Mardi Gras Rice Salad

Celebrate the vibrant flavors of Mardi Gras with this colorful and refreshing Mardi Gras Rice Salad! Packed with a medley of crisp red, green, and yellow bell peppers, zesty red onion, crunchy celery, and fresh parsley, this salad is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Tossed with a bold and tangy Cajun-inspired dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Cajun seasoning, every bite bursts with flavor. Perfect as a festive side dish or a light main, this rice salad is easy to make and can be served chilled or at room temperature. Whether you're hosting a Mardi Gras party or simply craving a taste of New Orleans, this dish will bring the spirit of celebration to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups white rice
• 4 cups water
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 medium green bell pepper
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper
• 1 small red onion
• 2 celery stalks
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
• 1 large garlic clove
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium pot, combine the rice and water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.

Step 2

While the rice is cooling, prepare the vegetables. Dice the red, green, and yellow bell peppers into small, uniform pieces. Finely chop the red onion, celery, and fresh parsley.

Step 3

In a small bowl, prepare the dressing. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Cajun seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 4

Once the rice is cool, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Add the diced vegetables and parsley, then pour the dressing over the top.

Step 5

Gently toss the salad until the rice and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. Adjust seasoning to taste, if needed.

Step 6

Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2078.2 grams (2078.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1156

Total Fat 60.50g	78%
Saturated Fat 9.30g	47%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.40g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3518mg	153%
Total Carbohydrate 139.30g	51%
Dietary Fiber 14.10g	50%
Total Sugars 16.00g
Protein 16.10g	32%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 221mg	17%
Iron 4mg	24%
Potassium 1638mg	35%

*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: 46.7%

Protein: 5.5%

Carbs: 47.8%