Rice salad: quick recipe and cooking tips

Updated: July 1, 2025 • Reading time ≈12 min.

1. Why is rice salad the hit of the summer?

Rice salad is a bit like the king of fresh, easy, and super complete dishes when the warmer weather arrives. Whether it's made with crunchy vegetables, protein, or even fruit, rice salad can earn a place of honor on your table, whether it's for a picnic, barbecue, or quick meal. Easy to make and full of color, it's a favorite with everyone.

And if you're looking to enhance your next meal, I'm taking you on a 100% rice salad adventure, with cooking tips, original recipes, and even ideas to accompany this summer staple. The icing on the cake: I'm also giving you useful links to upgrade your grills and master the Cook & Chill in an air fryer.

2. Ingredients for a successful rice salad

3. Cooking rice perfectly: tips and tricks

For a successful rice salad, cooking the rice is crucial. You want rice with well-detached grains, neither too soft nor too dry. Here's the recipe for success:

1. Rinse your rice several times in cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
2. Use a saucepan with a generous amount of water, about 3 times the volume of rice.
3. Bring to a boil, add a pinch of salt and throw in the rice.
4. Let it cook gently, covered, without stirring often, according to the time indicated on your package (generally between 8 and 12 minutes).
5. Stop cooking as soon as the grains are tender but firm, then drain and run them under cold water to stop cooking and cool.

You can also try the Air Fryer option for pan-fried rice, but be careful with the dosage - if you're interested, take a look at our 2025 comparison of the best Air Fryers , it can really make your life easier.

4. The quick and easy recipe for your homemade rice salad

Let's get down to business with a best-selling recipe that I love to prepare, full of flavor, colorful and light.

Preparation :

1. Cook your rice using the method explained above, then cool it.
2. In a large bowl, mix the cooled rice with all the vegetables, ham and eggs.
3. In a bowl, prepare your vinaigrette with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour it over the salad.
4. Mix gently so as not to crush the ingredients.
5. Add the basil leaves for flavor.
6. Cover and let stand in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so that the flavors blend well.

You can also take advantage of a nice day to take out the barbecue next door and grill some kebabs at the same time, a guaranteed winning combination of fresh and crunchy.

5. Rice salad variations to impress your friends

Want a change? Rice salad adapts to all your desires, take a look:

• Veggie version: replace the ham with smoked tofu and add sliced ​​black olives.
• Mediterranean flavors: dishes of sundried tomatoes, marinated artichokes and crumbled feta.
• Exotic version: add diced mango, fresh coriander and a little sweet chili.
• Thai Rice Salad: Jasmine rice, roasted peanuts, cucumber, mint, and soy/lime sauce.

6. Conservation and anti-waste tips

You can prepare your rice salad up to 2 days in advance in the fridge, and it will even be more flavorful! To prevent it from becoming soggy:

• Drain the rice well before mixing.
• Add the dressing at the last moment or reserve a little to adjust before serving.

To limit waste, recycle leftover vegetables into salads or soups, and don't hesitate to grill forgotten vegetables on the barbecue that you can incorporate into your salad.

7. Accompaniments and gourmet ideas

Here are some ideas for pairing your rice salad:

• Grills: chicken skewers, merguez, pork chops and grilled vegetables.
• Fish: grilled salmon fillet or sautéed shrimp with garlic.
• Drinks: a fresh, fruity rosé or a sparkling homemade lemonade.

8. Rice salad FAQ

Can you use brown rice for salad?

Yes, very good idea for more fiber! You just have to adjust the cooking time, which is often longer.

How to prevent salad from being too sticky?

Rinse the rice well after cooking to remove the starch and let it cool in the open air before mixing.

Can I prepare it the day before?

No worries, it will be even better! Just remember to cover it well to keep it fresh.

What other fresh recipes can I try this summer?

You can complete this meal with air-fryer roasted vegetables or grilled corn. Check out our great guide to air fryers to help you choose the perfect model.

9. Verdict & tips for your next salad

Rice salad isn't complicated, but a little personal touch, the quality of the ingredients, and the timing of the cooking make all the difference. Now you have everything you need to enjoy it all summer long, freshness guaranteed. And why not pair it with a good barbecue for a successful party combo?

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