Take a trip out to the wild west with this SouthWestern COWBOY RICE SALAD! Based on the famous Cowboy Caviar, this brown rice salad is filled with bright, zesty flavours, plenty of juicy veggies, nutty brown rice and drizzled with a fabulous SouthWestern lime dressing!
Cowboy Rice Salad
The words “rice” and “salad” do not come naturally for people of Asian background. Rice is to Asians what bread is to Western countries. Growing up, we rarely had bread. In fact, when I visit relatives in Japan, the only reason they would buy bread is for us, thinking that we’ve been so westernised that we must have our bread fix, that rice is not enough!
For clarity, that’s not true. But I always find it funny that they purchase bread just for us!
So rice as a salad? Hmm. I don’t think that even exists in Japan. And I can’t think of a single rice salad from any Asian country – anyone care to enlighten me??
This is the first rice salad I’ve shared here on RecipeTin Eats. (Update: And in 2020, I shared another!) So I wanted to start off with a bang – and this Cowboy Rice Salad is a ripper! It’s a rice salad version of Cowboy Bean Salad which is also known as Cowboy Caviar, a Midwestern salsa/salad that’s popular in the States. Made with tomatoes, capsicum / bell peppers, red onion, corn, beans and coriander/cilantro, Cowboy Caviar is dressed with a fairly sweet vinaigrette then served as a salad or salsa for scooping up with corn chips.
And you know what? The very first thought that popped into my head when I made it was that it would be purrrrrfect to adapt to a rice salad. And it is!
While the salad ingredients are largely the same – except, of course, the addition of rice (*head smack!*) – I opted for a lime dressing which is a bit lighter and has that citrus zing to it.
And I add a touch of spices to the dressing to really drive home that Southwestern flavour. And to give myself the best possible Cowgirl experience. 😇 Because we can all dream. 😂 Of living in the wild, wild west? – Nagi xx
PS I like making this with brown rice because I think the slight nutty flavour is fabulous for salads. But this works just as well with white rice.
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Cowboy Rice Salad
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup lime juice , plus more to taste
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp chipotle powder (sub with smoked paprika + cayenne pepper)
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or 1 garlic clove, minced)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- Black Pepper
Salad:
- 1 red capsicum/bell pepper , diced
- 1 green capsicum/bell pepper , diced
- 1 small red onion , chopped
- 1 x 400g (14oz) corn kernels , drained
- 1 x 400g (14oz) black beans , drained and rinsed
- 3 tomatoes , watery seeds removed then diced
- 1 cup coriander/cilantro leaves , roughly chopped (Note 2)
Instructions
- Place Dressing ingredients in a jar, shake. Taste test, adjust to your taste.
- Place Salad ingredients and rice in a bowl. Drizzle with dressing. Toss, then serve. Fantastic served straight away and even the next day!
Recipe Notes:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Cowboy Rice Salad recipe video!
LIFE OF DOZER
Look who the Easter Bunny remembered to visit…. Don’t worry! They’re dog friendly Easter eggs, they aren’t made of chocolate!!
Hi Nagi – do you think quinoa would be a good substitute for the brown rice?
Love your site, your recipe notes are always fantastic – love it!
Elizabeth
She mentions in her blog about white rice would be an acceptable substitute
Hi Nagi I tasted this salad today in the staff dining room-we always inspect each other’s lunch boxes-get all the details-dive in for a taste when invited-my friend Gidgee said “this is the cowboy rice salad from recipetin eats the site you get all your recipes” It was divine so fresh and healthy-will definitely make this salad rather than stealing a taste!!!
I love hearing that story Kym!! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it! N x
Hi Nagi!
What can I substitute for the oil? Or can I get away with just using less??!😋
Hi Jax! I really feel like oil is necessary in dressings but you can definitely reduce but taste it to see if you think it’s ok 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi, Thanks for the tip on where to get the Chipotle powder – from Harris Farms. I have one close to me, but don’t normally shop there. I’m actually not to sure about using it in case it’s TOO HOT as I don’t like things to be so hot. My hubby likes things HOT – HOT to the extent that I can almost see the smoke coming out of his ears.As he always says – clears the nostrils.
Hi Josephin! Start with just a bit then – then add more to taste! 🙂 PS I love Harris Farms, the Imperfect Picks section is SO GOOD, BARGAINS!
This salad is so fantastic. Took it on a picnic with friends who loved it. So I decided it would be great for a church potluck, no leftovers. Thanks for sharing!
