Brown or White Rice Salad

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant Brown or White Rice Salad, a refreshing and versatile dish perfect for any occasion. Featuring your choice of nutty brown rice or fluffy white rice as the base, this hearty salad brims with fresh, colorful vegetables like juicy halved cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and sweet red bell pepper, all complemented by the zesty kick of finely chopped red onion and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. A tangy homemade dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a hint of honey or maple syrup ties it all together, while optional crumbled feta adds a creamy, savory touch. Ready in just 35 minutes and ideal as a light lunch, stand-alone dinner, or chilled potluck side, this rice salad is as nutritious as it is satisfying. Whether you serve it straight from the bowl or let it chill for extra flavor, this crowd-pleaser promises to deliver a burst of vibrant, wholesome goodness in every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Brown or white rice (cooked and cooled)
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup Cucumber (diced)
• 1 cup Red bell pepper (diced)
• 0.25 cup Red onion (finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese (crumbled, optional)
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Honey or maple syrup
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cook the rice according to package instructions. Once cooked, allow it to cool completely before using.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and fresh parsley.

Step 3

If using feta cheese, add it to the bowl for a creamy, tangy flavor.

Step 4

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the rice and vegetable mixture, and gently toss everything together until well combined.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.

Step 7

Serve immediately as a refreshing stand-alone dish or chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours for a cold salad option.

Step 8

Garnish with additional chopped parsley or feta cheese before serving, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1242.1 grams (1242.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1404

Total Fat 71.50g	92%
Saturated Fat 25.00g	125%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 107mg	36%
Sodium 2705mg	118%
Total Carbohydrate 155.60g	57%
Dietary Fiber 10.60g	38%
Total Sugars 27.90g
Protein 35.00g	70%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 854mg	66%
Iron 8mg	43%
Potassium 1892mg	40%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.8%

Protein: 10.0%

Carbs: 44.3%