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Brown Rice Greek Salad

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Brown rice is given a Greek twist with roasted cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, creamy feta and kalamata olives.

Brown Rice Greek Salad - a gluten free side dish recipe

It is hard to believe that a year ago today, I was in the hospital getting ready to have my first baby!  Tomorrow my son turns one and I honestly can’t believe it. 

Brown Rice Greek Salad - a healthy and clean side dish recipe

Everyone warned me it would fly by and I knew it would as well.  The first year is such a crazy blurr of desperately trying to sleep, shower and wear clean clothes that before you know it: he’s headed to preschool!

Needless to say, we are celebrating BIG this weekend! In honor of the cake, ice cream and celebratory beer for Mommy and Daddy, I am sharing one of my favorite “back on track” recipes. Or, as I like to call it “back in the salad.”

Brown Rice Greek Salad - a healthy gluten free side dish recipe

Greek salad and all of it’s salty, crunchy, creamy, briny goodness is one of my go-to favorite ways to serve whole grains.  I’ve done it before and I’m doing it again, my friends.

In the meantime, I have a little boy to snuggle.

Your fork is waiting.

4 from 13 votes
Brown Rice Greek Salad
Print
Brown Rice Greek Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 
Brown rice is given a Greek twist with roasted cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, creamy feta and kalamata olives.
Course: Side
Cuisine: greek
Servings: 4
Calories: 234 kcal
Author: Liz DellaCroce
Ingredients
  • 1 c brown rice prepared
  • 1 c chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1 c cherry tomatoes roasted or fresh see below for directions on roasting
  • 1 c cucumber diced
  • 1/2 c scallions minced
  • 1/2 c corn fresh, frozen, leftover grilled, etc.
  • 1/4 c feta cheese crumbled
  • 1/2 c kalamata olives
  • 1 Zest and juice of lemon
  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 1 tbs dried oregano
  • 1 tbs dried mint
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
US Measurements - Convert to Metric
Instructions
  1. To roast cherry tomatoes, pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking pan with an even layer of tomatoes and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 30 minutes; let cool.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine brown rice with tomatoes, chickpeas, cucumber, scallions, corn, feta and olives.
  3. Stir in lemon juice, zest, olive oil, oregano, mint, garlic, salt and pepper.
  4. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Brown Rice Greek Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 234 Calories from Fat 77
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8.6g 13%
Saturated Fat 1.9g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.2g
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 300mg 13%
Total Carbohydrates 31g 10%
Dietary Fiber 6g 24%
Sugars 3.5g
Protein 8.6g 17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

brown-rice-greek-salad

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. We’re new to the whole brown rice thing and we’ve cooked it a few times, and it’s still coming out still crunchy! What do you do to make sure yours is soft enough to absorb all the flavors you’re mixing in with this awesome sounding salad? I want to make this so badly and I could sub white rice my husband and I are both having to switch to whole grains for our diets. Please share your trick!

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • You need to find a good brand! I love the Trader Joe’s frozen organic brown rice or the Uncle Ben’s 90 second brown rice. I’ve used Japanese style brown rice also but each brand is different so you have to follow their specific instructions I’m afraid. Another option is bulgur, spelt, farro or freekah. I love Bob’s Red Mill brand of all of those!

      Reply

  2. I doubled the recipe,, added 1 1/2 cups of artichoke hearts (water base, drained.) Reduced the amount of mint to 1 tsp. It was a huge hit for everyone, even the ones who don’t care for brown rice! The roasted cherry tomatoes are really easy to do (I just cut them in half and followed the directions, perfect!) I did keep the lemon zest down to one lemon w/juice, even after doubling the recipe.
    The only thing I will do differently next time is add a bit more corn and those delicious roasted tomatoes!
    PS. We were camping, I forgot to bring the garbanzo beans so used kidney beans instead. It was still delicious!

    Reply

      • Hi, this recipe looks amazing. I think she thought that, because you said you were int he hospital a year ago giving birth and that your son is turning one and going to preschool….? I did a double take as well, but got distracted by the awesome salad to dwell on it! Thank you so much. I’m going to give it a try tonight!

        Reply

  4. Wow sounds amazing. I am going to try this today so I can take with me to work for the week. Do you think this will stay good for the week? Also, can I use canned corn? Thanks for the lovely recipes.

    Reply

  6. This was divine! I used pre-cooked frozen brown rice (thank you Kroger!!) and regular black olives (I don’t like Kalamata). I also HATE Chic-peas, but I ate them anyway and was pleased I couldn’t really taste them. I added shredded cooked chicken to my portion and made it a complete meal. Next time I might cut back on the mint just a bit because it seemed to overwhelm the rest of the seasonings. Although I like feeling like I’ve just chewed gum after I ate. Makes me less nervous about garlic breath! LOL! This is going into my rotation.

    Reply

    • Oh I’m so thrilled to hear you liked it!!! And yes that’s exactly right, fresh mint is similar to parsley and is great for combatting garlic breath. ;-) Thanks for the feedback!

      Reply

  7. Just found your blog and this is the first page I’ve seen. This salad sounds TERRIFIC!
    Off to read more. Thanks so much.

    Reply

  8. Hey Liz, thanks for such a prompt response. Since we know that rice and pasta quantities will double when cooked, I didn’t want the rice to take over the recipe. I love brown rice but I will follow your recipe and I know it will be great!

    Reply

  9. Hi Liz. I found this Brown Rice Greek salad recipe on PINTEREST and I’ve already added the ingredients to my grocery list. I plan on making this real soon, looks delish.
    My question is about the rice. Did you start with 1 cup of uncooked rice? as this will double when cooked?
    Also, Happy Birthday to your little man. He is adorable!

    Reply

    • Hi Jane – Great question! I actually only used 1 cup of cooked brown rice (which was 1/2 cup uncooked.) By the time you add all of the vegetables, beans and other items it bulks up to over 4 cups which is the reason for the 1 cup serving. Of course, feel free to add more rice if you wish!! Thank you so much for the birthday wishes – that is sweet of you!! :)

      Reply

  13. this is so good. I’ve made it 3 times already and have given the recipe out to quite a few of my friends. Thank you so much.

    Reply

  14. This was so delicious! Made it exactly as written and it was perfect. So much flavor. Enjoyed it along with some pita bread and hummus. My taste buds are still singing.

    Reply

  15. I really love your recipes and how your site is designed. Very colorful and easy to navigate. Love your rules for cooking chicken breasts..will follow them! This salad looks delicious and healthy.

    Reply

  16. I’m guessing the chickpeas, and everything on the list after ‘olives’, are to be added to the rice/salad, too? Ingredients listed but no further mention in instructions.

    Reply

    • Hi Kelly- I apologize for that- I’m not sure what happened but I must have lost my mind! Recipe has been revised. Let me know if you have any other questions and I hope you enjoy the salad!

      Reply

  17. This variation of Greek salad really intrigues me. As a Greek myself, we have greek salad at almost every meal of ours, so kalamata olives and feta cheese are ingredients always stored in the refrigerator. So this would be a nice delicious addition to change things up a little bit! Will certainly try that!

    Reply

  21. First, happy birthday to your little man :) He is such a cutie!! I hope you all have a great celebration.

    You salad, gorgeous! It looks rich, delicious and packed with a healthy punch – – sounds wonderful to me.

    Reply

  23. This is seriously delish ! Looking for interesting ways to spruce up brown rice & this looks so wholesome & fresh ! Oooh the pic of you and your little man is too cute :) Happy birthday !!

    Reply

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