Nut-Free Refreshing Rice Salad

Brighten up your mealtime with this Nut-Free Refreshing Rice Salad, a zesty and versatile dish perfect for warm-weather lunches or light dinners. This vibrant recipe combines fluffy white rice with crisp cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, crunchy red bell pepper, and aromatic parsley, all tossed in a tangy lemon-olive oil dressing. Free from nuts and packed with colorful vegetables, it’s a crowd-pleasing option for those with dietary restrictions. Ready in just 40 minutes, this make-ahead salad is ideal for meal prep and tastes even better chilled, making it a refreshing addition to picnics, potlucks, or a healthy side for grilled mains. Simple, flavorful, and satisfying—this rice salad is destined to become a favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups white rice
• 4 cups water
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.5 cup parsley
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water using a fine mesh sieve until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and water. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Step 3

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 18 minutes or until the rice has absorbed all the water.

Step 4

Remove the rice from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and allow it to cool completely.

Step 5

While the rice is cooling, peel the cucumber, cut it in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Dice the cucumber into small cubes.

Step 6

Core and dice the red bell pepper. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Finely chop the red onion and parsley.

Step 7

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

Step 8

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

Step 9

Pour the dressing over the rice and vegetable mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Step 11

Serve the salad cold or at room temperature, enjoying its refreshing flavors.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2115.6 grams (2115.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	834

Total Fat 30.40g	39%
Saturated Fat 4.90g	25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.80g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1252mg	54%
Total Carbohydrate 128.80g	47%
Dietary Fiber 9.90g	35%
Total Sugars 19.10g
Protein 15.50g	31%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 241mg	19%
Iron 5mg	29%
Potassium 1617mg	34%

*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: 32.2%

Protein: 7.3%

Carbs: 60.6%