Description
This Crispy Rice Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish featuring golden toasted rice combined with crunchy fresh vegetables and a zesty lime-soy dressing. Perfect as a light meal or side, it balances texture and flavor with protein-packed edamame and aromatic cilantro.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- 1 cup white, brown, or jasmine rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup shelled edamame
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
Instructions
- Preheat the Pan: Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the olive oil, preparing it for toasting the rice.
- Toast the Rice: Add the raw, uncooked rice to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally for 5-7 minutes until the rice turns golden and crispy, developing a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Prepare the Salad Bowl: While the rice toasts, prepare a large salad bowl for mixing all ingredients together.
- Combine Vegetables: In the salad bowl, add diced cucumber, julienned carrot, diced bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion, shelled edamame, and chopped fresh cilantro. Toss gently to combine.
- Add Crispy Rice: Once the rice is crisply toasted, transfer it to the salad bowl and gently toss with the veggies to incorporate evenly.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle lime juice and soy sauce or tamari over the mixture. Toss again carefully to ensure everything is coated in the tangy, savory dressing.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately as a light meal or a refreshing side dish. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired.
Notes
- You can use any rice variety: white, brown, or jasmine depending on your preference.
- Be careful not to burn the rice while toasting; keep stirring often.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the rice and veggies.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra crunch and flavor if desired.
