Name: Crispy Rice Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: For the Salad:; 2 cups cooked day-old rice; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro; ¼ cup chopped fresh mint; ¼ cup chopped green onions; ½ cup shelled edamame; ¼ cup chopped cucumber; ¼ cup shredded carrots; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds; Optional protein: grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu; For the Dressing:; 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

Description

This Crispy Rice Salad is a light, vibrant dish that combines baked crispy rice with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a bold ginger-sesame dressing. Inspired by a viral TikTok trend, it offers an exciting mix of textures—crunchy, crisp, and refreshing—making it a delicious choice for lunch, meal prep, or a creative side dish. It’s easily customizable and vegan-friendly too!

Ingredients

For the Salad:
2 cups cooked day-old rice
1 tablespoon sesame oil
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup chopped fresh mint
¼ cup chopped green onions
½ cup shelled edamame
¼ cup chopped cucumber
¼ cup shredded carrots
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Optional protein: grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu
For the Dressing:
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

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Instructions

Crisp the rice:
Spread day-old rice on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon sesame oil and toss to coat. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes, until golden and crispy. Let it cool slightly.
Make the dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, garlic, and your choice of honey or maple syrup.
Assemble the salad:
In a large bowl, combine the crispy rice with cilantro, mint, green onions, edamame, cucumber, and carrots. Add your choice of optional protein if using.
Dress and serve:
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds just before serving.

Notes

Day-old rice crisps better and adds the perfect crunch to the salad.
For a gluten-free option, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
The salad is best served freshly dressed to maintain texture.
Pan-frying the rice is a good alternative if you don’t want to bake it.
Add mango, avocado, or chili flakes to personalize your bowl.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baked & Tossed
Cuisine: Asian