Brown Rice Salad with Edamame, Carrots and Sesame-Ginger Dressing
In short: Nutty brown rice with edamame, carrots, red cabbage and a sesame-ginger soy dressing. A sturdy, make-ahead salad for lunch boxes. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 405 kcal
Chewy brown rice, bright edamame, crunchy carrot and cabbage, and a sesame, ginger and soy dressing make a salad that holds up well in a lunch box. It tastes best after the rice has soaked up the dressing, so it suits meal prep. The rice is boiled in plenty of water like pasta, a method that gives separate, fluffy grains. Serve it cold or at room temperature.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the brown rice and boil for 30 to 35 minutes, until tender with a slight chew. Add the edamame for the last 3 minutes.
- Drain the rice and edamame in a sieve, rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking and shake off the excess. Spread on a tray to cool for 15 minutes.
- Whisk the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sunflower oil, maple syrup, ginger and garlic in a large bowl.
- Add the rice and edamame to the dressing and toss to coat while still slightly warm.
- Fold in the carrots, cabbage, spring onions and cilantro.
- Taste and adjust with more vinegar or soy sauce, scatter over the sesame seeds and serve.
Tips
- Frozen shelled edamame are cheap and ready to use. There is no need to thaw them, just add them to the pot for the last 3 minutes of the rice's cooking time.
- Cubes of baked tofu or tempeh turn this into a fuller meal. Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
Questions and answers
How long does brown rice salad keep?
It keeps for 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. The rice firms up when cold, so let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before eating.
Can I use white rice instead of brown?
Yes. Basmati or jasmine rice works well. Cook it for 12 to 15 minutes, then rinse and drain it before dressing.
Is edamame the same as soybeans?
Edamame are young green soybeans, picked before they harden. They are sold in the pod or shelled, and frozen ones are widely available.
How long does it take to make Brown Rice Salad with Edamame, Carrots and Sesame-Ginger Dressing?
About 55 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Brown Rice Salad with Edamame, Carrots and Sesame-Ginger Dressing?
About 405 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 54 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 405 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 54 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
