Description
This vibrant Mediterranean Rice Salad is an easy, refreshing side dish perfect for warm weather or any time you want a light and healthy meal. Packed with colorful veggies, briny olives, tangy feta, and a zesty herb dressing, it offers a delicious balance of flavors and textures. Made with cooked and cooled rice, this salad is quick to assemble, can be made ahead, and is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and cooled white or brown rice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled rice, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, sliced kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Gently mix to combine all the salad components evenly.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is well emulsified and flavorful.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the rice and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is coated with the dressing, enhancing the flavor throughout.
- Season and chill: Taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper if necessary. Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the rice salad cold or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish that complements a variety of meals.
Notes
- You can use leftover rice or cook rice fresh and let it cool completely before mixing to prevent a mushy salad.
- For added protein, try including chickpeas or grilled chicken.
- Feta cheese can be substituted with mozzarella or goat cheese based on your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
