13 Top-Rated Rice Salads

Insalata di Riso (Italian Rice Salad)
Photo by Buckwheat Queen.

Looking for a refreshing change from your usual pasta salad? Introducing 13 of our top rice salad recipes, coated in delicious dressing with colorful crunchy mix-ins. Making rice salad is a smart way to use up leftover rice — and you can substitute cooked and cooled rice for the pasta in your favorite pasta salad, too. Not only is it super simple do do, but it's also gluten-free! Take a look and find a rice salad to add to your lunch or side dish ideas.

01 of 13

Brown Rice and Black Bean Salad

Brown Rice and Black Bean Pasta
Brown Rice and Black Bean Pasta.

Rave Review: "This is one of our summer staples. It goes together quickly and easily; it's good for you and yummy. It's also very versatile. The first night it's a stand-alone salad; the second night, heat a portion in a pan with an additional canned veggie and it's a side dish!" —Ammaliatrice

02 of 13

Confetti Rice Salad

Confetti Rice Salad
Confette Rice Salad.

A deliciously colorful lunch with a sherry vinegar dressing. The best part: all the veggies can be prepped in 15 minutes or less.

03 of 13

Insalata di Riso (Italian Rice Salad)

rice salad with eggs, ham, olives in a wooden bowl
Buckwheat Queen

Rave Review: "This makes a great summer lunch, dinner, or picnic salad. The recipe as written is a great launching recipe - add anything you want or delete anything you don't want. You can make it vegetarian or add the meat and tuna. I added some chopped onion and a pinch of red pepper flakes for more flavor, and some chopped celery and red bell pepper for crunch." —Mike H

04 of 13

Mediterranean Rice Salad with Vegetables

Close up of Mediterranean Rice Salad with Vegetables
AllrecipesPhoto

A veggie-packed rice salad with pops of bright yellow bell pepper, tangy capers and lemony dressing. The preparation is easy, just cook the rice and throw everything in!

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Brown Rice and Belgian Endive Salad

Brown Rice and Belgian Endive Salad
Brown Rice and Belgian Endive Salad.

Rave Review: "Need a healthy snack or lunch that will keep you full? Belgian endive and brown rice make for a refreshing lunch. For more than one serving, just multiply. This recipe would be great for summer or fall picnics, too! Add finely chopped fruit such as oranges or apples." —kekadu

06 of 13

Rice and Ham Salad

Rice and Ham Salad
Rice and Ham Sa.

A lighter dish with a southern twist! Coated in French dressing, mayo and a touch of curry, this rice salad's pungent yellow color will draw the eye AND the taste buds.

07 of 13

Orzo and Wild Rice Salad

Orzo and Wild Rice Salad
Photo by SunnyDaysNora.

Rave Review: "This wonderful salad of pasta, currants, and vegetables is dressed with a tangy vinaigrette." —CWillemin

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Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad

Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad
Photo by Linda (LMT).

Rave Review: "I used white balsamic vinegar and loved the mild and pleasant sweet flavor combined with the tang of the Dijon mustard. The feta cheese was the crown jewel tying it all together. I liked it best after it was chilled. I will make this again without a doubt." —Linda (LMT)

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Spicy Forbidden Rice Salad

Spicy Forbidden Rice Salad
Photo by Buckwheat Queen.

An Asian-inspired salad with eye-catching black rice, a soy sauce base and vibrant veggies for color and crunch.

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Santa Fe Rice Salad

Santa Fe Rice Salad
Santa Fe Rice Salad.

A risotto-textured Mexican rice salad with fibrous black beans and spicy jalapeno. It only requires half an hour of cooling before it's time to devour!

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Classic Minnesota Wild Rice Salad

Classic Minnesota Wild Rice Salad
Classic Minnesota Wild Rice Salad

Rave Review: "Everyone really enjoys this salad; it features wild rice, chicken, and cashews along with plump juicy red grapes. Besides wild rice, the real star of this salad is the dressing that uses curry powder to provide a delicious and unique flavor. And like a lot of dishes, it is best served after sitting overnight to ensure all the flavors get a chance to know each other!!" —Scott Newell

12 of 13

Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad

Mexican Chicken and Rice

Serve up this comfort dish for dinner, and then eat it cold for lunch the next day after the flavors have marinated overnight!

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Eastern Rice Salad

Eastern Rice Salad
Photo by abbaplez.

Rave Review: "I made this for a women's luncheon. Everyone asked me for the recipe. Not only is it delicious and healthy it's also a nice change from your average green salad or pasta salad." —JUNEMAMA

Updated by
Emily Boyette
Emily Boyette

Emily Boyette is a highly qualified editor within the food media industry with eight-plus years of experience. From galleries and listicles to recipe manuscripts and articles, her knowledge of cooking goes beyond text. Emily is a writer for Allrecipes.

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