Italian Rice Salad

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

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Italian Rice Salad

A light and easy grain salad perfect for picnics and potlucks!

5 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: dairy free, healthy, make-ahead, rice, vegan, vegetarian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Steaming Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 180kcal

Author: Holly Gray

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 431mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1039IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

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