Cranberry Rice Recipe [+Video]

Name: How to Make Cranberry Rice [+Video]
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 6 cups of broth ([1.5 liters] salted to taste, boiling hot (see notes)); 2 teaspoons of salt ((optional)); 1 teaspoon of black pepper ((optional)); 3 tablespoons ghee ((clarified butter, see notes)); 1½ cups chopped walnuts ((or almonds), plus whole walnuts for garnishing); 6 g saffron threads (plus extra strands for garnish); 3 cup rice; 1½ cups of dry cranberries ((craisins)); Fresh herbs for garnish ((like fresh parsley or chives))

Portions: servings

Calories: 699kcal

You know I am all about easy rice recipes, and this festive cranberry rice pilaf is not only super simple but also flavorful and pretty, making it ideal for your Christmas or Thanksgiving menu. It's a great start to plan your festive feast these holidays.

By Clara Gonzalez - Last revised Nov 9, 2023. Published Nov 8, 2021.

Why I ❤️ it Recipe Ingredients Video Preparation

Festive cranberry rice.

Why I ❤️ it

I have in my collection our favorite Christmas rice with raisins and walnuts, but there cannot be too many rice side dishes for our holiday menu.

This tasty rice with cranberries and nuts is perfect to serve something new this year or to have something extra special on your table.

Cranberry rice recipe

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Each family seems to have its own version of this traditional Christmas and New Year's Eve dinner. Here is one of my favorite ways to make festive rice.

Course: Dinner

Inspiration: American

Category: cranberry rice pilaf, holiday rice recipes

Author: Clara Gonzalez

Prep Time5

Cook Time30

Total Time35

Utensils and tools

Ingredients

6 cups [1.5 liters] of broth, salted to taste, boiling hot (see notes)
2 teaspoons of salt (or to taste - optional)
1 teaspoon of black pepper (or to taste - optional)
3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter, see notes)
1½ cups chopped walnuts (or almonds), plus whole walnuts for garnishing
6 g saffron threads, plus extra strands for garnish
3 cup rice
1½ cups of dried cranberries, (craisins)
Fresh herbs for garnish (like fresh parsley or chives)

Video

Preparation

Before starting, please make sure you have all the ingredients and utensils ready.

Step 1: Toasting walnuts

In a medium saucepan, season the vegetable broth with salt and pepper to taste (if needed), and keep steaming over low heat.

In a separate thick-bottom pot (cast aluminum or cast iron), heat the ghee over medium-low heat. Stir in the walnuts and cook, stirring until a slightly darker color.

Remove the walnuts from the grease and set them aside. Leave the ghee in the pot.

Step 2: Sautée rice

Add the saffron to the ghee and stir to color the ghee. Add the raw, unrinsed rice to the heated ghee, cook stirring until the grains are coated with the ghee, and turn a slightly yellow color.

Pour in the heated vegetable broth, increase the temperature to medium-high heat, and stir.

Step 3: Cook rice

Simmer, stirring often, until the liquid has almost evaporated. Add the craisins and stir to combine. Lower the heat, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir the rice and simmer covered for another 10 minutes or until the rice is cooked through but with separate grains.

Uncover and mix in the toasted walnuts. Remove from the stove.

Step 4: Serve

Place the rice on a serving platter and sprinkle it with herbs.

Top tips

The flavor and saltiness of the broth will determine the flavor of the rice, so if you find the broth too bland, you may need to add salt to taste, or even add some minced parsley, a teaspoon of garlic powder, and a tablespoon of onion flakes to liven it up.
To vary the flavor, you can use different broths: try my homemade vegetable broth recipe or my homemade chicken broth recipe.
For vegan cranberry rice, use olive oil instead of ghee, and make sure to use vegetable broth.
To save leftovers, you can leave it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat it in the microwave in a covered microwave-safe container after adding a couple of tablespoons of cold water.
You can make this recipe with basmati rice instead of long-grain rice.
To add some interesting touch, you can add some orange zest before fluffing the rice. If you have bay leaf at home, add a couple of leaves to the boiling water, but remember to remove them before serving.

Serving suggestions

This cranberry rice is perfect for your Christmas Eve feast or as a new addition to your Thanksgiving meal. Check out my Dominican Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner dishes for some ideas, or check out my Christmas dishes here.

For a very easy, very innovative meat choice, check out these turkey chops I love so much.

Variations

If you don't like or don't have walnuts, you can make rice with cranberries and pecans or rice with cranberries and walnuts by following the exact same instructions and just substituting them for your favorite nuts. Pine nuts are also great in this dish.

I love pilaf rice, and if you're looking for another rice pilaf recipe to try, this Mejadra, Seafood black rice, Vegetable rice pilaf, Green bean and brown rice, Christmas rice, chicken tikka biryani, and wild rice blend with cauliflower, will be your new favorites.

Nutritional information

Calories: 553kcal - Carbohydrates: 23g - Protein: 36g - Fat: 35g - Saturated Fat: 14g - Cholesterol: 116mg - Sodium: 1642mg - Potassium: 765mg - Fiber: 2g - Sugar: 13g - Vitamin A: 1030IU - Vitamin C: 9.1mg - Calcium: 587mg - Iron: 2.2mg

More holiday recipes

See more: rice recipes Christmas recipes dinner recipes

FAQs

Is it necessary to soak rice before cooking?

While some recipes do require that the rice is soaked beforehand, not every recipe does, and not every rice is cooked the same. Check the recipe you're following for instructions.

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