Orange Basmati Salad
Brighten up your table with this vibrant and refreshing Orange Basmati Salad, a perfect harmony of fluffy basmati rice, juicy orange segments, and a medley of fresh herbs and crisp vegetables. Tossed in a zesty homemade orange vinaigrette with hints of honey and white wine vinegar, this salad strikes the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Every bite is bursting with freshness from ingredients like parsley, mint, cucumber, and red onion, making it an ideal side dish or light meal. Quick to prepare in just 30 minutes and chilled to perfection, this healthy and gluten-free salad is a crowd-pleaser for potlucks, picnics, or any weeknight dinner.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- 2 medium orange
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley
- 0.25 cup fresh mint
- 1 medium cucumber
- 0.25 cup red onion
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 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, combine the rinsed rice and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed. Fluff the rice with a fork and allow it to cool to room temperature.
While the rice cools, peel and segment the oranges. Cut the segments into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Reserve any juice that collects while cutting.
Finely chop the parsley and mint leaves. Dice the cucumber into small cubes and finely chop the red onion.
In a small bowl, make the vinaigrette by whisking together the olive oil, orange juice (including any reserved from cutting the oranges), white wine vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper.
In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled rice, chopped parsley, mint, cucumber, red onion, and orange segments. Pour the vinaigrette over the mixture and toss gently to combine.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve the Orange Basmati Salad cold or at room temperature as a refreshing light meal or side dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
851 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 43.8 g | 56% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.9 g | 34% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1223 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 104.2 g | 38% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.2 g | 33% | |
| Total Sugars | 38.1 g | ||
| Protein | 12.3 g | 25% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 241 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 5.9 mg | 33% | |
| Potassium | 1129 mg | 24% | |
*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.
