16 Indian Spiced Rice Salad Recipe You Won't Believe The Taste!
Published on: Mar 30, 2024
Indian cuisine is known for its bold and complex flavors, and one dish that perfectly embodies this is the Indian spiced rice salad. This vibrant and flavorful dish is a great way to introduce yourself to the world of Indian cooking. Combining aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and fluffy basmati rice, this recipe is a party in your mouth. So, put on your apron and get ready to impress your taste buds and your loved ones with this delicious and easy-to-make Indian spiced rice salad.
Leftover Turkey (or chicken) Salad with Indian Spices,...
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Green Onions, Chopped Cilantro Fresh, Cashews
Don't know what to do with all that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving? Give it an Indian twist with this flavorful salad. Tossed with a blend of Indian spices and a tangy dressing, this salad will make you forget you're eating leftovers. Plus, it's a great way to use up any leftover chicken as well!
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Curried Chickpea Salad
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Olive Oil, Onions, Turmeric, Cumin, Ground
Looking for a protein-packed salad that's bursting with flavor? Look no further than this curried chickpea salad. Made with a mix of chickpeas, vegetables, and a creamy curry dressing, this salad is a perfect light lunch or side dish. And with the added benefits of healthy fats and fiber from the chickpeas, it's a nutritious choice as well.
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Indian Inspired Buddha Bowl
Main Ingredients: Flaxseeds, Water, Peas, Olive Oil, Gluten Free Flour
Buddha bowls have become a popular trend in the health world, and for good reason. These bowls are filled with a variety of nutritious ingredients, making them a well-rounded meal. For an Indian twist, try this Indian inspired Buddha bowl filled with colorful vegetables, protein-packed lentils, and flavorful spices.
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Indian Spiced Rice & Lentil Salad
Main Ingredients: Basmati Rice, Dried Lentils, Sliced Almonds, Oil, Red
Rice and lentils are a staple in Indian cuisine, and this salad brings them together in a delicious and nutritious way. The combination of complex carbohydrates from the rice and plant-based protein from the lentils makes this salad a filling and satisfying option. And with the added flavor of Indian spices, it's a taste sensation as well.
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Indian Goddess Dressing
Main Ingredients: Plain Yogurt, Olive Oil, Cilantro Leaves, Mint Leaves
No salad is complete without a delicious dressing, and this Indian goddess dressing is sure to please. Made with a blend of spices, herbs, and yogurt, this dressing is creamy, tangy, and full of flavor. It's the perfect accompaniment to any Indian inspired salad.
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Curried Rice Salad with Black Chickpeas and Mango
Main Ingredients: Onion, Garlic, Cumin Seeds, Large Tomato, Ground Cumin
This colorful and flavorful salad is a perfect summer dish. The combination of curry spices, sweet mango, and nutritious black chickpeas makes for a refreshing and satisfying meal. And with the added benefits of antioxidants from the mango, it's a healthy choice as well.
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Curried Rice Salad
Main Ingredients: Water, Kosher Salt, Jasmine Rice, Mayonnaise, Low Fat
If you're a fan of simple and easy salads, this curried rice salad is the perfect choice. Made with just a handful of ingredients, including rice, vegetables, and curry powder, this salad is a great option for a quick lunch or side dish. It's also a great way to use up any leftover rice you may have.
This spicy cucumber salad is a perfect side dish for any Indian meal. Made with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a blend of spices and herbs, this salad is both refreshing and flavorful. And with the added benefits of vitamins and minerals, it's a great way to add more nutrition to your meals.
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Indian Chaat Salad
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Cucumber, Onion, Vinaigrette, Lemon Juice
Chaat is a popular street food in India, and this salad is inspired by those flavors. Made with a mix of crunchy vegetables, sweet and tangy chutneys, and crispy chickpea noodles, this salad is a perfect balance of textures and flavors. It's a great way to add some excitement to your salad game.
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Indian Cucumber Salad (Kachumber)
Main Ingredients: Roasted Peanuts, Medium Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion
This simple and refreshing salad is a staple in Indian cuisine. Made with cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, this salad is bursting with freshness and crunch. And with the added flavor of lemon juice and cilantro, it's a perfect accompaniment to any spicy Indian dish.
Similar to the kachumber salad, this Indian cucumber salad is a simple and refreshing side dish. Made with cucumbers, tomatoes, and mint, this salad is a great way to add some cooling and hydrating ingredients to your meal. It's also a great way to use up any extra cucumbers you may have.
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Indian Carrot Salad
Main Ingredients: Yogurt Low Fat, Carrots, Red Onions, Vegetable Oil
Carrots are a staple in Indian cuisine, and this salad showcases them in all their glory. Made with shredded carrots, raisins, and spices, this salad is a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. It's a great way to add some color and nutrition to your plate.