That’s terrific to hear Shannon, thanks for leaving a review! N x
You know what else I think would be fabulous? Substituting Farro for the rice. I’m on a Farro kick 🙂 I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Oooh YES to that! 🙂 N xx
Hi Nagi,
I was interested in the nutrition facts for this recipe? Calories? Love it!
Thsnk you,
LISA
This was really, really good. Although I was expecting to like it (that’s why I made it) it exceeded expectations. I served it with home made pita crisps, and it was a lovely dinner. Makes a ton, so I packed some up and gave it to my daughter and son-in-law. Thanks for a great recipe!
Fantastic! So pleased to hear that Vivian, thank you for letting me know! N xx
Thx so much!
Love the ideas you have. The food is scrumptious!
Thanks John! 🙂
Hi Nagi,
We all loved this one as well.
I served it deconstructed so people could take into account different likes. Everyone liked the dressing, which is something very unusual in our house.
This will be made again.
I am also interested in where to get chipotle seasoning
That’s so fantastic to hear Jenny! Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed it! I find chipotle powder at some fruit & veg stores, at Thomas Dux, Herbies Spices (sold at speciality stores around Syd). But my “go to” is ordering online from this place -> http://www.fireworksfoods.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&category_id=305&product_id=291&Itemid=53&vmcchk=1&Itemid=53 – N xx
Hi Nagi – I love your recipes! I’ve used chipotle powder and smoked paprika once or twice and haven’t like the smoky flavor. What would be a good substitute for the chipotle powder? Thanks much!
Hi Debbie! Normal paprika + pinch of cayenne would be a great non-smokey alternative! N xx
Thanks so much for getting back to me!!! Debbie
Hello. Where can chipotle powder be purchased?
Thx
Hi John! Where do you live? 🙂
Oh, sorry, we are in southern Sydney, where it is always sunny!! ?
Bah! We’ve had more rain this summer than ever in history! What a shocker of a summer 🙂 Though at least it’s cleared up now!
Ummm, Even if it’s raining a lot, Where do you get your Chipotle powder? ?
Harris Farms, Thomas Dux, Heribies and Firework Foods -> http://www.fireworksfoods.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&category_id=305&product_id=291&Itemid=53&vmcchk=1&Itemid=53 🙂
Nagi, you did it again! I have never had a rice salad but I am sold on this. What a brilliant idea!
Hahaha I totally understand what you said about homemade baked goods. Simply irresistible!
Pinning this!
I know, right?? What is it with homemade baked goods!!!
yum! i used to love cowboy caviar as a kid (my mom randomly found the recipe, and it became a really great make ahead lunch). and a little off topic, but salad isn’t really a thing in chinese culture either. most of the time, vegetables are steamed (or fried!), and i feel like they skew towards hot preparations rather than cold.
This Rice Salad looks delicious! I pinned it so I can make it next week!
Perfect post and a lovely recipe. I see this setting next to the pork steak (fläskkarre) we be grilling tomorrow night.
Thanks Nagi..
Hi Nagi, thank you so much for this recipe it was easy and delicious , I like all your recipes I tried many already, oh! please give a big hug to Dozer.
GOSH you tried it already?? Whoot! So pleased you enjoyed it! I would normally oblige your request to give a hug to Dozer but I just took him for a walk where he not only ROLLED in horse ?, he also ATE it too! YUCK!!!!! I have to give him a bath again – I just washed him yesterday! ?
Mmm, totally delcious. I will be making this one this evening, and serve it with one of your gorgeous Chicken dishes. Thanks Nagi. 🙂 Hugs for Dozer, he is so gorgeous.
Usually I would oblige but we just got back from a walk where he not only ROLLED in horse ?, he ATE IT as well. EEEEEWWWWW!!!!
Can’t wait to make this, I just love your recipes. Is this suitable to freeze?
Hi Michelle! I’m so glad you are enjoying my recipes, thank you for the compliment! I don’t recommend freezing this unfortunately 🙂 The vegetables are definitely best served fresh in this, so they are nice and juicy, not watery which is what happens when frozen veg defrosts. N x
Hi Nagi — This looks like the perfect dish to take to a potluck Thursday night, thank you! Your dressing looks like it will be perfect and I can hardly wait to try it. I generally substitute cauliflower for rice and will try it with this salad as well. For any who are curious, I’ve found that grating cauli on the large side of a box grater gives the same texture as rice and takes on favoring very well. (Be sure to put the grater in a bowl or you’ll end up with “grains” all over the place.) I generally microwave a whole grated head for about 4 minutes before adding it to a dish. I love your recipes and am remiss in not complimenting you more often. 🙂
That’s such a great tip Marion! I’ve only made cauli rice by blitzing it in a food processor – a box grater is much smarter!