Go Back

Italian-Style Brown Rice Salad

A fresh and healthy Mediterranean-inspired brown rice salad packed with vegetables, herbs, and zesty lemon dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad
  • 2 cups brown rice cooked and cooled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 0.5 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup olives sliced
  • 0.5 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 0.25 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped
Dressing
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Cook brown rice and let it cool completely.
  2. Place cooled rice in a large bowl and fluff with a fork.
  3. Add tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, and feta.
  4. Mix in basil and parsley.
  5. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  6. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently.
  7. Chill for 20–30 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein. Best served chilled or at room temperature.