This Crispy Rice Salad Is the Best Way to Use Leftover Rice

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This crispy rice salad with cucumber and edamame strikes the perfect balance of crispy, fresh and savory, ideal for a light lunch or side dish. The rice is tossed with curry paste and baked until crispy, adding a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the freshness of smashed cucumbers. The smashed cucumbers release their juices, which blend with the dressing to create a refreshing, tangy base. Small Persian cucumbers have a thin skin and very few seeds, making them ideal for smashing.

Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
6
the ingredients to make the Crispy Rice Salad with Cucumber & Edamame

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons canola or grapeseed oil, divided

  • 2 teaspoons red curry paste

  • 2 cups cold cooked long-grain brown rice

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

  • 3 Persian cucumbers

  • 1 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed

  • 1 small shallot, thinly sliced (about 3 tablespoons)

  • 1 small Thai chile pepper, thinly sliced crosswise (optional)

  • 1 ripe avocado, chopped

  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

  • 2 tablespoons torn fresh mint, plus more for garnish

  • 2 tablespoons torn fresh basil, plus more for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F with a rack in upper third position. Whisk 1 tablespoon oil and 2 teaspoons red curry paste in a medium bowl; add 2 cups rice and toss until thoroughly coated. Arrange in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until crisp, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet while preparing the rest of the salad.

    a photo of the rice cooked on the baking sheet

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  2. Meanwhile, whisk 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon each fish sauce and sugar, 2 teaspoons soy sauce and 1 teaspoon ginger in a large bowl; whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil.

    a photo of the sauce ingredients being whisked together

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  3. Place 3 cucumbers on a cutting board and cover with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Smash with a meat mallet or heavy pot until they start to break apart; tear or cut into bite-size pieces. Add the cucumbers to the dressing along with edamame, shallot and chile, if using; toss to coat. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld, about 10 minutes.

    a photo of the cucumbers being smashed and place into the sauce

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  4. Add avocado and 2 tablespoons each cilantro, mint and basil to the salad; toss to coat. Divide among 6 plates; top with the crispy rice. Garnish with more herbs, if desired.

    a recipe photo of the Crispy Rice Salad with Cucumber & Edamame

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

EatingWell.com, September 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

250 Calories
14g Fat
29g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about ¾ cup
Calories 250
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 5g 11%
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Vitamin A 15µg
Vitamin C 12mg 13%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 14%
Folate 89µg
Vitamin K 37µg
Sodium 341mg 15%
Calcium 49mg 4%
Iron 2mg 9%
Magnesium 73mg 17%
Potassium 526mg 11%
Zinc 1mg 10%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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