needs a side dish that looks amazing, tastes even better, and doesn’t tie you to the stove. Enter this Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf.. rich wild rice slow-cooked in apple cider and chicken broth, then topped with tart dried cranberries, sweet apples and crunchy pecans. It’s the kind of dish that gets asked about year after year and then disappears before the second helping.
Sooo…let’s talk a minute about some heavy duty truth.. every year I promise to keep my holiday plate portions socially appropriate and my Christmas cookie binge eating to a low roar.
Usually, I completely fail at both and next thing you know I am power slamming raw Christmas cookie dough straight into my face when I am supposed to be making Christmas cookies.. and I don’t even feel bad about it… not even a little bit!
So instead of losing all touch with the reality of holiday food, let’s add in at least one recipe that is super easy, way tasty and won’t bring about head hanging shame if you go back for seconds.
Yup, let’s talk about this Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf!!
Oh no … those are carbs!! Stop. Holiday carbs don’t count and you can start you low carb keto lifestyle again after New Years. Today it’s all about your-soon-to-be new favorite holiday side dish!
What Is This Dish?
This isn’t your ordinary rice side. It’s a wild rice pilaf that blends nutty wild-rice texture with sweet-tart cranberries, crisp apples, and toasted pecans.. all cooked effortlessly in your slow cooker. It’s the perfect easy holiday side dish or slow cooker side dish that lets you focus on the turkey while this rocks itself out on the side.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
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Hands-free cooking magic – Toss ingredients in the slow cooker and let it run while you handle other dishes.
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Flavor-packed comfort – The combo of wild rice, apples, cranberries and pecans gives you sweet, tart and nutty in every bite.
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Fits any table – Whether you’re doing Thanksgiving, Christmas or a cozy weeknight, this is your go-to.
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Textural contrast – Soft wild rice + crunchy pecans = that irresistible mouth-feel.
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Vegetarian-friendly option – Easy to skip meat and keep it all plants if that’s your vibe.
- Easy holiday side dishes – A must have if you are going to survive ..er.. ENJOY the holidays with your family and friends 🙂
- Something a bit kooky – Everyone gets excited over easy holiday slow cooker side dishes that aren’t sweet potatoes, scalloped potatoes or stuffing.
- The Magic – Wild rice simmered in apple cider … um, hello? Insanely deliciousness, right HERE!
To make this Cranberry Rice, you will need:
- Garlic – nothing compares to fresh garlic
- Parsley – adds brightness to the dish
- Sweet onion – perfect balance of sweet and savory
- Wild rice blend – a complex and tasty rice blend that delivers a toasty, nutty flavor
- Butter – FLAVOR
- Chicken stock or chicken broth – needed for flavor and moisture
- Apple cider or apple juice – adds a great apple flavor to simmer the wild rice in
- Orange – adds acidity and great fresh orange flavor
- Salt, pepper and thyme – FLAVOR
- Pecans – brings the perfect fall crunch to every bite
- Dried cranberries – adds tartness and texture
- Apple – adds sweetness and crispness to the dish
- Maple syrup – warm and robust sweet fall flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Hang on, this one is a fast one.
- To make this Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf, add your garlic, onion and parsley to a small food processor and pulse until everything has been diced.
- Add this to your slow cooker. Then add in the butter, wild rice blend, chicken stock, apple cider, juice and zest of one orange and your seasonings.
- Give a quick stir and set your slow cooker to cook on Low for 4 – 5 hours.
- When your rice is cooked, add pecans to a small pan and roast over medium high heat for 3 – 5 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning.
- When your pecans have toasted and they are fragrant, add them along with your cranberries, chopped apples and the maple syrup to the rice in the slow cooker and stir well.
- Let cook for another 5 – 10 minutes and then serve.
Let’s just all take a moment to thank the inventors of the slow cooker as we know it.
Entertaining and holiday get togethers just got a whole lot less stressful by adding this easy holiday side dish to your dinner line up.
This Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf is the easiest and tastiest dish you will be serving up this year and trust me, this wild rice pilaf is not just the holidays.
This is such a family favorite side dish that it get served up year round in my house.
What is Wild Rice?
Here’s a kicker, wild rice is not actually rice. It’s a hearty grain related to rice but it’s not rice as we know it.
Wild rice has a toasty, nutty flavor and is most often found in packages of wild rice blends.
I used Lundberg Wild Blend Rice for this recipe and it was easily found prepackaged in the rice / pasta aisle of my grocery store.
The wild rice blend is just that, a blending of different types of rice including long grain brown rice, wild rice, sweet brown rice and a few others.
What is Rice Pilaf?
Traditionally speaking, pilaf is a Middle Eastern dish in which rice is cooked in a seasoned broth.
Then meat or vegetable is added to it. For this wild rice pilaf recipe, I left out a meat source but this Cranberry Rice Pilaf would be perfect to add roasted chicken to if you wanted to flip it from a slow cooker side dish to a main course meal.
