Black Bean, Rice And Feta Salad — A Bright Summer Salad From Gran Nan’s Kitchen

Recipes From Gran Nan’s Kitchen

Summer grilling, picnics and dining al fresco all call for a cold substantial side dish and we typically turn to potato or pasta salads to satisfy that taste. But if you’re looking for a different, tasty and tangy carb salad, this Black Bean and Rice Salad with feta totally fits that bill.

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Sources: Serving Bowl (similar) | Small Bowl

What Ingredients Are In Black Bean and Rice Salad?

I typically have most of the items in this savory salad on hand and I love that there are several fresh veggies included! The Black Bean and Rice Salad with feta includes:

• Canned black beans
• Rice
• Tomato
• Feta cheese
• Celery
• Green onion
• Italian dressing
• Cilantro or parsley (optional)

What Kitchen Tools Are Needed To Make Black Bean and Rice Salad with Feta?

The prep for this salad is minimal, since only the rice needs to be cooked. While the rice is cooking, the other items can be drained and chopped. The kitchen tools needed include:

• Medium-sized pot with lid
• Measuring cup
• Sharp knife (and I love THIS knife for cutting tomatoes)
• Cutting board
• Can opener
• Can strainer or Colander
• Mixing spoon
• Large serving bowl

Sources: Serving Bowl (similar) | Small Bowl

What Pairs Well With This Black Bean and Rice Salad Recipe?

Any meats you are grilling, serving or taking on a picnic will pair perfectly with this cold salad, including:

• Grilled steak
• Roast pork
• Barbecue chicken
• Brisket
• Grilled fish
• Pork tenderloin
• Fried chicken
• Deli sandwiches
• Hamburgers
• Veggie supper

Sources: Serving Bowl (similar) | Small Bowl

Can This Summer Salad Be Made In Advance?

This is a great side dish to make in advance, up to the point of adding the feta cheese and salad dressing. Actually, it’s advisable to do so, especially if you’re in the midst of preparing a variety of dishes and have lot of other preparations to make.

Any salad leftovers you have will keep beautifully in the fridge. You may need to add additional dressing to taste when serving the leftovers, since the rice will absorb the dressing.

Sources: Serving Bowl (similar) | Small Bowl

Print

Black Bean and Rice Salad (with Feta)

This easy to make salad is a delicious alternative to potato or pasta salad. The addition of fresh vegetables and tangy feta cheese and salad dressing make it the perfect side dish for summer grilling, picnics and pot lucks.

Course cookout, Dinner, Luncheon, picnic, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Black Beans, Feta Cheese, Rice, Salad

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups Cooked Rice (1 cup Uncooked Rice)
• 1 can Black Beans
• 1 1/2 cups Diced Tomatoes (finely diced)
• 1/2 cup Chopped Celery (finely chopped) approx. 1 large stalk
• 1/2 cup Chopped Green Onions (finely chopped) approx. 2 large onions, including the green tops
• 1/2 cup Italian Dressing most recently, I used Kraft Lite Zesty Italian
• 1 pkg Feta Cheese
• 2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Cilantro or Parsley

Instructions

Cook Rice

1. Add two cups of water to the medium-sized pot. Cover the pot with the lid and bring the water to a boil over medium high heat on the stove.

2. Add one cup of rice and several shakes of salt to the boiling water.

3. Cover the pot with the lid and lower the heat to medium. (I like to vent the pot so that the pot won't boil over.)

4. Occasionally check and stir the rice. Once all of the water has been absorbed, remove the rice pot from the heat.

Prep Other Salad Ingredients

1. Open, drain and rinse the can of black beans.

2. Chop tomatoes, celery and green onions.

3. Chop the fresh cilantro or parsley.

4. Measure out Italian salad dressing.

Mix The Salad

1. After the rice has slightly cooled, dump it into a large serving bowl.

2. Add the rinsed and drained black beans.

3. Add the chopped tomatoes, celery and green onions.

4. Add the Italian salad dressing and mix.

5. Add the feta cheese and optional cilantro or parsley.

6. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

As this salad is best served chilled, make sure you allow for ample refrigeration time if you are serving it the same day it is made.

Sources: Serving Bowl (similar) | Small Bowl

I hope you’ll give this zesty side salad a try and let us know what you think!

— Gran Nan

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