Waldorf Brown Rice Salad
Elevate your salad game with this wholesome and refreshing Waldorf Brown Rice Salad, a modern twist on the classic Waldorf favorite! Packed with hearty brown rice, crisp green and red apples, crunchy celery, sweet red grapes, and toasted walnuts, this dish offers a delightful medley of textures and flavors. Tossed in a creamy yet light Greek yogurt dressing with a hint of honey and lemon, this recipe balances indulgence and nutrition beautifully. Whether served as a satisfying side dish or a light main course, this vibrant salad is perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a healthy lunch. Ready in just under 45 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser brimming with wholesome ingredients and vibrant color!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 green apple
- 1 red apple
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 cup red seedless grapes
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the brown rice under cold water, then cook it in 2 cups of water according to the package instructions (usually around 25 minutes). Once cooked, let it cool to room temperature.
While the rice is cooling, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fragrant. Let them cool slightly and chop them coarsely.
Dice the green and red apples into bite-sized pieces, leaving the skin on for added texture and color. Toss them in a small bowl with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
Thinly slice the celery stalks and halve the red seedless grapes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled brown rice, apples, celery, grapes, and chopped walnuts.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the rice mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or plate, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1718 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 104.2 g | 134% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.7 g | 53% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 56.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 38 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 1428 mg | 62% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 164.9 g | 60% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.5 g | 80% | |
| Total Sugars | 79.2 g | ||
| Protein | 42.0 g | 84% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 415 mg | 32% | |
| Iron | 5.9 mg | 33% | |
| Potassium | 1770 mg | 38% | |
*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.
