Rice and Spinach Salad
Brighten up your meal with this vibrant and nutritious Rice and Spinach Salad, a perfect blend of wholesome ingredients and zesty Mediterranean flavors. This easy-to-make recipe combines fluffy long-grain rice, fresh baby spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and tangy red onion, all brought together with a simple homemade dressing of extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Topped with crumbled feta cheese, this salad is a feast for both the eyes and palate. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for a light lunch, a stunning side dish, or a chilled make-ahead option for picnics and potlucks. Rich in nutrients and bursting with flavor, this Spinach and Rice Salad is sure to become a go-to favorite!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups water
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 small red onion
- 0.5 cup feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
Step 2
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 cup of rinsed rice and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Step 3
While the rice is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, peel and dice the cucumber, and finely slice the red onion.
Step 4
In a large salad bowl, combine the baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
Step 5
Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and let it cool for about 10 minutes before adding it to the salad bowl.
Step 6
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Step 7
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
Step 8
Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese and serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to serve chilled.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | 1371.1 grams (1371.1g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 948 |
| Total Fat 58.30g | 75% |
| Saturated Fat 15.90g | 80% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.50g | |
| Cholesterol 67mg | 22% |
| Sodium 2135mg | 93% |
| Total Carbohydrate 88.50g | 32% |
| Dietary Fiber 7.60g | 27% |
| Total Sugars 13.20g | |
| Protein 22.60g | 45% |
| Vitamin D 12IU | 60% |
| Calcium 584mg | 45% |
| Iron 7mg | 36% |
| Potassium 1420mg | 30% |
Source of Calories