A Brown Rice Salad is a great option for a healthy, light, and satisfying dish! Here’s a flavorful and simple recipe you can try. It’s packed with veggies, fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing.
Brown Rice Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked brown rice (about 1/2 cup uncooked)
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or cilantro, depending on your preference)
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional, or you can use goat cheese)
- 1/4 cup olives, sliced (green or Kalamata)
For the dressing:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey (or maple syrup)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook the rice:
- Cook the brown rice according to the package instructions, then allow it to cool. For best results, cook the rice ahead of time and refrigerate it to cool faster.
- Prepare the veggies:
- While the rice is cooling, prepare the cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, and red onion by chopping them into small, bite-sized pieces.
- If using, crumble the feta cheese and slice the olives.
- Make the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, oregano (if using), salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Assemble the salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled brown rice, chopped veggies, parsley, feta cheese, and olives.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together gently to combine.
- Chill and serve:
- Let the salad chill in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Garnish with extra herbs or feta if you like.
This salad can be a great meal on its own or serve as a side dish to grilled chicken, fish, or tofu. It’s very versatile—you can easily swap in other vegetables like carrots, corn, or even roasted sweet potatoes. You could also add some nuts or seeds (like almonds or sunflower seeds) for a little crunch!
Would you like some other variations or tips for making this even more customizable?