Mandarin Pepper Rice Salad

Bright, fresh, and bursting with vibrant flavors, this Mandarin Pepper Rice Salad is a delightful fusion of sweet and savory. Featuring fluffy jasmine rice as its base, this refreshing dish combines juicy mandarin orange segments, crisp red and yellow bell peppers, and the subtle zest of green onions and parsley. Tossed in a tangy-sweet dressing made with mandarin juice, rice vinegar, and a touch of honey, every bite is perfectly balanced and full of flavor. The slivered almonds add a satisfying crunch, making it an irresistible side dish or light main course. Quick to prepare, with just 15 minutes of prep time, this colorful salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a refreshing meal on warm days. Serve it chilled for optimal flavor and enjoy a healthy, gluten-free, and vibrant addition to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 can mandarin oranges (in juice)
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper
• 3 stalks green onions
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup slivered almonds

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then combine it with 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan.

Step 2

Bring the rice to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed.

Step 3

Remove the rice from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and set it aside to cool completely.

Step 4

While the rice cooks, drain the mandarin oranges and reserve 2 tablespoons of the juice for the dressing. Pat the orange segments dry with a paper towel.

Step 5

Dice the red and yellow bell peppers into small cubes. Thinly slice the green onions and finely chop the fresh parsley.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, reserved mandarin juice, rice vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rice, diced bell peppers, green onions, and parsley. Add the mandarin orange segments and gently toss to combine.

Step 8

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.

Step 9

Sprinkle the slivered almonds on top for added crunch and serve immediately, or refrigerate for 1-2 hours to let the flavors meld before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1206.6 grams (1206.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1057

Total Fat 60.00g	77%
Saturated Fat 8.00g	40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1230mg	53%
Total Carbohydrate 118.80g	43%
Dietary Fiber 11.00g	39%
Total Sugars 37.60g
Protein 16.60g	33%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 215mg	17%
Iron 4mg	23%
Potassium 998mg	21%

*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: 49.9%

Protein: 6.1%

Carbs: 43.9%