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Indian Spinach Salad
Main Ingredients: Cauliflower, Radishes, Avocado Oil, Salt, Pepper
Spinach is a nutrient powerhouse, and this salad takes full advantage of its benefits. Tossed with sliced almonds, crumbled feta cheese, and Indian spices, this salad is both flavorful and nourishing. It's a great way to add some greens to your meal.
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Indian Cabbage Slaw
Main Ingredients: Cabbage, Tomatoes, Cilantro, Peanuts, Kosher Salt
Cabbage is a staple in Indian cuisine, and this slaw showcases its versatility. Made with cabbage, carrots, and a tangy yogurt dressing, this slaw is a perfect side dish for any Indian meal. It's also a great way to add some crunch and fiber to your plate.
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Indian slaw
Main Ingredients: Yoghurt, Mayonnaise, Coriander Powder, Cumin Powder
If you're looking for a simple and easy slaw that's bursting with flavor, this Indian slaw is the perfect choice. Made with cabbage, carrots, and a blend of Indian spices, this slaw is a great way to add some heat and flavor to your meal. It's also a great way to use up any leftover cabbage you may have.
Potato salad gets an Indian twist with this flavorful recipe. Made with potatoes, spices, and a creamy dressing, this salad is a perfect side dish for any Indian meal. It's also a great way to add some complex carbohydrates to your plate.
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Indian Spiced Chickpea Salad
Main Ingredients: Beans, Water, Canola Oil, Curry Leaves, Cumin Seeds
Chickpeas are a staple in Indian cuisine, and this salad showcases them in all their glory. Tossed with colorful vegetables, Indian spices, and a tangy dressing, this salad is a perfect blend of flavors and textures. And with the added protein and fiber from the chickpeas, it's a nutritious choice as well.
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Indian Cabbage Salad
Main Ingredients: Green Cabbage, Red Pepper, Green Pepper, Carrots, Red
This simple and refreshing salad is a great way to add some crunch and color to your meal. Made with cabbage, carrots, and a zesty dressing, this salad is a perfect side dish for any Indian meal. It's also a great way to use up any leftover cabbage you may have.
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Spiralized Indian Waldorf Salad
Main Ingredients: Plain Greek Yogurt, Lime Juice, Curry Powder, Ground
This unique take on the traditional Waldorf salad is bursting with Indian flavors. Made with spiralized apples, carrots, and raisins, and tossed with a spicy yogurt dressing, this salad is a perfect blend of sweetness and heat. It's a great way to add some creativity to your salad game.
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Chana Chaat – Indian Chickpea Salad
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Small Red Onion, Cucumber, Cilantro, Green
The Perfect Combination of Spices
Bringing Out the Flavors
The key to making this Indian spiced rice salad stand out is the perfect blend of spices. In Indian cooking, spices are not just used for heat, but each one brings its own unique flavor to the dish. The main spices used in this recipe are cumin, coriander, and garam masala. These spices are toasted in a pan before being added to the rice, which intensifies their flavors and adds a smoky depth to the dish.
Hot or Not?
If you're a fan of spicy food, feel free to add some red chili powder or crushed red pepper to the spice mix. However, if you prefer a milder flavor, you can skip these spices or reduce the amount according to your taste preferences. The beauty of this dish is that you can customize it to your liking, making it perfect for everyone.
Adding Freshness and Crunch
A Rainbow of Vegetables
Apart from the spices, the other star of this dish is the fresh vegetables. This recipe calls for a colorful mix of bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, and red onions, which not only add a vibrant pop of color but also provide a refreshing crunch to the dish. You can also add some cherry tomatoes or green beans for some extra texture and flavor.
The Importance of Fresh Herbs
To balance out the spices and add some freshness, this recipe also calls for a handful of chopped cilantro and mint leaves. These herbs not only add a burst of flavor but also bring a beautiful fragrance to the dish. If you're not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute it with parsley or skip it altogether.
Basmati Rice - The Star of the Dish
The Perfect Rice for Indian Cooking
Basmati rice is a long-grained, fragrant rice that is native to India and is the perfect choice for this dish. It has a nutty and floral aroma that pairs well with the spices and adds a fluffy texture to the salad. It is also a healthier option compared to other types of rice, making it a great choice for a balanced meal.
Cooking the Rice to Perfection
To ensure perfectly cooked rice, it is important to rinse it before cooking to remove any excess starch. Then, for every cup of rice, add one and a half cups of water, and let it cook until all the water is absorbed. Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and let it cool down before adding it to the salad.
Time to Assemble and Enjoy!
Now that you have all the components ready, all you need to do is mix everything together in a bowl, adjust the seasoning according to your taste, and let the flavors marry for at least 30 minutes. This will give the rice enough time to soak up all the flavors, making every bite a burst of deliciousness. Serve the Indian spiced rice salad as a side dish or add some protein like grilled chicken or tofu to make it a complete meal.
With its bold flavors, vibrant colors, and easy preparation, this Indian spiced rice salad is the perfect introduction to Indian cuisine. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to impress your taste buds and your loved ones with this flavorful and healthy dish.
