Italian Rice Salad ~
A light and easy grain salad with spinach, peppers, cucumbers, and olives tossed in Italian-style dressing.
This rice salad can be served chilled or at room temperature, making it perfect for picnics and potlucks!
Try serving this cool and refreshing side dish with Vegan Italian Sausage Burgers or Grilled Polenta!
Ingredients for Italian Rice Salad
You will need:
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped
Optional Add-Ins
This recipe is very versatile so it’s easy to add or omit ingredients as it suits your style.
The salad is delicious as is, but if you want to make it into a heartier main dish, try adding one or more of these tasty options with the veggies in Step 6:
- chickpeas/garbanzo beans
- cannellini beans
- green olives
- capers
- red onion
- artichoke hearts
- vegan mozzarella cheese
- sun-dried tomatoes
How to Make Italian Rice Salad
STEP ONE: In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil.
STEP TWO: Add salt and rice.
STEP THREE: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, until rice is cooked. Transfer the rice to a medium-sized bowl.
STEP FOUR: Stir in the spinach and Italian dressing.
STEP FIVE: Let the spinach and rice sit for about 20 minutes, until it stops steaming.
STEP SIX: Stir in the bell pepper, cucumber, and olives.
STEP SEVEN: Serve at room temperature or refrigerate until chilled.
More Rice Recipes You’ll Love!
- Scallion Rice
- Mexican Rice and Black Beans
- Roasted Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Lime Rice Bowls
- Asian Mushroom Rice
- Green Chile Rice and Black Bean Soup
Follow This Wife Cooks on Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest for more plant-based recipes!
Italian Rice Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
- 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1/2 cup cucumber chopped
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives chopped
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil.
- Add salt and rice.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, until rice is cooked. Transfer the rice to a medium-sized bowl.
- Stir in the spinach and Italian dressing.
- Let the spinach and rice sit for about 20 minutes, until it stops steaming.
- Stir in the bell pepper, cucumber, and olives.
- Serve at room temperature or refrigerate until chilled.
Kayla DiMaggio
This was the perfect rice salad for meal prep lunches! We loved it so much!
Anthony
This looks perfect for a healthy tasty lunch for on the go. I will definitely be making this for my work lunches this week. Thanks for the recipe. 🌱💪
Anthony
Fantastic 🌱❤️
nancy
lovely adding rice to this salad!
Amanda
Love this Italian rice salad! It’s super simple to make and delicious
Marinela
Love Italian-inspired recipes and this healthy rice salad was perfection. Super tasty, filling, and so nourishing. Love the addition of fresh spinach, as well.
Michelle
This Italian rice salad is so refreshing and flavorful. It makes such a great side dish.