Louisville Rice Salad

4.5
(10)
9 Reviews
4 Photos

This Louisville rice salad recipe is a delicious cold rice salad recipe given to me by my sister, who lived in Louisville, Kentucky, for many years. It's one of my favorite side dishes in the spring and summer. This is a very flexible recipe. You can substitute any fresh herbs you have on hand for the chives and tarragon, vary the nuts used, or use golden or dark raisins. We've made this recipe many different ways, and I've yet to discover a variation we didn't like!

Submitted by Diana S
Updated on June 8, 2025
4
4
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
6
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 cup uncooked white rice

  • ½ cup vegetable oil

  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice

  • ¼ cup wine vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

  • 1 teaspoon white sugar

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ cup toasted slivered almonds (Optional)

  • ½ cup raisins (Optional)

  • ½ cup mandarin orange segments, drained and coarsely chopped (Optional)

  • ½ cup finely chopped onion (Optional)

  • ½ cup finely chopped celery (Optional)

  • ½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper (Optional)

  • ½ cup green peas (Optional)

Directions

  1. Bring water and rice to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.

  2. Let rice cool for at least 30 minutes, stirring several times as it cools. Transfer to a large bowl.

  3. Mix oil, lemon juice, vinegar, chives, tarragon, sugar, and salt together in a bowl until sugar and salt dissolve.

  4. Pour dressing over rice and stir to combine.

  5. Mix your choice of slivered almonds, raisins, mandarin oranges, onion, celery, bell pepper, and peas into rice mixture; toss to combine.

  6. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.

Cook's Note:

Use your favorite color bell pepper; use at least 2 of the optional ingredients.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

400 Calories
23g Fat
44g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 400
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 23g 30%
Saturated Fat 3g 17%
Sodium 225mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 6g 11%
Vitamin C 26mg 29%
Calcium 56mg 4%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 327mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.