Mediterranean Rice Salad with Herbs and Feta is a delicious, versatile side dish! The fresh taste from the herbs, buttery olive oil, and tangy feta cheese give it a decidedly Mediterranean feel.
This Mediterranean rice salad can be served warm or cold, and is vegetarian and gluten-free, making it perfect year round. It can also be easily modified to suit your family’s tastes. Switch the brown rice for white, the feta for mozzarella, or the cannellini beans for garbanzos. It’s also a great way to use any leftover rice that you may have in your fridge.
It is important to use the best quality olive oil you can afford, as the flavor really comes through in this salad.
If you love feta cheese as much as I do, try this Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Feta and Fresh Mint or Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Pesto and Feta.
I hope that you enjoy this Mediterranean rice salad recipe!
- 1 cup brown or white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of one medium lemon
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 2 Tablespoons fresh oregano finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh chives minced
- 4 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
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Bring water, rice and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and cook for about 40 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Let stand covered, 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Cool to room temperature.
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In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and herbs. Toss over cooked, cooled rice. Add beans and feta, mixing just until combined.
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Season to taste.
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Can be served at room temperature or chilled.
If you make this salad, I’d love to hear from you! Leave me a comment, or come and visit me on Facebook to let me know what you’ve created!
Some of the items used in this post are available here for your convenience. (I receive a small percentage of sales at no extra cost to you. Thank you!)
mimi says
This is a beautiful and tasty salad! And there are so many fun ingredients you can add to it, which is what I love to do! Fabulous!
Cynthia says
Thanks Mimi!
Libby with Lemony Thyme says
You know I love all that fresh herb flavor, but the feta, white beans and lemon juice…Mediterranean lovefest. Delicious.
Cynthia says
Thanks Libby! We do love our feta!
Christina says
What a fabulous salad! I’ve see thought to make a salad with rice before and it’s so healthy, too! Love the options to change out the beans and cheese.
Cynthia says
We’ve made it with goat cheese too!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
So many fresh flavors! I could just dig right in.
Cynthia says
Thanks Brandon!
Debi @ Life Currents says
This is great! And, it’s a whole meal in a bowl. I think this would be perfect for a lunch. I always make my husband’s lunches, so this will have to go on the menu!
Cynthia says
It’s a great vegetarian meal Debi!
Mirlandra @ mirlandraskitchen.com says
This sounds really nice. I never thought to make a salad like this from rice. I am married to a rice fiend so you know I just have to give this a shot!
Cynthia says
Thank you Miralanda! My husband loves rice too!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
This rice looks amazing!! I love yummy side dishes and I need to make this asap! Pinned!! 😉
Cynthia says
Thank you so much Cyndi!
The Food Hunter says
I can’t wait to try this. my husband is going to love it
Cynthia says
So glad, let me know what he thinks!
susan @ the wimpy vegetarian says
Oh this is perfect for Spring! And I have a batch of freshly cooked brown rice in the refrigerator, so this recipe is perfect timing!
Cynthia says
Thanks Susan! It’s great for using up leftovers!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
This is a great looking salad Cynthia! I love salads like this – they make a great salad to take for work lunches!
Cynthia says
sorry for not responding Kristi, I guess this comment got buried! Thank you!
Catherine says
Dear Cynthia, this is right up my alley. What a wonderful side dish. I love adding crumbled feta to rice. Delish! xo, Catherine
Cynthia says
thank you Catherine! Feta is great in so many dishes!
Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Love those Mediterranean flavors!
Cynthia says
me too Sylvie!
Laura @ Family Spice says
Love all the flavors in your rice salad. What a great dish for potluck!
Cynthia says
Thank you Laura! It’s definitely a popular dish in the summertime at BBQs!
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
This is my kind of salad – great flavors here! Paired with a big pile of leafy greens, this is all I would need for lunch.
Cynthia says
me too Faith! it’s definitely the perfect light meal!
Carol Borchardt says
You had me at “Mediterranean!” I love all those flavors together and love the combination of rice and beans for a complete protein. Perfect for summer!
Cynthia says
haha Carol! me too!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
Such a gorgeous side dish! Love, love, love all of these flavors together!
Cynthia says
Thank you Becca…it is a delicious salad, and great for the summer.
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
I wouldn’t normally think of combining those ingredients with brown rice, but you sold me!
Cynthia says
Thanks Matt!
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
I don’t know how I would rather eat this – cold or hot! Both sound so fresh and tasty.
Cynthia says
We’ve eaten it both ways! Delicious either way!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
This looks wonderful! I love all the herbs and feta and I’m slightly addicted to cannellini beans at the moment, so this is a must try!
Cynthia says
Yes, I prefer cannellinis to just about any other bean!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Such a gorgeous salad! Love this Cynthia. Fresh lemon juice and all those fresh herbs. Delish!
Cynthia says
Thank you!
Melissa Falk says
I love your use of fresh herbs and cannellini beans in this rice dish. The bump up the nutrient factor and help keep you full longer. Nic!
Cynthia says
Thank you!
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
This is my kind of side dish! I love Mediterranean flavors and the more feta the better!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
This is the perfect salad for summer. I love anything with feta!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
This looks so, so good! I love cannellini beans! And feta! And herbs!
Taylor Kiser says
This side dish will be a bit hit at summer potluck parties and BBQs! Looks so fresh and delicious!
Danielle says
What great flavors here! A good quality olive oil is key. I keep a nice bottle in my cabinet for dishes like this, and a regular bottle for dishes that are less centered around the olive oil. And feta cheese is so awesome! What a tasy fresh salad 🙂
Cynthia says
That’s what I do…I have “every day” olive oil and olive oil for salads and dressing.