This Brown Rice Salad is simple, easy to make and pretty filling. It’s an everyday salad that you can also serve for special occasions. With cooked brown rice as the base, it’s loaded with lean protein, crispy ingredients and some tangy balsamic vinegar.
I also find that it’s super versatile. I’ll sometimes use leftover brown rice for a quick lunch, or make a batch of brown rice salad for meal prep so you’ve got ready-to-go meals all week. I love that it comes together in one bowl with min clean up; a fresh, gluten free salad that’s as practical as it is delicious.
If you loved this salad with brown rice, try my Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, this Chopped Caprese Salad or my Spicy Chicken Salad. Here’s more inspiration if you want to try new Gluten Free Lunch Ideas.
Why you’ll love this gluten free recipe
It’s also made with everyday ingredient so it’s perfect for my busy days.
This recipe is the ultimate brown rice salad for meal prep. It gives me wholesome grab-and-go lunches all week!
A cooked brown rice salad is a great way to put that freshly cooked brown rice to good use. Same goes for leftover rice. You can easily use it to make a leftover brown rice salad everyone will love.
It’s easy to double or triple the recipe and take it as a brown rice salad potluck dish. Or a brown rice salad picnic dish!
For minimal wash-up, which you know I love, everything comes together in one bowl with simple.
Ingredients and substitutions
Lettuce: I like to use a sturdy leaf in my chopped salads. Romaine or cos lettuce are really good as it holds up to the dressing and stays crunchy.
Turkey cold cut: You could also use leftover roast turkey or chicken in this brown rice salad.
Eggs: You’ll need 2 hard boiled eggs or just cooked egg whites.
Crispy turkey bacon: I love the smoky and saltiness from this bacon as well as the crunchy texture.
Cucumber: Just good old cucumber with the skin and seeds. You could also use pickled if you like their tang.
Brown rice: Swap it with white rice or basmati rice if you like but I love the nutty flavor in brown rice.
Balsamic vinegar or dressing: Whatever you love using. You can use olive oil, lemon juice and parsley instead of balsamic.
Directions (step by step)
Prepare the brown rice: Gather all your brown rice salad ingredients. Cook the brown rice as per the package instructions. Cool it and set it to one side.
Lay out the lettuce: Lay the lettuce leaves out on a clean cutting board.
Top with other ingredients: Top with the turkey cold cuts, hard boiled egg (or cooked egg whites), turkey bacon and sliced cucumbers.
Chop: Chop everything into small pieces. You want everything to be the same size.
Combine the salad and rice ingredients: Add all your chopped ingredients into a salad bowl. Add the brown rice to the bowl.
Dress the Mediterranean brown rice salad: Drizzle over a little of your favorite dressing or some balsamic vinegar.
Toss and serve: Mix everything with a fork until the ingredients are dressed.
Expert tips and tricks
Cool the rice properly: Let the brown rice cool slightly before mixing it in with the lettuce and other salad ingredients. If it’s too hot, it can wilt the lettuce or make it turn soggy.
Chop evenly: Cut all the ingredients into uniform, bite sized pieces so every forkful has a good mix of flavors and textures.
Make it ahead: Cook the rice and boil the eggs in advance. This honestly just makes such a difference to my life.
Make it extra crunchy: Add in some gluten free croutons, sunflower seeds or toasted nuts for more texture.
Storage and meal prepping
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days.
If making ahead, store the balsamic dressing (or chosen dressing) in a small container and mix it in just before serving to prevent sogginess.
Cooked brown rice can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For a grab and go option: Layer ingredients into a mason jar with the dressing at the bottom, then the rice and proteins. Lettuce goes on top!
Variations
Add avocado, tomatoes and onions for a different flavor variation.
I love adding a squeeze of lemon and chickpeas for a lemony brown rice salad with chickpeas.
Fold in cranberries or chopped apple for a more seasonal Brown Rice Salad.
FAQs
What other greens can you use besides romaine?
Cos lettuce is great in this cold brown rice salad.
Is this summer brown rice salad recipe gluten free?
Yes, this is a gluten-free brown rice salad.
What other dressings can I use as a brown rice salad dressing?
Make it with olive oil, lemon juice and parsley instead of balsamic.
Is this recipe vegan?
Yes, this is a vegan brown rice salad.
Is this easy brown rice salad dairy free?
Yep! This brown rice salad recipe sure is dairy free.
Looking for more gluten free recipes
Brown Rice Salad (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 3-5 pieces of lettuce
- 3-5 pieces of turkey cold cut
- 2 hard boiled eggs or just egg whites
- 2-3 slices crispy turkey bacon
- 4 slices of cucumber
- 1 cup brown rice cooked
- 2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar or dressing
Instructions
- Cook 1 cup of brown rice according to the package directions. Once cooked, set it aside to cool slightly.
- On a clean cutting board, lay out the lettuce, turkey cold cuts, hard-boiled eggs (or egg whites), crispy turkey bacon, and cucumber slices. Carefully chop all these ingredients into small, uniform, bite-sized pieces. The goal is to get everything finely diced so it blends well in the salad.
- Transfer all of your finely chopped ingredients into a medium-sized salad bowl.
- Spoon the cooked brown rice over the chopped ingredients in the bowl.
- Drizzle generously with 2 to 3 tablespoons of your favorite balsamic vinegar or dressing.
- Using a fork, thoroughly mix all the ingredients together until the dressing coats everything evenly and the rice is well incorporated.
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