Vibrant Brown Rice Tabouli Salad
This Vibrant Brown Rice Tabouli Salad is a refreshing and nourishing dish perfect for warm summer days. Unlike traditional tabouli that uses bulgar, this version is gluten-free and packed with wholesome ingredients, making it ideal for those with dietary restrictions. Rich in flavors from zesty lemon and lime juice, fresh herbs, and crisp vegetables, it’s a delightful option that appeals to both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. Adding hearty extras transforms this salad into a complete meal, ensuring satisfaction for all. Make it ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully; it's even better the next day! This recipe is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a colorful side dish at your next barbeque.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Minute brown rice
1 1/2 cups (cooked according to package instructions)
Water
1 1/2 cups (for cooking rice)
Lemon juice
1/4 cup (freshly squeezed)
Lime juice
1/4 cup (freshly squeezed)
Olive oil
1/4 cup (extra virgin preferred)
Garlic cloves
3 (minced)
Fresh cilantro
1 1/2 cups (stemmed and chopped)
Fresh mint
1/4 cup (chopped)
Green onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
Medium cucumber
1 (seeded and chopped)
Plum tomatoes
3 (seeded and chopped)
Grape tomatoes
1 pint (cut in half)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil. Add the Minute brown rice, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook according to package instructions until the rice is tender.
2
Once the rice is cooked, remove it from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then allow it to cool completely in a large mixing bowl.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour this dressing over the cooled rice and mix thoroughly to coat evenly.
4
Once the rice is completely cooled, fold in the chopped cilantro, mint, green onions, cucumber, and tomatoes until evenly distributed.
5
For optimal flavor, let the salad sit in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the ingredients to marinate and enhances the overall taste.
6
Serve chilled or at room temperature, with optional add-ins as desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vibrant Brown Rice Tabouli Salad?
It is a refreshing and nourishing gluten-free version of traditional tabouli that uses brown rice instead of bulgur, packed with fresh herbs and crisp vegetables.
Is this Tabouli recipe gluten-free?
Yes, by using brown rice instead of traditional bulgur wheat, this recipe is entirely gluten-free.
Is the Vibrant Brown Rice Tabouli Salad vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is suitable for both vegetarians and meat-lovers.
What type of rice is used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically uses 1 1/2 cups of Minute brown rice.
How much water is needed to cook the rice?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of water to bring to a boil for the rice.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing is made by whisking together lemon juice, lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Should the rice be hot when I add the vegetables?
No, you should allow the rice to cool completely in a large mixing bowl before folding in the vegetables.
How long should the rice sit after cooking?
Once cooked, remove the rice from the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing it.
Can I make this salad in advance?
Yes, it is recommended to make it ahead of time and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight for optimal flavor.
What fresh herbs are required for this tabouli?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of fresh chopped cilantro and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 3 garlic cloves, which should be minced.
What kind of oil should I use?
Extra virgin olive oil is the preferred choice for this recipe.
What types of tomatoes are used?
The recipe uses 3 plum tomatoes (seeded and chopped) and 1 pint of grape tomatoes (cut in half).
Do I need to seed the cucumber?
Yes, the instructions specify to seed and chop one medium cucumber.
How much lemon and lime juice is used?
Use 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice.
What is the serving temperature for this salad?
You can serve the salad chilled or at room temperature.
Can I add protein to this salad?
Yes, adding hearty extras can transform this salad into a complete meal.
What makes the flavor better the next day?
Letting the salad sit allows the ingredients to marinate and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Is this recipe good for picnics?
Yes, it is perfect for picnics, potlucks, and summer barbeques.
How much salt and pepper is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper, both adjusted to taste.
What is the preparation for green onions?
You should use 1/2 cup of chopped green onions.
Is this a quick meal?
Yes, one of its tags is 'quick meal', especially if the rice is prepared ahead of time.
When do I add the dressing?
Pour the whisked dressing over the cooled rice and mix thoroughly before adding the vegetables and herbs.
Should the cilantro include the stems?
No, the cilantro should be stemmed before being chopped.
Is the cucumber chopped or sliced?
The cucumber should be seeded and chopped into pieces.
How should I fluff the rice?
After sitting covered for 5 minutes, fluff the cooked brown rice with a fork.
Does this recipe contain bulgur?
No, this version replaces traditional bulgur with brown rice.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 14 ingredients listed in this recipe.
What kind of pan do I need for the rice?
A medium saucepan is recommended for cooking the 1 1/2 cups of water and rice.
Can I serve this at a barbeque?
Yes, it makes a wonderful, colorful side dish for any barbeque.