Crispy Rice Salad

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This crispy rice salad features crispy rice with a hint of red curry and coconut paired with a zesty, umami-packed dressing and loads of fresh herbs. This salad hits all the right notes: sweet, spicy, tangy, and crunchy.

Crispy rice salad with peanuts, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and herbs in a bowl with a wedge of lime beside it.

About the Recipe

If you love texture in your salads, you’ll love this delicious, sweet, crunchy, vibrant, crunchy and tangy salad. The crispy rice adds the crunch paired with a zesty dressing, fresh veggies and herbs for plenty of flavour.

Whether you’re serving this for lunch, a light dinner, or a side for a bigger feast, this salad will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation. Here’s why you’ll love it.

  • Crispy Rice: Baking the rice with red curry paste and coconut flakes turns it into crunchy little bites of flavor. Like delicious little croutons!
  • Bright, Fresh Herbs: The cilantro and mint add a bright layer of flavour that pairs well with the tangy dressing and slightly sweet crispy rice.
  • Customizable: Want to make it heartier? Add crispy tofu, grilled chicken, or shrimp. Feeling fancy? Garnish with crispy shallots for extra crunch.
  • Easy Prep: Cook the rice ahead of time, cool in the fridge until you’re ready then assemble everything while it bakes. Perfect for meal prep or quick weeknight meals.

For more bold Asian-inspired salads, this Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad, Crunchy Ramen Noodle Salad, Kale Peanut Brown Rice Salad and Vermicelli Noodle Salad are all delicious!

Ingredient Notes

All of the ingredients needed for making a crispy rice salad.
  • Rice: Jasmine rice is suggested but you can technically use any variety. If you’re making it day of, spread it on a baking sheet and dry in the fridge until cool
  • Red Curry Paste: Use your favourite variety. I like Thai Kitchen.
  • Sesame Oil: You can use toasted or untoasted sesame oil.
  • Tamari or Soy: Either works. Be sure to use gluten-free tamari if you need the recipe to be gluten-free.
  • Sugar: You can use coconut sugar or brown sugar in the dressing.
  • Chili: Use chili crisp (found in Asian specialty stores) or any chili garlic sauce like sambal oelek or sriracha.
  • Lettuce: Romaine hearts are suggested for the base of the salad.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooked rice in a bowl mixed with coconut and red curry paste.

Step 1: Mix the cooked rice, curry paste, soy sauce, sesame oil and coconut flakes in a large bowl. Season with salt.

Baked rice spread out on a baking sheet.

Step 2: Spread the mixture evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring half way through, until golden and crisp.

Salad dressing with chopped shallot and garlic in a small dish.

Step 3: While the rice bakes, add the oil, soy, lime juice, shallot, rice vinegar, coconut sugar, chili crisp, ginger and garlic to a bowl and whisk.

Peanuts, herbs, cucumber, tomato and lettuce in a large bowl.

Step 4: Mix the lettuce, cucumber, tomato, peanuts and herbs in a large bowl. Add the crispy rice and 3/4 of the dressing and toss to combine.

Divide the salad between plages and drizzle with more dressing and serve right away. If you like, garnish with crispy shallots or serve with your favourite protein like tofu.

Crispy rice salad with lettuce, peanuts, tomato, cucumber and herbs in a bowl with a wedge of lime beside it.

Recipes FAQs

Can I use any type of rice?

Yes! Jasmine rice works best for its fluffy texture, but you can also use basmati, brown rice, or even quinoa. Just make sure it’s cooked, cooled, and slightly dry to get the crispiest texture.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

This salad is best served fresh but to prep ahead, cook the rice and make the salad dressing, storing both in containers in the fridge. When you’re ready to make the salad, bake the rice. While you’re baking the rice, prepare the fresh ingredients. Mix everything and enjoy!

Can I store leftovers?

You can but the rice and fresh ingredients will soften. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days.

Crispy rice salad with peanuts, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and herbs in a bowl with a wedge of lime beside it.

Crispy Rice Salad

This vibrant and satisfying Crispy Rice Salad is loaded with crunchy baked rice, fresh veggies, and a zesty dressing. Packed with bold flavors and textures, it's perfect for a light meal or tasty side dish.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
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Ingredients 

For the Rice

  • 3 cups cooked and cooled rice, (about 385 g cooked)
  • 2-3 tbsp red curry paste
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp soy or tamari
  • ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

For the Dressing

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 2 tbsp soy or tamari
  • 2 tbsp lime juice, approx. juice of one large lime
  • 2 tbsp shallot, minced
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp coconut or brown sugar
  • 2 tsp chili crisp or garlic chili sauce
  • 2 tsp ginger, grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed or grated

For the Salad

  • 4 cups chopped Romaine hearts
  • 2 cups cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup cilantro, finely chopped
  • ½ cup mint leaves, finely chopped
  • ½ toasted peanuts

Instructions 

  • Either make rice the day before and store in the fridge or cook rice according to package directions, then spread out on a sheet tray and chill in the fridge until cooled.
  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • In a large bowl, add cooked rice, curry paste, sesame oil, soy sauce, and coconut flakes. Season with salt, then stir to combine. Spread rice mixture evenly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 20-25 min, stirring halfway through, until golden and crisp. Allow rice to cool slightly before tossing salad.
  • While rice bakes, make the dressing. In a medium bowl, add oil, soy, lime juice, shallot, rice vinegar, coconut sugar, chili crisp, ginger and garlic. Whisk to combine.
  • Prep ingredients for the salad: Chop lettuce, dice cucumber, halve tomatoes and roughly chop herbs and peanuts.
  • Toss Salad and Serve: In a large bowl, add lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, herbs and peanuts. Season with salt and pepper. Add crispy rice to the bowl. Pour three-quarters of the dressing over top, then toss to combine.
  • Divide salad between plates. Drizzle each with more dressing, if desired. Serve immediately. Options for Serving: Garnish with crispy shallots

Notes

Leftover salads can be stored in the fridge but it’s best served fresh. The rice will soften and lettuce will be a bit soggy after storing. To prep in advance, cook and store the rice and make the dressing ahead of time. When you’re ready, prepare the salad while you’re baking the rice, mix everything and enjoy! 

Nutrition

Serving: 1salad, Calories: 384kcal, Carbohydrates: 48g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Sodium: 776mg, Potassium: 480mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 2151IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 75mg, Iron: 2mg
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