Cold Asian Brown Rice Salad
Elevate your meal prep game with this vibrant and healthy Cold Asian Brown Rice Salad! This flavor-packed recipe combines nutty brown rice with crisp, refreshing vegetables like carrot, cucumber, and red bell pepper, all tossed in a tangy sesame-soy dressing infused with garlic, ginger, and lime juice. Topped with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro, this chilled salad is perfect for a light lunch, an easy side dish, or a make-ahead meal for busy weekdays. Quick to assemble and naturally gluten-free with a customizable sweetness level using honey or agave, this recipe delivers a delicious balance of crunch, zest, and wholesome goodness.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups brown rice
- 3 cups water
- 1 large carrot
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 medium cucumber
- 3 stalks green onions
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
Rinse the brown rice under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer.
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown rice and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
Remove the rice from heat, fluff with a fork, and let it cool completely to room temperature. You can speed this up by spreading the rice out on a baking sheet or placing it in the fridge.
While the rice cools, prepare the vegetables: peel and julienne the carrot, dice the red bell pepper and cucumber, and finely slice the green onions. Chop the fresh cilantro leaves.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey (or agave syrup), grated ginger, minced garlic, and lime juice to make the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled brown rice, prepared vegetables, and fresh cilantro. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the salad and toss gently once more.
Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve the salad cold, garnish with additional cilantro or sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
748 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.6 g | 32% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.7 g | 18% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1827 mg | 79% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 119.6 g | 43% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.6 g | 52% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.3 g | ||
| Protein | 19.0 g | 38% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 327 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 6.2 mg | 34% | |
| Potassium | 1282 mg | 27% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
