Description
This Mediterranean Rice Salad is a hearty, wholesome, and super healthy dish that serves as a perfect side or main course. Featuring cooked rice mixed with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, sweet peppers, red onions, and a tangy feta dressing, this salad embodies vibrant Mediterranean flavors. It’s easy to prepare and pairs wonderfully with grilled or baked meats, making it an ideal addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Rice
- 1 ½ cups long grain rice (brown rice, basmati rice, black rice, quinoa, couscous, or wild rice blend can also be used)
Dressing
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled, divided
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 2-3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salad
- 1 English cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, and chopped
- 1 ¼ cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup olives, pitted and chopped or sliced
- 1 small purple onion, sliced or chopped
- 1 ¼ cups sweet pepper (any color), chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Rice: Cook the rice according to the package directions. For long grain rice, boil for approximately 13 to 14 minutes. Drain the rice if necessary, then spread it evenly on a rimmed baking sheet to cool completely for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Make Dressing: In a food processor or using a hand blender, combine ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, and dried oregano. Blend until smooth. Set the dressing aside until the rice has cooled to prevent the vegetables from sitting too long.
- Assemble Salad: Transfer the dressing to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped cucumbers, halved tomatoes, chopped olives, chopped sweet peppers, and sliced red onions. Mix well to combine flavors.
- Add Rice and Feta: Once the rice is completely cool, add it to the bowl along with the remaining ½ cup crumbled feta cheese. Toss everything together until well incorporated.
- Season and Serve: Taste the salad and season with salt and black pepper as desired. Serve immediately or chill briefly before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- You can substitute the rice with other grains like quinoa, couscous, or wild rice blend based on your preference.
- Allow the rice to cool completely to prevent the fresh vegetables from wilting.
- Adjust the honey amount in the dressing according to your desired sweetness level.
- This salad pairs excellently with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or can be enjoyed as a light main dish.
- For added freshness, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or mint if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
