With just a few simple key ingredients and lots of fresh veggies, this Mediterranean Rice Salad Recipe is the perfect summer side dish you’ll want to make over and over again. The salad is filling, wholesome, nutritious, and flavorful. Even better, it works well with pretty much anything and can even be enjoyed on its own.
Recently, I made a big batch of my air fryer salmon bites, and I really wanted something effortless to team up with it. And that’s when I thought of making this tangy, crunchy rice salad.
Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this easy side dish is perfect for hot summer days. I love serving it with my pesto salmon, and even with some simple grilled chicken dishes.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Rice Salad Recipe
- Great for potlucks: This crowd-pleaser is perfect to make in a big batch and carry along for a potluck.
- Easy to make: It takes just a handful of pantry staples and under 30 minutes to make this easy rice salad.
- Wholesome: The salad packs in lots of healthy ingredients, which makes it a great meal or side dish for the whole family to enjoy.
- Versatile: The flavors of the salad are simple, which makes it perfect to pair with pretty much any main of your choice.
Ingredients
- Rice: I used long-grain white rice for this recipe. Basmati rice is perfect, but you could also choose any other variety for this summer rice salad.
- Cheese: Feta cheese is what works best here. It has the perfect texture and tang and lends the salad that ‘Greek’ flavor.
- Olive oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Honey: Just a dash of honey will balance the tanginess of the cheese in this Mediterranean rice salad.
- Vinegar: Use apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or just your regular white vinegar- whatever you prefer.
- Veggies: For the salad element of the dish, I used a mix of cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, sweet red bell pepper, and some olives. Use fresh produce and kalamata olives for best results.
- Seasonings: To season the dish, I just used some salt, crushed black pepper, and some oregano.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Rice swap: Swap the long grain rice for other grains like brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, or couscous if you want to.
- Protein-rich: Add some canned chickpeas or beans to this Greek salad with rice and transform it into a protein-packed salad.
- Veggie packed: Throw in some more veggies like carrots, bell peppers, green onions, artichoke hearts, capers, or rocket leaves to add more flavor and deliciousness to the salad.
- Vegan: Swap the feta cheese for vegan cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey to make the dish vegan.
How to Make Rice Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prep rice. Cook the rice and then spread it on a rimmed baking sheet and allow it to cool down completely.
Step 2: Prepare dressing. In a small bowl, combine half of the feta cheese, olive oil, vinegar, honey, and seasonings. Use a whisk or a hand blender to blend everything.
Step 3: Prep salad. Combine the rice, veggies, seasonings, feta, and salad dressing in a large bowl and toss well.
Step 4: Serve and enjoy. Serve right away or chill in the fridge. It's great cold or at room temperature.
Hint: Start chopping the veggies and prepping the salad dressing as the rice is getting cooked. This allows you to get the salad ready in just 20 minutes, if not less.
If you love easy salad recipes like this one with rice, you may also enjoy this Greek pasta salad too!
Storage
- Storing: If you have any leftover Greek rice salad, you can transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
- Make Ahead: You can also meal prep the salad ahead of time. Simply let the cooked rice cool completely, transfer it to an airtight container, and refrigerate it. Prepare the salad dressing
Serving Suggestions
This healthy and flavorful rice salad is the perfect teammate for any grilled or baked meat.
I particularly enjoy serving this healthy salad with my Olive Garden-style herb grilled salmon, and I also think it would work wonderfully with my baked chicken kiev and even some juicy garlic chicken thighs.
Recipe Tips
- Use good quality: Good quality, long-grain rice is the foundation of this salad. Choose the best aged rice that you can get your hands on.
- Extra tang: Don’t have vinegar or just need a bit of extra tang? Add in some lemon juice and a pinch or two of lemon zest.
- Wash rice: The key to getting the perfect, fluffy rice grains is to wash the rice at least three times, ideally until the water runs clear, and then soak it for 15 minutes before you cook it. Doing this removes the excess starch and keeps the rice from clumping together.
- Add some freshness: Don’t underestimate the power of fresh herbs! Add lots of chopped herbs of your choice to brighten up this salad.
Recipe FAQ's
You can! This cold rice salad recipe is actually a great way to use leftover cooked rice.
You sure can. Just make sure you add just enough water to cook the rice and fluff the rice with a fork before you use it for the recipe.
How to Make Video
More Delicious Rice Recipes
Do you like rice recipes? Here are some more recipes you may also like to try!
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Mediterranean Rice Salad
Ingredients
Rice
- 1 ½ cups long grain rice brown rice, basmati rice, black rice, quinoa, couscous and a wild rice blend are also an option if desired
Dressing
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled, divided
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 2-3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
Instructions
Prepare Rice
- Prepare your rice, or whatever you are using, according to package directions.
- If using long grain rice, boil for around 13 or 14 minutes. Drain rice if necessary and spread rice all over rimmed baking sheet to cool completely, between 20 and 30 minutes.
Make Your Dressing
- Using a hand blender or food processor, combine, ½ cup feta, oil, vinegar, honey, and oregano until smooth. Set aside until rice is ready and cool. You don't want to leave your fresh vegetables soaking for longer than an hour without the rice.
- Transfer to a large bowl and add cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, peppers, red onions.
Make Your Salad
- Add cool rice and remaining feta to bowl with all of your chopped vegetables. Toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve.
Notes
- Use good quality: Good quality, long-grain rice is the foundation of this salad. Choose the best aged rice that you can get your hands on.
- Extra tang: Don’t have vinegar or just need a bit of extra tang? Add in some lemon juice and a pinch or two of lemon zest.
- Wash rice: The key to getting the perfect, fluffy rice grains is to wash the rice at least three times, ideally until the water runs clear, and then soak it for 15 minutes before you cook it. Doing this removes the excess starch and keeps the rice from clumping together.
- Add some freshness: Don’t underestimate the power of fresh herbs! Add lots of chopped herbs of your choice to brighten up this salad.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in January 2020. It has been updated with new images and content.
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