Cold Asian Brown Rice Salad

Elevate your meal prep game with this vibrant and healthy Cold Asian Brown Rice Salad! This flavor-packed recipe combines nutty brown rice with crisp, refreshing vegetables like carrot, cucumber, and red bell pepper, all tossed in a tangy sesame-soy dressing infused with garlic, ginger, and lime juice. Topped with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro, this chilled salad is perfect for a light lunch, an easy side dish, or a make-ahead meal for busy weekdays. Quick to assemble and naturally gluten-free with a customizable sweetness level using honey or agave, this recipe delivers a delicious balance of crunch, zest, and wholesome goodness.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups brown rice
• 3 cups water
• 1 large carrot
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 medium cucumber
• 3 stalks green onions
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the brown rice under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the brown rice and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.

Step 3

Remove the rice from heat, fluff with a fork, and let it cool completely to room temperature. You can speed this up by spreading the rice out on a baking sheet or placing it in the fridge.

Step 4

While the rice cools, prepare the vegetables: peel and julienne the carrot, dice the red bell pepper and cucumber, and finely slice the green onions. Chop the fresh cilantro leaves.

Step 5

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey (or agave syrup), grated ginger, minced garlic, and lime juice to make the dressing.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled brown rice, prepared vegetables, and fresh cilantro. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.

Step 7

Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the salad and toss gently once more.

Step 8

Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 9

Serve the salad cold, garnish with additional cilantro or sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1622.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	747.7

Total Fat 24.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1827.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 119.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.6g	0%
Total Sugars 30.3g
Protein 19.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 327.3mg	0%
Iron 6.2mg	0%
Potassium 1281.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.5%

Protein: 9.8%

Carbs: 61.7%