Moroccan Rice Salad
Bring the vibrant flavors of North Africa to your table with this Moroccan Rice Salad, a refreshing and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion. This recipe combines fluffy basmati rice with sweet raisins, crunchy toasted almonds, and protein-packed chickpeas for a delightful balance of textures. Warm spices like cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric infuse every bite with exotic aroma, while a zesty dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and honey ties everything together. Finished with fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro, this colorful salad is as visually striking as it is delicious. Serve it as a main course or a side dish—either way, this gluten-free, vegetarian recipe is destined to become a mealtime favorite. Perfect for meal prep or a potluck, this Moroccan-inspired rice salad can be served chilled or at room temperature.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 0.5 cup raisins
- 0.5 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 1 cup chickpeas, cooked
- 1 carrot, grated
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice and salt, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
Remove the rice from heat and fluff it with a fork. Spread it on a large plate or tray to cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground turmeric, lemon juice, honey, and black pepper to create a dressing.
Once the rice has cooled, add it to the bowl with the dressing.
Gently fold in the raisins, toasted slivered almonds, chickpeas, grated carrot, parsley, and cilantro.
Toss everything until well combined and the dressing evenly coats all the ingredients.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours and serve chilled.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2167 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 81.1 g | 104% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.7 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1362 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 317.0 g | 115% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.0 g | 132% | |
| Total Sugars | 77.8 g | ||
| Protein | 53.2 g | 106% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 621 mg | 48% | |
| Iron | 20.1 mg | 112% | |
| Potassium | 2978 mg | 63% | |
*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.
