Vegan Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad with Tomatoes, Olives & Cucumber
Bright, herby, and packed with bold Mediterranean flavors, this wholesome grain salad is the kind of dish that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation. Juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny Kalamata olives, and fresh parsley come together over nutty brown rice for a combination that's satisfying without being heavy. The lemon-oregano dressing — sharpened with a touch of cumin — ties everything together in a way that feels far more complex than the handful of pantry staples it actually takes to make. Because every single ingredient here is naturally plant-based, there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out — it just works from the start. Letting the rice cool before tossing is a small but important step that keeps the vegetables crisp and the dressing from going flat. This salad holds up beautifully in the fridge for a few days, which makes it ideal for meal prep, packed lunches, or a quick weeknight side that's already waiting for you. Finish with the optional fresh mint if you have it — it adds a subtle brightness that really elevates the whole bowl.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the rice
- 1 cup long-grain brown rice
- 2 cups water
- ¼ tsp salt
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the salad
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 english cucumber, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the brown rice, water, and 1/4 tsp salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and cook until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is tender, about 40–45 minutes.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes, then spread it out in a large mixing bowl and let it cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
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