Tips and Tricks
- You are going to be tempted to keep checking on your rice to see if it’s cooking. Stop! Let the slow cooker do it’s job 🙂 Stir it once around the 3 hour mark but other than that, let it be.
- Watch your pecans closely when you are toasting them. They burn fast so make sure you are stirring them often and as soon as you can smell them cooking, they are done.
- Not a fan of cranberries? Try substituting golden raisins or even dried apricots or dried cherries in this dish… they would be lovely.
- If you are a fan of sage and / or rosemary, feel free to add a teaspoon of either or both to this dish.
- If you prefer your apples with a bit more tart, substitute the Honey crisp apple with Granny Smith apples
- Want to transform this slow cooker side dish to a full on meal? Add in some cooked chicken or turkey.
Storage & Freezing
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Refrigerate: Leftovers keep up to 4 days in airtight container.
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Freeze: Cool completely, freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge, reheat gently with a splash of broth.
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This is also an excellent make-ahead dish for busy days and holiday leftovers.
Make-Ahead Instructions for Cranberry Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf
This rice pilaf is an absolute dream for make-ahead holiday prep (a rare win for your sanity). To get a jump on things:
- Cook the pilaf completely.
Prepare the recipe as directed, then let it cool to room temperature. - Store it right.
Transfer the rice mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. - Reheat before serving.
Warm it in a covered baking dish at 325°F for 20–25 minutes, or microwave in short bursts until heated through. Add a splash of broth or butter to keep it moist. - Optional fresh finish.
Stir in a handful of fresh cranberries or extra pecans just before serving for a little crunch and pop of color.
FAQ
Can I use plain rice instead of wild rice?
Yes, but you’ll lose the nutty chew and unique texture of wild rice. If you switch, reduce cook time accordingly.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, naturally .. just confirm your broth is gluten-free.
Can I make this vegan?
Absolutely .. use vegetable broth and omit butter or replace with a plant-based spread.
Will this work without a slow cooker?
Yes.. cook the rice in a pot with the liquids, then stir in apples, pecans and cranberries when done. The slow cooker just frees up your hands.
How do I heat leftovers?
Microwave with a splash of broth, or bake at 350°F for 15 minutes covered.
Final Thoughts
This slow cooker cranberry apple pecan wild rice pilaf is proof that a side dish can actually steal the show. It’s hearty, flavorful, and downright beautiful—yet simple to make. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy weeknight, this dish delivers every time.
MORE SIDE DISH RECIPES YOU WILL LOVE
- Quick Twice Baked Potatoes
- Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
- Easy Bean Salad
- Skillet Red Potatoes with Bacon and Feta
xoxo, Heather 💋
Slow Cooker Cranberry Rice Pilaf with Apples and Pecans
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic diced
- 1/3 cup parsley diced
- 1/2 sweet onion diced
- 3 cups wild rice blend or a 16 ounce package
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 16 ounces chicken stock
- 16 ounces apple cider or apple juice
- 1 orange zest and juice
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1 /2 cup pecans chopped
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 honeycrisp or gala apple chopped
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- To make your Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf, add your garlic, onion and parsley to a small food processor and pulse until everything has been diced. Add this to your slow cooker. Then add in the butter, wild rice blend, chicken stock, apple cider, juice and zest of one orange and your seasonings. Give a quick stir and set your slow cooker to cook on Low for 4 - 5 hours.
- When your rice is cooked, add pecans to a small pan and roast over medium high heat for 3 - 5 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning. When your pecans have toasted and they are fragrant, add them along with your cranberries, chopped apples and the maple syrup to the rice in the slow cooker and stir well. Let cook for another 5 - 10 minutes and then serve.
Notes
PRO TIPS FOR MAKING SLOW COOKER CRANBERRY APPLE PECAN WILD RICE PILAF
- You are going to be tempted to keep checking on your rice to see if it's cooking. Stop! Let the slow cooker do it's job 🙂 Stir it once around the 3 hour mark but other than that, let it be.
- Watch your pecans closely when you are toasting them. They burn fast so make sure you are stirring them often and as soon as you can smell them cooking, they are done.
- Not a fan of cranberries? Try substituting golden raisins or even dried apricots or dried cherries in this dish... they would be lovely.
- If you are a fan of sage and / or rosemary, feel free to add a teaspoon of either or both to this dish.
- If you prefer your apples with a bit more tart, substitute the Honey crisp apple with Granny Smith apples
- Want to transform this slow cooker side dish to a full on meal? Add in some cooked chicken or turkey.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in November of 2018 but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and tips in October of 2025.
This Cranberry Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf is my go-to holiday side because it’s a total show-off without any of the effort. Sweet, nutty, and cozy .. it’s one of those dishes that quietly outshines the turkey every single year.