Skip to main content

Orange Rice Salad

This flavorful combination of rice, citrus, nuts and raisins makes a popular side dish. Add a protein for a filling and satisfying lunch.
Big bowl of a colorful mixture of rice, orange and parsley.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 1 hour
Makes: 5 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice, cooled
½ cup diced celery
¾ cup raisins or other dried fruit
¼ cup chopped nuts
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon orange juice or vinegar (any type)
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges with juice
¼ teaspoon each salt and black pepper

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Mix all ingredients together in medium-sized bowl.
  4. Chill for an hour to allow flavors to blend.
  5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Try adding ⅔ cup diced green peppers or other crunchy vegetables.
  • No canned mandarin oranges? Use 1 ½ cups fresh orange pieces (cut bite-sized) and ¾ cup orange juice.

Comments

I have made this many times with 3rd graders. We prefer to not have the juice from the mandarin orange cans, but the rest we followed the reicpe and loved it!

This is such a great recipe! We used this as our Thanksgiving "stuffing" this year and it was such a refreshing taste. It has bright color and stores well for leftovers. It also scales up really well for sampling at a food bank. I slice the mandarins into thirds so that each bite gets a little bit of orange instead of whole mandarin slices.

Wonderful, very light for summer time.

I really loved this recipe! Vinegar might add some more zest???

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Fruit Salad
Footed dessert glasses filled with a fruit mix coated in yogurt.

Fruit Salad

A favorite recipe by many of our educators, as it is so easily adaptable and tasty.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Tuna Pasta Salad
Bowl of macaroni noodles with tuna and vegetable cubes.

Tuna Pasta Salad

A perfect dish for any gathering, with macaroni, fresh veggies and a creamy dressing.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Rosanna’s Fry Bread
Platter of stacked golden fry bread.

Rosanna’s Fry Bread

Fry bread was a survival food for many Indigenous People. Today it represents resilience and is enjoyed for holidays, pow wows and other gatherings.
Prepare:
1 hour (includes mixing, resting, and dividing)
Cook:
20 minutes per batch
Makes:
8 pieces
Microwave Fresh Vegetables
Glass containers with potatoes, carrots, broccoli and green beans.

Microwave Fresh Vegetables

Steam-cooking fresh vegetables in the microwave is a quick and easy way to make a healthy side dish for lunch or dinner. The short cooking time preserves nutrients, color and flavor.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Strawberry Kiwi Flavored Water
Glasses of water with strawberry and kiwi slices.

Strawberry Kiwi Flavored Water

A delicious way to flavor your water!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Peach Salsa
Small bowl of a colorful peach and vegetable salsa shown with crackers.

Peach Salsa

A colorful and refreshingly sweet and savory salsa perfect for chips, tacos, or topping fish.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 cups