Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad with Feta Cheese and Brown Rice

Bright, refreshing, and hearty, this Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad with Feta Cheese and Brown Rice is the perfect blend of Mediterranean-inspired flavors and wholesome nutrition. Juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and fragrant fresh basil form the foundation of this vibrant dish, while nutty brown rice adds an irresistible hearty twist. The tangy dressing, made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and a hint of garlic, ties everything together beautifully, while crumbled feta cheese provides a creamy, salty finish. Ready in just 40 minutes and easy to customize, this salad makes a delightful side dish or a satisfying vegetarian main. Perfect for meal prep or enjoying fresh on a summer evening, it’s packed with flavor and nutrients in every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 cups water
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the brown rice under cold water and drain.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the brown rice and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.

Step 4

Remove the saucepan from heat, let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Set it aside to cool.

Step 5

While the rice cools, slice the cherry tomatoes in half, peel and dice the cucumber, and chop the basil leaves into thin ribbons.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled brown rice, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and basil.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 8

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

Step 9

Add the crumbled feta cheese on top and lightly toss again, being careful not to break the feta too much.

Step 10

Serve immediately or refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to chill before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1296.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	879.6

Total Fat 56.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 100mg	0%
Sodium 2487.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 69.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.9g	0%
Total Sugars 12.4g
Protein 25.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 690.7mg	0%
Iron 3.7mg	0%
Potassium 1067.3mg	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: 57.2%

Protein: 11.6%

Carbs: 31.2%